SAM GIBAS

Elk River • football

Gibas, a senior running back and outside linebacker, felt uncommonly good going into the Elks' clash with Class 5A, No. 1-ranked St. Michael-Albertville on Friday. Though Elk River had lost four consecutive times to the Knights, Gibas had an inkling this time would be different.

"Our seniors knew what we needed to do," Gibas said.

Elk River made a big statement in routing St. Michael-Albertville 43-6, with Gibas was in the thick of it on both sides of the ball. He rushed for 105 yards and two touchdowns; on defense he came up with six tackles, including two for loss, a sack and a forced fumble.

Elks coach Steve Hamilton called Gibas "the best player on the field. He's the heart and soul of the defense and relentless as a running back."

Gibas acknowledged that the thoroughness of the victory surprised him.

"It does stun me a little bit, but when you know how much time we put in and how hard we worked for this game, it's not surprising that we won," he said. "This is the biggest victory I've ever had, for sure."

Paul Klauda, Star Tribune

TANNER TEIGE

Big Lake • football

The senior running back did nearly everything in the Hornets' 34-25 victory over North Branch. He accounted for 363 all-purpose yards — 294 rushing, 51 on returns, 18 receiving — and scored five touchdowns.

MAGGIE CONNERS

Visitation • soccer

In the Blazers' last three games, the senior attacker notched six goals and three assists, including a hat trick in a 3-2 victory over Blake, to become the leading goal-scorer in the state with 22. She committed to Gonzaga in early September.

STAR COSTA

South St. Paul • cross-country

The junior remained undefeated so far this season by recording her biggest victory to date. She won the Maroon Division championship at the Roy Griak Invitational on Saturday, covering the 5K course in a time of 19:50.

ALYSSA DOUCETTE

Eagan • volleyball

The senior captain was a dominant force on the front row as the Class 3A, No. 1 Wildcats defeated Prior Lake in four sets on Thursday and then won the prestigious Eagle Invite on Saturday. For the week, she had 19 blocks and a hitting percentage over .400.

JOE HIRD

Bloomington Jefferson • football

The latest in what's becoming a string of stellar receivers at Jefferson, the senior caught nine passes for 213 yards and three touchdowns in a 22-0 shutout of rival Bloomington Kennedy.

INNOCENT MURWANASHYAKA

St. Paul Como Park • cross-country

The senior ran away from the field to take first place in the Maroon Division of Saturday's Roy Griak Invitational at the University of Minnesota. His time of 16:57 was more than 40 seconds better than that of the second-place finisher.

JIM PAULSEN

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