Vote for Journal Star Boys Athlete of the Week for Oct. 12-17, presented by CEFCU

October 19, 2026

The Journal Star Boys Athlete of the Week race for October 12–17 is heating up, with four standout performers from Central Illinois high school football and cross country. Morton’s Isaac Davis delivered a dominant performance in the Mid-Illini Conference title game, scoring two touchdowns in the first half to lead his team to a 35–7 victory over Metamora.

Meanwhile, Dunlap’s Jayden Schmick powered his squad to a 37–21 win with 110 rushing yards and four touchdowns, including three in the opening frame. Peoria Notre Dame’s Ronin Spinks was a dual-threat force, rushing for 181 yards and two touchdowns while also picking off a pass in a 72–22 rout of Peoria High.

On the cross country track, Maxwell Kirby secured back-to-back Big 12 Conference titles with a season-best 14:47.0 finish in the 3-mile race, anchoring his team to a championship. Morton’s soccer team also clinched its first Mid-Illini title since 2022, with senior forward Cole Whitaker scoring twice in a 7–0 win over Metamora to seal the league crown.