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The Player of the Week is back again for 2011.  The voting this year is upgraded and is featured at the bottom of the article. Voting is open until Wednesday at 4 p.m., so be sure to vote for who you feel is most deserving and spread the word.

John Alanis, Seneca - Seneca traveled to Bangor on Friday looking to get some R-E-S-P-E-C-T, despite being ranked #2 in Division 7. Bangor, ranked third in Division 6, had a streak of 29 consecutive regular season wins going, including a 24-6 victory at Seneca last season. The Indians unleashed Alanis, who rushed for 294 yards and 3 touchdowns on 42 carries. He also caught a pass for 20 yards as Seneca rallied for a 29-22 victory.

Tim Fritz, Potosi - Fritz was all over the field in a wild 15-13 Chieftains win over Black Hawk in a big early season Six Rivers Conference game Friday night. Potosi led 9-6 late in the fourth quarter when a fumble gave the ball to Black Hawk. The Warriors scored with just 31 seconds to go, and after the kickoff, Potosi had just 25 seconds on the clock, needing to go 76 yards for a win with no timeouts left. Fritz stayed cool under pressure, completing a screen to Tim Keene for 25 yards and a 31-yard pass to Chase Kruser, with both players able to get out of bounds. With just seven seconds left, he heaved a jump ball from 20-yards out that Alex Wright came down with as time expired to give the Chieftains the win. Fritz also picked off two passes on defense in the game.

Eldred Jones, Aquinas - The Blugolds played their usual early season non-conference game against Pacelli on Saturday, and were in a good position to pick up a win after a fourth quarter 94-yard scoring drive put them up 14-11. Pacelli countered however, driving 78 yards to get in position for a potential game-tying field goal attempt with less than a minute left. Jones, who blocked two extra points in Week 1, would have none of that, busting through the Pacelli line and blocking the field goal to preserve the Blugolds' victory.

Neico Stokke, Menomonie - Over the summer, Menomonie coach Joe LaBuda had said that Stokke may be the best quarterback in the northern part of the state, which is high praise coming from the normally reserved head coach. Last season Stokke didn't get many chances to prove his passing skills, as the team (who is currently nicknameless) focused more on running the ball. The offense has opened up this year, as Stokke completed  14 of 16 passes for 202 yards and 2 touchdowns in a 41-0 shutout of Merrill. He also ran for 45 yards and a score. On the year he has completed 31 of 35 passes for 516 yards and 4 touchdowns.

Adam Vesterfelt, Janesville Parker - Vesterfelt is no stranger to big games, and turned in an outstanding performance in Week 1 with 319 yards and 5 touchdowns in a win over Madison Memorial, earning him an honorable mention spot in the Player of the Week voting. In a rivalry game against Janesville Craig in Week 2, he steps up into the full nominee spot. He rushed for 264 yards and 6 touchdowns as Parker blew out Craig 50-23.


Honorable mention:

David Esswein, Kiel - Esswein caught 6 passes for 164 yards and 4 touchdowns as Kiel knocked off Howards Grove 48-21. He also kicked six extra points and two field goals for 36 total points.
Luke Mentkowski, Whitnall - First-year starter Luke Mentkowski helped the team claim a 36-35 shootout win over Cudahy by passing for a state-high 315 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Jake Nelson, Milwaukee Lutheran - Nelson, who passed for a third all-time best 521 yards in Week 1 with 6 touchdowns, had another big week, going for 297 yards and 6 more scores.
D.J. Sweet, East Troy - Sweet rushed for 261 yards and 5 touchdowns as East Troy pulled away from Montello/Princeton/Green Lake for a 49-20 win.
Thomas VanderGalien, Randolph - After losing in Week 1, the Rockets needed a lift against Trailways Large champ Pardeeville in Week 2. VanderGalien provided that lift, rushing for 163 yards and 1 touchdowns while also booting two field goals as Randolph claimed a 20-14 win.