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Here are the top performers from Week 7 of the regular season.

1. Jrew Plocher, Watersprings
In the three-team Rocky Mountain Conference, there is little room for error and Plocher's Warriors got off to a fast start on Friday by opening conference play with a 42-0 win over North Gem.  Along the way, Plocher ran for 349 yards and four scores, had nine tackles on defense, and returned an interception for a touchdown as Watersprings (4-2, 1-0 Rocky Mountain) moved on step closer to a 1A Division 2 playoff berth.

2. Ahlius Yearout, Lapwai
The Wildcats have won back-to-back Whitepine contests after a 1-3 start to the season to revive their playoff hopes.  On Friday, Yearout contributed all over the field to Lapwai's convincing win over Prairie as the junior had a touchdown reception, a touchdown rush, and a touchdown via interception return to go along with 8.5 tackles.  Lapwai (3-3, 2-3 Whitepine) is one of four teams in the Whitepine at either 3-2 or 2-3 in league play competing for one guaranteed spot in the 1A Division 1 playoffs.

3. Tate Whitaker, Raft River
With two huge games remaining on their schedule, the Trojans could ill afford a loss against a pesky Murtaugh team.  Whitaker, a senior, authored a signature game with 231 yards passing and three scores, 52 yards rushing and a score, ten tackles, and an interception.  With the win, Raft River (5-1, 4-1 Snake River) gave itself a little breathing room in the playoff chase with games remaining at Butte County and at Carey, both of whom are strong playoff contenders as well.

Honorable Mention
Kody Smith, Camas County
Colton Larna, Carey
Josh Gipe, Council
Wyatt Vincent, Deary
Cody Power, Dietrich
Kaden Zimmer, Garden Valley
Angus Jordan, Genesee
Ky Kendall, Hagerman
Jason Orellana-Orozco, Hansen
Kaden DeGroot, Kamiah
Qwincy Hall, Lakeside
Gage Crow, Lewis County
Justice Schrader, Lighthouse Christian
Jack Driskill, Logos
Austin Zingler, Mullan/St. Regis
Carter Woodland, Notus
Daniel Rocha, Shoshone
Chase Blazzard, Troy
Parker Goldade, Wallace
Julian Neri, Wilder

WEEKLY STARS

We get to a point in each season where it becomes clear there are certain players, based on their individual talents and their role within their team's scheme, who could be one of our 3 Stars every week.  Jack Driskill from Logos could have easily been selected again this week - eight more touchdowns (seven passing, one rushing) as the Knights won a wild one over Genesee.  After dropping their first three games, the Knights have won three of four to charge back into the 1A Division 1 playoff picture.

Lapwai's Terrell Ellenwood-Jones is another one - he had a hand in six touchdowns on Friday as the Wildcats have also moved back into the playoff conversation.

Other players, like Kendrick's Ty Koepp and Notus' Carter Woodland, would likely garner more 3 Stars recognition if their teams' games lent themselves to playing more.  For instance, Woodland has only played four quarters twice this season: at Council (307 rushing yards) and against Clearwater Valley (247 rushing yards.) 

Koepp, on the other hand, has been in just one competitive game, start to finish.  In that game, he racked up 421 yards of total offense and six touchdowns in a win over the no. 1 team in the 1A Division 1 classification, Oakley.  He has a hand in 27 total touchdowns (24 passing and three rushing) in six games despite not playing much after halftime.

TEAM FIRST

We like to share stories of players putting the team first and we've found there is no shortage of examples from all corners of the state.  The latest comes from District 1's North Star League, where Mullan/St. Regis had an injury at center going into the team's key Friday matchup with league rival Clark Fork.  Starting running back John Pruitt volunteered to move to center for the game and helped pave the way for his backup, junior Austin Zingler, to run for 155 yards and three scores as the Tigers topped Clark Fork to clinch the top seed out of the North Star into the 1A Division 2 playoffs, which begin later this month.

Agree? Disagree? Let me know in the comments!