Illinois high school football: Top standouts, best performances in Week 1

Jack Elliott led Mount Carmel to an impressive win over East St. Louis

We're taking a look at some of the top standouts and performers from Illinois high school football games in Week 1.

See: Illinois high school football Top 25 scoreboard

Robert Battle, QB, East St. Louis

Battle battled in the top-ranked Flyers’ season-opening 36-33 loss to Mount Carmel at Illinois State. The Lindenwood University pledge accounted for four touchdowns, throwing for 232 yards and two touchdowns and running for 29 yards and two scores.

Jacob Bell, QB, Naperville North

A junior and first-year starter for the Huskies, Bell showcased his dual-threat ability against Homewood-Flossmoor on Friday. The junior threw for 136 yards and a touchdown while adding 36 yards and three scores on the ground to lead the way to a 35-21 win.

Ryan Boe, QB, Batavia

The returning starting quarterback from last year’s 7A runner-up squad, Boe got his senior season started the right way against Phillips on Friday as he threw for 304 yards and three touchdowns and added a rushing touchdown to lead the Bulldogs to a 42-20 win.

Leontre Bradford, DB, East St. Louis

A senior who has committed to Purdue, Bradford was all over the field for the Flyers in their 36-33 loss to Mount Carmel. He recorded a team-high 16 tackles and added a sack.

Brady Brewick, QB, Genoa-Kingston

In Genoa-Kingston’s opener against Rockford Christian, Brewick ignited the Cogs offensive attack as the senior scored three touchdowns on the ground and ran in a 2-point conversion in a 44-8 victory.

Caden Casimino, QB, Crystal Lake South

A senior, Casiminio accounted for five total scores on Friday – three passing and two rushing – to help lead the way for a 41-16 season opening victory over Fox Valley Conference opponent Dundee-Crown.

Martin Cohen, RB, Antioch

Cohen could not be stopped in the Sequoits matchup with Schaumburg on Friday. The junior rushed for five touchdowns in a 42-13 win.

Jason Dowell, DL, Althoff

A junior Division I prospect who transferred from Cahokia, Dowell had a big debut in the Crusaders’ 49-13 road win at John Burroughs (Mo.) on Saturday. He racked up a team-high eight tackles and three sacks.

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See: Illinois' top 25 high school football prospects entering 2023 season

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Mason Ellens, DB, Glenbard West

With the Hilltoppers trailing 6-0 midway through the fourth quarter, Ellens provided a much-needed spark with a 94-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. His big play proved to be the difference as Glenbard West defeated Marist 7-6.

Jack Elliott, QB, Mount Carmel

Elliott passed a tough test in his first varsity start against top-ranked East St. Louis in a battle of the state's two winningest programs. The junior passed for 108 yards and a touchdown and ran for 177 yards and a score as the Caravan held off the Flyers 36-33 at Illinois State.

Terrance Gurley, RB, Morgan Park

A junior, Gurley had a breakout performance in his first varsity start against Richards. He ran for 157 yards on 18 carries with a touchdown during the Mustangs' 42-0 victory.

Maison Haas, DB/K/P, Wheaton Warrenville South

A senior, Haas did it all during the Tigers' 12-6 victory over Simeon on Saturday. He led the stout defense from his cornerback spot with two interceptions, he made a 42-yard field goal, and he had punts punts that pinned Simeon deep in their own territory.

Jett Hilding, QB, St. Rita

Hilding had an efficient outing in the season opener against Sandburg. The senior completed seven of 11 passes for 80 yards and two touchdowns and he rushed for 60 yards on 12 carries as the Mustangs earned a 42-21 victory.

Dierre Hill Jr., RB, Althoff

A transfer from Vashon High School in St. Louis, the junior playmaker made an immediate impact for the Crusaders in his debut on Saturday. He returned the opening kickoff on Saturday for a 77-yard touchdown and finished with 149 yards rushing and two more TDs on 11 carries in a 49-13 road win. Teammate Antwan Strong added 94 yards rushing and three TDs.

Keithen Jones, WR, Belleville East

Jones opened his junior season with a breakout performance in the Lancers' 24-21 comeback win over Collinsville. He caught six passes for 171 yards and a touchdown. 

Matt Marusich, WR, Barrington

Marusich had an impressive performance during Barrington’s opener against Warren Township on Friday. The senior captain had three touchdown receptions and blocked a punt as the Broncos won 40-33.

Nasir McKenzie, RB, Hersey

McKenzie helped Hersey live up to all of the hype surrounding the Huskies during the preseason. In their season opener against New Trier, the senior rushed 20 times for 121 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Huskies to a 30-12 win.

Cameron Nickel, LB, Metamora

Nickel, a junior outside linebacker, racked up 14 tackles in the 28-17 win against visiting Sterling.

Tony Phillips, RB, Kankakee

Phillips showed off his breakaway speed in a matchup against last year's 5A state champion Nazareth Academy. The senior running back carried the ball 22 times for 209 yards and two touchdowns – runs of 67 and 40 yards – to help the Kays secure a 33-26 victory.

Chris Pirrone, RB, Lake Zurich

Pirrone answered the call as Lake Zurich’s feature ball carrier during the Bears' 28-7 non-conference win over Fremd. The senior finished with 28 carries for 168 yards and a touchdown to lead the offense.

Ethan Plumb, QB, St. Charles North

Plumb was slinging the ball all over the field during the North Stars' 37-34 thrilling non-conference victory over Palatine. The junior completed 34 of 45 passes for 332 yards and three touchdowns – including the game-winner with 2 minutes to play – and rushed for another score.

Colin Qualls, RB, Triad

Qualls, a senior, opened the season with a career-high five touchdowns in a 56-20 win over visiting Mattoon on Friday. He carried 10 times for 108 yards and added a 34-yard reception. Qualls matched his season total for touchdowns from a year ago.

Michael Rumuro, RB, Geneva

Rumuro had a memorable first game as a part of Geneva’s varsity squad to start the season. The junior carried the Vikings offense as he rushed for 123 yards and 3 scores in a 35-0 victory over Metea Valley.

Tyler Threat, WR/RB, Waubonsie Valley

After a scoreless first half, Threat stepped up and ran wild in the second half of the Warriors' Friday night matchup with Oswego East. The senior ran for 186 yards and three TDs in the second half to lift Waubonsie to a 28-7 victory.

Braden Tischer, QB, Lincoln-Way East

Tischer helped lead a dominant effort against a talented Kenwood Academy team. The senior quarterback and returning starter from last year's 8A runner-up team threw for 160 yards and three touchdowns to three different receivers in a 52-12 win.

Armon Vinson, QB, Belleville East

The senior quarterback threw for 413 yards and two touchdowns (and two interceptions) and ran for another score in a 24-21 comeback win over Collinsville. Vinson connected with Justin Spears for a 30-yard TD pass with 29 seconds left for the go-ahead score.

Gavin Wade, DB, Naperville Central

Wade was the difference-maker and led a stout defensive effort for the Redhawks on Friday. The junior had an interception on the opening drive to set up a score and had several key pass break-ups in the second half to help Naperville Central pull out a 14-10 victory over Hinsdale Central.

Cam Williams, WR, Glenbard South

A Notre Dame pledge, Williams showed out in his debut after transferring to Glenbard South. He caught seven passes for 153 yards and three touchdowns and returned two kickoff returns for scores in a 56-21 win over East Aurora.

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NOTE: To nominate a player for the top performances list, please email SBLive Regional Editor Nate Latsch at latsch@scorebooklive.com or via Twitter/X at @natelatsch.

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