Patrick McGavin – Page 21

No Mark Mennecke. No Jaden McGee. But Neuqua Valley has Silvano Spatafora, who will remember this one.

September 17, 2022 at 12:27 p.m.

Neuqua Valley junior Silvano Spatafora won't forget his first carry as the starting running back. It began as a simple run up the gut meant to establish the Wildcats' physical...

West Aurora's Loretto Lopez (11) gains control of the ball against Romeoville during a Southwest Prairie Conference game in Aurora on Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2022.

The book on Matthew: Lopez-Martinez plays three positions, scores game-tying goal for West Aurora. ‘He puts fear into people.’

September 14, 2022 at 10:55 a.m.

It doesn't bother senior Matthew Lopez-Martinez that West Aurora coach Joe Sustersic likes to experiment with his lineup. The more positions he plays, the better he plays. Tuesday's game was...

Gabe Willis realizes he’s an unusual defensive end. But don’t underestimate Neuqua Valley’s 5-foot-8 senior. ‘He is a quarterback’s worst nightmare.’

September 13, 2022 at 1:34 p.m.

Neuqua Valley senior Gabe Willis upends basic theories about his position. Willis — all 5 feet, 8 inches of him — plays defensive end. His size just makes him hyperaware...

St. Charles East's Mason Brockmeyer (20) battles a Lake Park defender during a DuKane Conference game in St. Charles on Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2022.

Fast & More Furious: Mason Brockmeyer finds another gear as senior forward for St. Charles East. ‘That makes him very lethal.’

September 12, 2022 at 1:16 p.m.

It didn't take long for St. Charles East's Mason Brockmeyer to get to here from there. The schedule made sure of that. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Illinois High...

Naperville Central's Joey LoDuca (9) moves the ball up the field against Naperville North's Ryan Konrad during a DuPage Valley Conference game in Naperville on Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2021.

Patrick Z. McGavin’s Aurora, Elgin and Naperville boys soccer rankings and player of the week for Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2022

September 12, 2022 at 11:32 a.m.

Top 10 With records through Sunday and previous rankings in parentheses. 1. Naperville North 6-2-1 (1) Versatile sophomore Connor Hanrahan is an elite defender for Huskies. 2. Naperville Central 9-2...

Evergreen Park's Antonio Clay-Jones reacts after scoring a touchdown against Oak Lawn during a South Suburban Red game in Evergreen Park on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2022.

Answering the call: Antonio Clay-Jones steps in, steps up with 3 TDs as Evergreen Park stymies Oak Lawn. ‘I had to be ready to play.’

September 9, 2022 at 11:35 p.m.

Junior running back Antonio Clay-Jones had no time to get nervous about his debut as a starter for Evergreen Park. Replacing injured junior Jedidiah Adjayi, Clay-Jones flashed explosiveness and elusiveness...

Elgin's Edgar Perez heads the ball against East Aurora during an Upstate Eight Conference game in Aurora on Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2022.

Red alert: Julian Orozco puts up stop sign as Elgin rolls to fourth shutout in five games. ‘I want to be that player that disrupts.’

September 8, 2022 at 10:59 a.m.

Senior defender Julian Orozco is cut from a different cloth for Elgin. As one of the Maroons' central backs, Orozco is tasked with consolidating the defense and helping build the...

Waubonsie Valley's Lachlan Ladd (7) shields the ball against West Aurora's Elijah Wilson during a nonconference game in Aurora on Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2022.

On the lookout: Lachlan Ladd moves to left forward, all turns out right for Waubonsie Valley. ‘When you win and score goals, it’s so exciting.’

September 6, 2022 at 12:17 p.m.

Waubonsie Valley sophomore Lachlan Ladd is always on the lookout for something different. After the Warriors started the season with two shutout defeats in losing their first three games, coach...

Former Naperville Central kicker Aidan Ellison’s younger brother Logan is making a name for himself too: ‘The sky’s the limit with him.’

September 6, 2022 at 1:22 p.m.

Naperville Central junior Logan Ellison is not a knockoff. Two years after his older brother, Aidan, completed a superb kicking career for the Redhawks, Logan Ellison is a great deal...

Patrick Z. McGavin’s Aurora, Elgin and Naperville boys soccer rankings and player of the week for Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2022

September 6, 2022 at 8:36 a.m.

Top 10 With records through Monday and previous rankings in parentheses. 1. Naperville North 5-2 (3) Senior defender Adam Zielke is a two-way threat for Huskies. 2. Naperville Central 4-2...

All Stories