Vote: Who should be SBLive’s Michigan Athlete of the Week? (10/24/23)

Here are the candidates for SBLive’s Michigan Athlete of the Week from Oct. 16-22

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 computer rankings entering the playoffs (10/23/2023)

Michigan high school football playoff brackets: 2023 state tournament matchups, game times

Michigan High School Athlete of the Week

Eli Boyce, Holland Christian

Senior quarterback Eli Boyce threw a perfect 24-for-24, setting a state record, with 248 passing yards and four passing touchdowns as Holland Christian cruised past Hudsonville Unity Christian, 49-20. 

Bryce Underwood, Belleville

Junior quarterback continues to show his generational talent as he led Belleville to a 42-0 win over Northville. Underwood totaled six touchdowns in the game as he ran for two and threw for four more. 

Tryce Tokar, Ovid-Elsie

Junior quarterback Tryce Tokar threw for 324 passing yards and four passing touchdowns as Ovid-Else edged Standing-Sterlish, 28-27. 

Michael Bush, Linden

Senior Michael Bush did just about a little bit of everything for Linden despite their 30-13 loss to Mount Pleasant. Bush compiled 19 tackles on the defensive side, while also throwing for 161 passing yards on 19 completions on offense. Bush also made two field goals and one extra point. 

Braden Buckley, Merrill

Junior quarterback Braden Buckley threw for 304 passing yards and four passing touchdowns, while also rushing for 109 yards and one rushing touchdown to lead Merrill over Webberville, 46-14. 

Luke Johnson, Oxford

Junior running back and linebacker Luke Johnson ran for 215 yards on 23 attempts and three rushing touchdowns while compiling 13 tackles on defense as Oxford defeated Detroit Jesuit, 24-21. 

Conner Temple, Eisenhower

Junior wide receiver Conner Temple continues to shine as he totaled 142 receiving yards on six receptions and two touchdowns to help Eisenhower over Clarkston, 36-19. 

Jesse Phillips Jr, Grand Rapids Union

For the second consecutive week, sophomore running back and safety Jesse Phillips Jr. showed out for Grand Rapids Union in a dominating 60-25 win. Phillips would run the ball 40 times for 253 rushing yards and three touchdowns, while adding six tackles, three tackles for losses, one forced fumble, and two pass deflections on defense. 

Billy Roberson, Lake Orion

Lake Orion needed every bit of Roberson in their close win to over Saline. He scored three touchdowns on 30 carries and 150 yards.

Jaxon McCaig, Plymouth

Senior running back Jaxon McCaig had himself a career performance in Plymouth’s 42-21 win against Livonia Churchill. McCaig set a school record of 327 total yards of offense with four rushing touchdowns. 

Xavion Harrington, South Haven

Senior running back Xavion Harrington ran the football 12 times for 280 yards and four touchdowns as he led South Haven over Kalamazoo United, 44-42. 

Aubree Ervans, Reading

In girls volleyball, junior Aubree Ervans notched a double-double as Reading defeated Union City, 3-2. Ervans finished the match with 33 assists and 13 digs, while adding two total blocks, four aces, and eight kills. 

Nevea Gauthier, Shelby

Junior Nevea Gauthier notched a double-double as she finished the match 34 kills and 19 digs, while adding four aces, and one total block in a 3-0 win over Hart. 

Christina Williams, Dansville

Dansville’s Christina Williams would compile 54 kills, 35 digs, and 14 aces in the CMAC tournament as she led them to a runner-up finish. 

Boden Fernsler, Novi

Fernsler was a force through the air for Novi in a win over Westland John Glen. He caught seven passes for 156 yards and three touchdowns. 

Josh Mayes, Roscommon

In boys soccer, junior Josh Mayes finished with one goal and five assists in Roscommon’s 3-0 win over Alcona. 

Matthew Palmer, Williamston

Senior Matthew Palmer would score both goals for Williamston as he led them to a huge playoff win over Portland, 2-1. 

Jackson Conn, Ithaca

Conn threw for three touchdown passes in Ithaca's 49-0 win over Shepherd. He finished with 228 passing yards. He also ran for 66 yards and one touchdown. 

Tristen Elizalde, Nouvel

Elizalde was great for Nouvel. He caught five passes for 102 yards and two touchdowns. 

Jacob Jensen, Midland Dow

Jensen was a dual threat against Midland High. He ran for 148 yards and two touchdowns while throwing for 150 yards.

Izaiah Wright, Gibraltar Carlson

Wright exploded on the ground in a win over Lincoln Park. He rushed 25 times for 209 yards and four touchdowns. 

Ryan Clark, Oxford

Clark scored the game-winning goal against Lake Orion on Oct. 16 for a 2-1 win in the district semifinal.

Fiona Moord, Leland

Moord had 20 kills in a 3-2 victory over Kingsley to clinch the Northwest Conference championship. 

Codey Manley, Belding

Manley scored three rushing touchdowns in a win over Howard Tri City Country.

Anthony Szubinski, Belding

Szubinski rushed for three touchdowns on four carries, and finished with 11 rushing yards.


Jack Butler contributed to this article.

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