Peoria area's top IHSA performances in Week 1 of 2023 high school football season
The 2023 high school football season is here.
Each week, the Journal Star will take a look at the top-performing teams and players from weekend games across the Peoria area.
Players from Morton, Notre Dame and Deer Creek-Mackinaw lead our list for Week 1.
Week 1 recap and scores: Postponements, dramatic rallies lead opening week of IHSA football season
Jack Hanley, Notre Dame
The Irish running back came out of the gates quick to help Notre Dame to a 33-12 victory over rival Manual in a Big 12 Conference game at Richwoods. Hanley ran for 130 yards and three touchdowns as PND opened a 20-0 lead after one quarter. Lawson Alwan added 98 rushing yards for the Irish.
Maliek Ross, Peoria High
Ross proved to be a bright spot in Peoria High's 40-14 loss to Rochester. The senior running back rushed for 109 yards on 17 carries to go with a touchdown. After running for 71 yards in the first half, Ross posted 38 third-quarter yards including a 27-yard carry.
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Nick Rhoades, Metamora
Rhoades combined for 216 yards (134 passing, 82 rushing) as Metamora knocked off state-ranked Sterling, 28-17. He threw a pair of TD passes to Kendrick Schaffrin (60 and 24 yards) as Malone Field debuted its artificial turf. In throwing no interceptions, Rhoades went 7-for-12 passing and averaged nearly six yards a carry on 14 attempts.
Lane Wheelwright, Farmington
Wheelwright made the most of his first varsity start, accounting for six TDs as Farmington beat Illini West, 39-12. The junior ran for four and tossed a pair of scores to Keauntrey Barnes. Wheelwright passed for 242 yards and rushed for 102 as the Farmers were forced to finish the game Saturday after a weather delay.
Brett Michel and Seandon Buffington, Morton
The running back duo dominated for the Potters, rolling up a combined 346 yards in a 20-14 home victory over Mahomet-Seymour. Michel ran for 146 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries. He also added clutch, TD-saving tackles and an interception in the fourth quarter. Buffington ran 22 times for 200 yards, scoring the game-winning TD with 1:34 left in the third quarter.
Brent Denniston and Tyce Albritton, Deer Creek-Mackinaw
The running back duo dominated for the Chiefs in a 54-13 road victory over Chicago Academy. Denniston ran for 144 yards and added both a passing and rushing touchdown. Albritton rolled up 96 combined yards (63 rushing, 34 receiving) and four total touchdowns including a punt return for Dee-Mack, which led 48-0 at halftime.
Kainon McQueary, Washington
The senior running back ran for the game-winning score with under a minute to play, sending the Panthers to a 33-27 road victory over Maple Park Kaneland. Washington drove 80 yards with under two minutes to play to break the tie and open coach Darrell Crouch's final season with a victory. He finished with 235 yards on 25 rushes with three TDs.
Eddie Lorton, Fieldcrest
The Knights running back ran for 111 yards and three touchdowns on 26 carries to help Fieldcrest hold off Dwight, 20-19, and open the season with a home victory. Dwight scored in the final moments, but Fieldcrest stopped the two-point conversion to grab the win.
Mason Boles, Eureka
Boles was all over the field in Eureka's 49-6 win against Canton. Offensively, he totaled 77 yards (55 rushing, 22 receiving) and three TDs — two rushing and one receiving. The senior posted 10 tackles and one sack to go with a forced fumble and recovery.
Tayshaun Keiser, Princeville
The Princes star rolled up 183 yards and two touchdowns in a 30-13 victory over Abingdon-Avon. He rushed for 163 yards and a TD and added another 20 receiving yards and a score along with an interception. Logan Carruthers added 114 yards passing with three TDs, including a pair to Jake Williams.
Nolan McClay, Knoxville
The junior running back ran for 161 yards on 16 carries and scored two touchdowns to lead the Blue Bullets to a 26-8 victory over Elmwood/Brimfield (0-1, 0-1) in the first game of the newly formed LincolnLand Conference.
Jackson Oldham, Dunlap
The running back had a breakout game, rushing for 166 yards and three TDs in Dunlap's 53-14 win over Galesburg on Friday. Oldham carried it 11 times and averaged 15.1 yards per carry in the process.
Luke Goss, Pekin
Goss' first varsity start proved to be a big win, accounting for three TDs as Pekin beat Rolling Meadows, 19-7 on Friday. He went 10-for-17 with 144 passing yards and two scores. Goss then added 22 yards rushing and a four-yard score.
Bryce Ratcliff, Illinois Valley Central
The IVC junior quarterback threw for 326 yards and five TDs as Paxton-Buckley-Loda came back for a 46-39. He went 25-for-38, connecting with his favorite target, Ryan Adler, who caught 10 balls for 127 yards and 3 TDs.
Namolos Thompson, Manual
Thompson rushed for 95 yards and a TD as the Rams fell to Peoria Notre Dame, 33-12. He carried it 12 times, averaging 7.9 yards a rush.
Ty Fuller, Tremont
Fuller had a big-time receiving game in a 43-6 loss to Clinton. He posted 132 receiving yards including a 93-yard score in the fourth quarter.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: IHSA football: Peoria top performers from high school football Week 1
