These Friday Night Lights stars shined the brightest: Cast your vote for the Hometeam Football Player of the Week
With the fifth week of high school football in the books, Rich Garven takes a look at some of the top performances.
Comgratulations to St. Paul's Angelo Scavone for taking the top spot in last week's poll, gaining 1,159 votes (36.2 percent) to hold off Shepherd Hill's Devin Rowden (547 votes) for the honor.
More: Who leads the way? Check out the Hometeam Central Mass. high school football standings, leaders
Matt Agnese, Lunenburg
The junior quarterback made plays in the air and on the ground as the Blue Knights rallied to defeat Ayer-Shirley, 22-16. Agnese was 10 of 17 passing for 175 yards and a touchdown, completed two conversion passes and snapped a tie with a 1-yard plunge in the fourth quarter.
Jake Attaway, Hudson
The 6-foot, 190-pound senior quarterback had a hand in 48 of the undefeated Hawks’ 63 points in their win over Mid-Wach C rival Maynard. Attaway rushed for four touchdowns (12 carries, 226 yards), passed for three TDs (7 of 12, 108) and returned a punt 60 yards for a score.
Abdul Bangura, Millbury
The 6-foot-2, 210-pound senior defensive end/kicker was a two-phase contributor as the undefeated Woolies edged Northbridge, 10-7. Bangura converted an extra point and a 24-yard field goal in the second quarter to cap the scoring and was disruptive up front for a stout D.
Brayden Belanger, Auburn
The 5-foot-11, 195-pound sophomore running back took up residency in the end zone as the Rockets topped Fitchburg, 42-13. Belanger scored three touchdowns – one in each of the first three quarters, on runs of 5, 15 and 54 yards – and now has 17 TDs in 15 career games.
More: 'The proof's in the pudding': Auburn football coach Jeff Cormier collects 200th career win
Brady Chapman, Westborough
The senior receiver/defensive back had a nose for the ball in the Rangers’ 50-26 win over Shepherd Hill. Chapman caught four passes for 123 yards and a touchdown, rushed for a 26-yard TD on his only carry and came up with his second interception of the season.
Kellen Clarkson, Oxford
The 6-foot-1 177-pound quarterback/safety shined on offense and defense in the Pirates’ 28-22, come-from-behind victory over Abby Kelley. Clarkson rushed for a 14-yard touchdown and a conversion, passed for a 17-yard TD with 1:07 remaining and then came up with an interception.
Brandon Denham, Tantasqua
The 5-foot-5, 150-pound junior running back slashed and dashed his way past Doherty while leading the Warriors to a 41-34 victory. Denham rushed for 175 yards and three touchdowns on 20 carries, reaching the end zone on runs of 3, 3 and 15 yards along with a conversion rush.
Dylan Devine, Nashoba
The junior quarterback/defensive back made a trio of impact plays in the fourth quarter as the Wolves came back to defeat Marlborough, 14-13. Devine blocked an extra point, ran for a 51-yard touchdown with 1:10 to play to forge a tie and sealed the win with an interception.
Will Mahoney, Algonquin
It was thrice as nice for the senior quarterback as the Titans rallied to defeat Shrewsbury, 36-28, in overtime. Mahoney passed for two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, the second with 15 seconds left to tie the score, before giving the Titans their only lead with a scoring strike in OT.
Austin McCormick, Grafton
The 5-foot-10, 270-pound senior defensive tackle was a disruptive presence as the Gators remained undefeated with a 21-3 win over Holliston. McCormick collected 14 tackles and a whopping five sacks to boost his Central Mass.-leading totals to 44 and six, respectively.
Marcelo Pereira, Clinton
The junior running back/defensive back/kicker made plays on offense, defense and special teams as the Gaels defeated Assabet Valley, 42-6. Pereira rushed for 28 yards and a touchdown on three carries, intercepted his second pass of the season and made all six extra-points attempts.
Connor Rice, West Boylston
The senior quarterback/kicker was proficient and productive as the Lions topped Leicester, 43-6. Rice completed 2 of 4 passes, both going for touchdowns of 59 and 20 yards, rushed for 53 yards and a TD on three carries and converted all five of his extra-point attempts.
Brason Sauriol, Quaboag
The senior running back/linebacker was a playmaker on both sides of the ball while leading the Cougars to a 30-18 win over North. Sauriol rushed for 118 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries, caught three passes for 60 yards and a TD and collected 10 tackles and a sack.
Lawrence Smith, Bartlett
The 5-foot-11, 170-pound junior quarterback hit the century mark for the fourth straight game as the Warriors topped Minuteman Tech, 30-8. Smith rushed for 159 yards, averaging 9.4 yards on 17 carries, after running for 134, 147 and 189 yards in the first three games of the season.
Jameson and Jeremiah Williams, St. Bernard’s
These siblings were superb while helping the Bernardians defeat Nipmuc, 52-28, to break into the win column. Jameson, a senior, rushed for 86 yards and three touchdowns on 11 carries and caught a TD pass while Jeremiah, a junior, amassed 184 yards and three TDs on 14 carries.
Nick Whitlock, Valley Tech
The 6-foot, 175-pound senior receiver was an inviting target as the Beavers took to the air to down Worcester Tech, 34-0. Whitlock caught six passes for 145 yards and three touchdowns, scoring on strikes of 61, 30 and 26 yards.
Cast Your Vote
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Vote for the Hometeam Football Player of the Week
