Milwaukee-area prep football rankings, players and teams of the week
Mark Stewart
The Journal Sentinel's rankings, players and teams of the week after Week 1 of the 2017 prep football season.
AREA TOP 10
School, record, LW
1. Franklin (1-0) 1
2. Waukesha West (1-0) 2
3. Brookfield Central (1-0) 3
4. Catholic Memorial (1-0) 4
5. Brookfield East (1-0) 5
6. Homestead (1-0) 6
7. Whitefish Bay (1-0) 7
8. Arrowhead (1-0) 8
9. Oak Creek (1-0) 9
10. Badger (1-0) 10
FEATURED WEEK 1 COVERAGE
Homestead 55, Port Washington 14
Brookfield East 25, Wauwatosa West 6
How the area top 10 fared | Stats leaders
Friday night box scores, stats
ATHLETES OF THE WEEK
OFFENSE
Tony Steger, Kewaskum: An all-conference receiver last season, the senior had a big night in his first game as the starting quarterback. He scored touchdowns rushing, passing and receiving and accounted for 210 total yards in a 44-27 victory over Milwaukee Lutheran Friday. The 6-0, 185-pounder completed eight of 11 passes for 136 yards, ran eight times for 74 yards and caught two passes for 47 yards, including a 27-yard touchdown grab in the second quarter. If that wasn’t enough, his 30-yard kickoff return to start the game led to the team’s first score.
HONORABLE MENTION
Isiah Wright, Milwaukee Bay View: The senior accounted for 485 total yards and five touchdowns in a 33-32 loss to St. Francis Friday. He completed 15 of 33 passes for 256 yards and four touchdowns and ran 18 times for 229 yards and another touchdown.
Brady Ward, Grafton: In his first start at quarterback, the junior accounted for five touchdowns in the Black Hawks’ 49-18 victory over West Bend West Friday. He ran for 115 yards and a touchdown in 11 carries and completed eight of 16 passes for 121 yards and four touchdowns.
DEFENSE
Eli Rivera, Shorewood/Messmer: This year marked the first time since the Greyhounds resumed their rivalry with Milwaukee King that they defeated the Generals to win the Capitol Cup. Rivera, a senior end/outside linebacker, had nine tackles, eight solo, in the 20-14 victory Friday. Six of those tackles went for a loss and two and a half were sacks. He also recovered a fumble to help the team start 1-0 for the first time since 2012.
HONORABLE MENTION
Brian Konz, Burlington: The 6-2, 200-pound junior defensive end blocked a punt that was returned for a touchdown in the Demons’ 28-21 victory over South Milwaukee Friday and with 1 minute left deflected a pass that led to an interception that sealed the victory. He finished with 3½ tackles.
Jake Kaiser, Catholic Memorial: The 6-5, 231-pound defensive end finished with 11 tackles, including seven for loss, in the Crusaders' 48-9, victory over Mukwonago Friday. Three of those TFLs were sacks. He also forced two fumbles.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Egan Iwanski, New Berlin West: The senior kicker hit two field goals and helped his team win the field-position battle in a 26-10 victory over Elkhorn. He hit field goals of 30 and 33 yards in the first and second halves. Also, five of his six kickoffs were touchbacks and his two punts averaged 42 yards with a long of 52.
TEAMS OF THE WEEK
Racine Park: The area’s longest losing streak bit the dust Friday when the Panthers defeated Pius XI, 13-8, to break a 24-game run. Sophomore Ricky Canady’s 7-yard touchdown pass to senior Adan Matsen with 11 minutes 28 seconds left was the game-winner. Canady, who spread his completions to eight receivers, also scored on a 6-yard run in the first quarter and finished with 149 yards on 10-for-18 passing. He also led the team with 38 rushing yards. Defensively, Raishein Thomas, a sophomore end, made 14 tackles, eight solo, with two sacks and three tackles for loss.
Germantown: The Warhawks' Greater Metro Conference debut was a success as they scored a 28-21 victory over Menomonee Falls that was sparked by a strong outing by first-time starter Jacob Potvin. The senior completed 11 of 16 passes for 248 yards and a touchdown. That score went to senior Blake Kunz on a 63-yard play. The team also got 149 yards rushing and three touchdowns in 20 carries from Jaylen Carter. Carter, a senior, scored on runs of 4, 33 and 1 yard during the first three quarters.