FIRST AND SHORT

Week 6 Wonders: area players who made an impact

JR Radcliffe
jr.radcliffe@jrn.com

A Waukesha West running back posted big numbers again, a South Milwaukee standout went off for a second straight week, and a Greenfield quarterback was a dual threat in this week's top performances on the gridiron.

Alex Anthony, Whitefish Bay. The Blue Dukes' top receiver, who filled in briefly at quarterback when Cade Garcia was injured a two weeks ago, was on the same page with the incumbent slinger under center. Anthony caught 13 passes for 165 yards and two scores as Bay rallied for a thrilling victory over Germantown. Quarterback Cade Garcia completed 22 of 41 for 245 yards and two scores.

Rayvon Bartlett Jr., Greenfield. With top running back Ezekiel Banks suspended, Greenfield turned to its other top offensive threat. Bartlett completed 20 of 30 passes for 289 yards and four touchdowns and he also ran 10 times for 120 yards and another score.

Jake Belongia, New Berlin Eisenhower. Eisenhower fell to Pewaukee in a battle for first in the Woodland West, but the Lions nearly pulled off their second dramatic comeback of the year. Belongia caught eight passes for 138 yards and a score and also ran for 26 yards and a touchdown. Quarterback Bryce Miller threw two interceptions but put up monster yardage, going 32 of 51 for 317 yards with two scores.

Seth Bickett, Pewaukee. The Pirates rushing game was again key in a 26-24 win over Eisenhower that put the Pirates in charge of the Woodland West. Bickett ran 25 times for 121 yards and two touchdowns.

Grant Brown, Messmer/Shorewood. In a necessary win to set up next week's first-place showdown with Greenfield, the Grehyhounds running backk ran for 177 yards on 12 carries and scored three touchdowns in a win over Brown Deer.

Brennan Demark, Waukesha North. The Northstars are now one win away from the playoffs after dispatching Waukesha South, and the quarterback was on point in completing 15 of 17 passes for 223 yards and four touchdowns. Kendall Gould caught two of them.

Ian Francis, Brookfield Academy. The Blue Knights topped St. John's with ease, as Francis passed for 7 of 9, 130 yards and three scores. He also ran the ball six times for 115 yards and two more touchdowns.

Darios Garrett, Martin Luther. Garrett ran 13 times for 123 yards and a score, but his real work came in special teams, when he returned not one, not two, but three punts for touchdowns in a 38-6 win over Thomas More.

Thomas Gibson, Brookfield Central. In a huge win over Marquette to take control of the Greater Metro, running back Zach Heckman was his usual workhorse self (239 yards, two scores on 40 carries), but Gibson caught six big passes for 145 yards and two touchdowns, including the decisive points late.

Griffin Johnson, West Allis Central. Johnson completed 19 of 27 passes for 191 yards and the three touchdowns, and he engineered an 80-yard drive in the final three minutes against Menomonee Falls that ended with a touchdown at the 22-second mark to keep the Bulldogs' playoff chances alive. In the last two games, he has hit 37 of 47 passes with seven scores.

Jackson Kollath, Sussex Hamilton. Kollath ran 13 times for 194 yards and three touchdowns as Hamilton kept its playoff hopes alive with a win over West Allis Hale. Nick Mirasola also found the end zone three times.

Kyle Lewis, Franklin. One week after the return of quarterback Max Alba, the Sabers passing game was clicking again, and Lewis was the top beneficiary with six catches for 152 yards and three scores. Alba hit 17 of 24 for 259 passing yards and four touchdowns.

Peter MacCudden, Waukesha West. The Wolverines scored a huge 42-28 win over Mukwonago in the Classic 8, and MacCudden was a big reason why. He ran 34 times for 270 yards and two scores as he inched closer to Classic 8 Player of the Year status. He also threw a 35-yard pass.

Max Meleski, New Berlin West. The Vikings scored a solid 16-0 upset of Wauwatosa West, with Meleski rushing for 119 yards and a score and also catching a pass for another 23 yards.

Adam Mielke, Lake Country Lutheran. He ran 15 times for 111 yards and a score, and he was also part of a defensive effort that kept an explosive University School in check in a big 40-14 victory.

Jacob Rams, Oconomowoc. This time, the Raccoons did their damage on the ground. Though the passing attack is the offensive linchpin for the Raccoons, Rams ran it 15 times for 236 yards and five touchdowns as he appeared fully healed from injury in a 56-42 win over West Bend East.

Elijah Robinson, Oak Creek. Oak Creek crushed Kenosha Tremper, with Robinson racking up three touchdowns on 109 yards rushing (and just nine carries).

Jake Simuncak, South Milwaukee. The quarterback again put on a show rushing, carrying the ball 38 times for a massive 418 yards and four touchdowns. The Rockets crushed Cudahy in their annual clash of rivals, 36-0.

Bradley Woldt, Homestead. Homestead stayed perfect in the North Shore, and Woldt was his typical self, rushing 17 times for 125 yards nad a pair of touchdowns.