FACES IN THE CROWD
EJ Perry | Andover, Mass. | Football
EJ, a junior quarterback at Andover High, completed 30 of 50 passes for a state-record 636 yards, throwing four touchdowns and rushing for two more in a 49--41 loss to Central Catholic High (Lawrence). The state's leader in passing yards (2,640) and second in TDs (29) this season, he is the first Massachusetts QB to surpass 600 yards in a game.
Sofia Rossi | Akron, Ohio | Soccer
Sofia, a junior forward at Walsh Jesuit High in Stow, scored in the 83rd minute for a 1--0 victory over Loveland High (Cincinnati), lifting the Warriors to their fourth straight Division I title. She netted the game-winner in the last two state championship matches as well. Ohio's D-I player of the year, Sofia had 28 goals and 12 assists this season.
Kris Silbaugh | Cambridge Springs, Pa. | Football
Kris, a senior wideout, punter and defensive back at Cambridge Springs High, who was born without a left hand, broke the Devils' career record for receiving yards on a 43-yard touchdown catch in a 63--0 win over Seagertown High in September. At season's end he had eight catches for 207 yards and two scores, bringing the career mark to 1,073.
Ella Byers | Chamberlain, S.D. | Cross-country
Ella, a freshman at Chamberlain High, finished the 5K course at Yankton Trail Park in Sioux Falls in 18:41.21 to win the Class A championship by 20.21 seconds, turning in the fastest time across all three classes. She won all 10 races she entered this season. Last year Ella competed for the Cubs as an eighth-grader and came in 10th in the state meet.
Jose Hernandez | Mexico City | Soccer
Hernandez, a midfielder at UCLA, was named the Pac-12 freshman of the year after leading the Bruins in scoring. Through Sunday he had 26 points on 11 goals and four assists and was one goal from tying the school's rookie record. Among Division I freshmen, Hernandez was tied for fourth in goals and fifth in points at week's end.
Ariel Stephenson | Prince George, Va. | Basketball
Stephenson, a 5'10" freshman guard at Wake Forest, debuted with 21 points and seven rebounds in a 60--57 win over LSU, followed by 13 points and four boards in a 69--52 victory over East Tennessee State, and 16 points and six rebounds in a 77--58 win over Davidson. She is the career scoring leader for boys or girls at Prince George High (2,307).
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ELAINE PINEAULT (PERRY)
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COURTESY OF MARIE ROSSI (ROSSI)
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ADELE SCHAEFER PHOTOGRAPHY (SILBAUGH)
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PHOTOGRAPHY BY SCOTT (BYERS)
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DON LIEBIG (HERNANDEZ)
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WAKE FOREST ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS (STEPHENSON)