Midseason Mark: Top Performers in Illinois (Part 1)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It has been a great season of IHSA football in 2023. At the halfway point, perennial programs are cruising to the playoffs, while other programs are gaining steam and making a playoff push over the next 4 weeks. Here are 5 of the top performers in the state of Illinois at the midseason mark.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Dierre Hill Jr.","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2408","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Althoff Catholic","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Hill finds himself near the top of the leaderboard in nearly every rushing statistic. He is top 10 in both yards and touchdowns, posting 776 yards and 15 touchdowns at the halfway mark. The dynamic junior athlete from Althoff Catholic holds offers from some of the top programs in the country, including a Notre Dame offer he recently obtained. He measures in at 6'0, 205, making him a rare combination of size and speed that impacts the game in a variety of ways. He is a home run threat at running back, and almost always breaks off long returns in the kick off return game. Keep an eye on this rising junior the rest of the season.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["121350"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Milivojevic has been lights out for St. Francis this season. The Ball State commit has thrown for 1,300 yards and 12 touchdowns on the year, while only turning the ball over 3 times. Milivojevic throws a fantastic deep ball. He has a strong arm and his able to drop the ball over defenders and into the arms of his wide receiver. He is mobile and can accurately throw on the run with great touch and strong velocity. The 6'3 signal caller is turning heads each weekend, as the Spartans currently have a 3 and 2 record with close losses to Fenwick and Downers Grove North.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["354265"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"The Hersey senior burst onto the scene last year, as he earned All-State honors with 861 yards and 9 touchdowns on the year. Through 5 weeks, Grove is on track to nearly double his output from last year. The Northwestern commit current leads the state with 726 receiving yards. Additionally, he has 7 touchdowns on the year. The shifty athlete, who excels at both wide receiver and safety, is a threat every time he touches the ball. Whether its on a punt return, a vertical route, or a screen, Grove has potential to score on nearly every play.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["899321"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"The Morgan Park outside linebacker is a one-man wrecking crew. Hayes is top 5 in the state in sacks, totaling 7.5 so far this year. He plays with an extremely high motor, as Hayes is as smooth an edge rusher as one will find. He is highly physical and showcases his talent in both the run and the pass game. Hayes has phenomenal bend and can get around the corner quickly to apply pressure on the quarterback. If the ball does bounce outside of Hayes, don't think he is out of the play. He will chase it down from the backside to make a tackle. Long story short, Hayes can do it all. This senior standout continues to impress every week","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["271314"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Bentancur is making a statement before heading off to Clemson. The senior tight end currently boasts 828 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns this year. He is a matchup nightmare, as the 6'5 tight end is a crisp route runner and has top end speed. He is phenomenal at making contested catches and always seems to come down with the ball when it's thrown his direction. And once he secures the catch, he showcases the ability to make multiple defenders miss in the open field. As one of the best players in the state, Bentancur is living up to the hype in his final campaign.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65162645077db"} /-->