Vote: Who should be SBLive’s Michigan Athlete of the Week? (10/17/2023)

Here are the candidates for SBLive’s Michigan Athlete of the Week from Oct. 9-15

Here are the candidates for the SBLive Michigan High School Athlete of the Week.

Read through the nominees and cast your vote. Voting will conclude Sunday at 11:59 p.m. and the winner will be announced Monday.

If you would like to make a nomination in a future week, please email athleteoftheweek@scorebooklive.com with “MIHSAW Nomination” in the subject line.

Editor’s Note: Our Athlete of the Week feature and corresponding poll is intended to be fun, and we do not set limits on how many times a fan can vote during the competition. However, we do not allow votes that are generated by script, macro or other automated means. Athletes that receive votes generated by script, macro or other automated means will be disqualified.

Michigan high school football: Meet the top freshman in 2023

Top 25 Michigan high school football rankings (10/17/2023)

SBLive's Michigan Athlete of the Week

Blake Sloan, Manchester

Sloan was a bright spot in a loss to Michigan Center. He scored three rushing touchdowns. He finished with 302 rushing yards on 34 carries.

Hadyn Hinkle, Michigan Center

Hinkle led the Cardinals to victory over Manchester with 186 passing yards and two passing touchdowns. He also rushed for a touchdown.

Jack Reid, Grass Lake

Grass Lake defeated Leslie 32-6, and Reid led the Warriors' defense with 13 tackles

Brayden Florian, Chesaning

Florian had 378 rushing yards and five total touchdowns in a win over Otisville-LakeVille.

Markwe Heard, Saginaw United

Heard was fantastic for the Saginaw United defense. Heard had 14 tackles in a 26-12 loss to Flint Carman-Ainsworth, and he also scored on a touchdown run. 

Preston Otter, Nouvel

Otter ran for 115 yards on 16 rushes and two touchdown runs. He also threw for 166 yards and two passing touchdowns. He also made eight tackles on defense.

Trannon Aylor, Whitehall

Aylor was a touchdown machine for Whitehall. He had two touchdown receptions, and he returned an interception for a touchdown. 

Jalen Brown, Midland

Brown put on a show in a 41-24 win over Lapeer. He rushed for 250 yards on 33 carries and four touchdown runs.

Cory Pecynski, Kent City

Pecynski had one sack and 13 tackles in a win over Kalkaska.

Braylon Isom, Saginaw Heritage

Senior wide receiver Braylon Isom had a historical performance as Saginaw Heritage knocked off Flint Powers, 41-6. Isom caught six passes for 129 yards and three touchdowns as he tied the Michigan high school career touchdown record of 45. 

Aidan Grzesikowski, Lamphere

Junior quarterback and safety Aidan Grzesikowski would have a game for Lamphere in their 41-14 win over Clawson. Grzesikowski completed 11 of his 17 passes for 295 passing yards and four passing touchdowns, while adding four tackles and two pass deflections on defense. 

Jacob Speller, Cranbrook-Kingswood

Senior wide receiver Jacob Speller hauled in 12 receptions for 213 receiving yards and one touchdown despite Cranbrook-Kingswood 42-7 loss against Riverview Gabriel Richard. 

Ryan Ahern, Rockford

Senior linebacker Ryan Ahern compiled 20 tackles while adding an interception as Rockford got a crucial win over Grandville, 34-13. 

Cam Gunsell, Ludington

Sophomore quarterback Cam Gunsell was doing it all for Ludington in their 41-14 win against Muskegon Orchard View. Gunsell would run for 231 yards on 19 attempts and four touchdowns, while adding 100 passing yards and two passing touchdowns, completing 7 of his 9 passes. 

Kellen Russell-Dixon, Grand Rapids Catholic Central

For the second consecutive week, senior running back and cornerback Kellen Russell-Dixon shined with his performance for Grand Rapids Catholic Central. Russell-Dixon totaled 32 carries for 340 rushing yards and three touchdowns, while adding eight tackles and one interception in GRCC’s 21-12 win over South Christian. 

Hassan Sareini, Dearborn

Senior linebacker Hassan Sareini totaled 10 tackles, three tackles for loss, one pass breakup, and one fumble recovery on the defensive side of the ball, while adding 33 rushing yards and one touchdown on four carries. 

Nick Earles, Greenville

Senior running back Nick Earles totaled 296 yards on 28 carries as Greenville picked up a 35-13 victory over Grand Rapids Christian.

Ethan Moore, Westland John Glenn

Junior running back Ethan Moore led Glenn to a 34-28 win against Livonia Franklin as totaled 211 rushing yards on just eight carries, and scored touchdowns on runs of 68 and 78 yards. 

Jesse Phillips Jr, Grand Rapids Union

Sophomore running back and safety Jesse Phillips Jr carried the ball 22 times for 102 rushing yards and one touchdown, while earning three pancake blocks. Phillips Jr also totaled two tackles, two pass deflections, and one interception in a 51-6 loss to Muskegon. 

Miley Southland, Three Rivers

In girls volleyball, sophomore Miley Southland notched a double-double as she totaled 46 assists and 10 digs to go along with two blocks, and one kill in a 3-2 win over Sturgis. 

Iyla Weeks, Concord

Junior Iyla Weeks notched a double-double as she finished with 34 kills and 18 digs to go along with three total blocks in Concord’s 3-2 match win against Reading. 

Mackenzie Scheid, Coldwater

Senior Mackenzie Scheid notched a double-double as she totaled 17 kills and 12 digs while adding three aces, and two blocks in a 3-0 loss to Harper Creek. 

Daniel Mung, Battle Creek Academy

In boys soccer, Daniel Mung scored four goals for Battle Creek Academy as they defeated Olivet, 5-4. 

Aiden Pulling, Portland

Senior Aiden Pulling notched a hat trick as he finished with three goals in the Raiders’ 4-1 win over Lansing Catholic in the Division 3 district opener. 

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