HILLSDALE COUNTY — Week 6 of fall sports delivered a blockbuster slate for local high school sports teams. There were plenty of highlight-worthy performances, and one of those was voted the Reader’s Chocie Athlete of the Week award winner.
Camden-Frontier volleyball standout Zailey Conroy beat fellow RedHawk student athlete Colt Woodard for the Week 6 Athlete of the Week award.
The sophomore setter was nominated for the award after earning three aces, 19 assists and five kills in the RedHawks’ three-set win over rival Litchfield. The RedHawks volleyball team continues to build under longtime coach Dawn Follis, and Conroy’s effort highlights the team’s growth so far this season.
Colt Woodard was the reader’s choice runner-up honoree. He was nominated after leading the RedHawks to a milestone win over Burr Oak 32-22. Woodard led the rushing attack with 127 rushing yards on 28 carries, scoring a touchdown. He also added six tackles on defense.
Congratulations to the two RedHawk athletes — they were joined by three other athletes as Week 6 award winners.
Week 6 Daily News Choice Athlete of the Week
Hillsdale senior goalkeeper Tydan Bible was integral to the Hornets’ late season surge that saw the team win a special home game against Onsted. The Hornets defeated Onsted 6-1, thanks in large part to a standout performance in the net from the senior goalie.
Bible also had a penalty kick score to help the team extend its lead. The next day, he held Battle Creek Pennfield to just one score in a close battle. (He later capped his season in Week 7 by limiting Michigan Center to one goal in a postseason matchup.)
Bible finished third in the reader’s choice awards voting results.
Football Awards
Jake Drawe – Pittsford Football Quarterback (8-player Athlete of the Week): Pittsford senior captain Jake Drawe was integral to helping his team defeat a tough Concord squad 44-24 in Week 6. He earned Daily News 8-player Athlete of the Week honors. He carried the ball 23 times, ran for 210 yards and scored three touchdowns. He completed 8 of 11 passes for 113 yards and another score. Drawe added seven tackles and two assists from his safety-hybrid position.
Harper Griffiths – Jonesville Football LB/OL (11-player Athlete of the Week): Jonesville football earned a shutout victory, 20-0, over Addison in Week 6. Griffiths has been the anchor of the front seven for the Comets all season, leading the team in tackles each week. He did it again against the Panthers on homecoming night, earning a total of seven tackles. As a key piece on the line, he helped pave the way for a 175-yard rushing day for teammate John Milks and 250-plus total rushing yards for the night.
Honorable Mentions
Brynleigh Griffiths – Jonesville Girls Cross Country: The sophomore helped the Comets take first overall in the Cascades West jamboree at Homer. Griffiths took fifth overall with a time of 23:14.25. The sophomore set a new season-best time at the prestigious Portage Invitational with a time of 21:59.7, taking 74th overall.
Thayden Welch – Hillsdale Football WR/DB: Welch hauled in five catches for 105 yards and two touchdowns in Hillsdale’s game against Clinton.
Brayden Bradley – Litchfield Football QB/LB: Quarterback Brayden Bradley had a breakout game in Litchfield’s 51-8 win over rival North Adams-Jerome. Bradley had seven rushes for 115 yards and three touchdowns. He also connected with sophomore receiver Gavin Gutting on a 29-yard touchdown pass. He added six tackles on defense.
Jayden Justice – Waldron Football WR/DB: The Spartan had a breakout night in Waldron’s 51-0 win over Tekonsha. Justice had touchdown receptions of 47 yards and 20 yards from senior quarterback Seth Williams. Justice ended the night with four catches for 101 yards.
Gavin Wright – Reading Football RB/LB: Wright took over a prime offensive workload for the Rangers, helping the team defeat Quincy 24-16 in the Battle for the Bell. He ran the ball 18 times for 92 yards, two touchdowns and a two-point conversion.
Olivia Tyler – Jonesville Volleyball: The Comet sophomore earned 18 digs and led the team with 17 points in their three-set victory over Addison. The team won set scores of 25-22, 25-22 and 25-15.
Olivia Mcarthur – Hillsdale Academy Volleyball: Mcarthur led the Colts with 13 kills and added two aces in the team’s three-set win over Litchfield. The team won in set scores of 25-12, 25-11 and 25-14. Mcarthur also had 13 kills in two wins against Concord and Grass Lake in a tri-match.
Grayson Rorick – Hillsdale Academy Boys Cross Country: The senior set a new personal record time of 15:52.6 to take third overall at the Portage Invitational, helping his team also take third overall.
Logan Youngman – Hillsdale Boys Cross Country: The junior cross country captain earned his fourth win of the season at the second LCAA jamboree. He took first overall with a time of 16:44.4.
Nicholas Fowler – Jonesville Boys Cross Country: The senior took 28th overall at the Portage Invitational, scoring crucial points to help his team take fifth overall at one of the most prestigious invitationals of the season. He took 28th with a time of 17:12.9. He also took seventh in a Cascades West jamboree at Homer.
Talicia Wortham – Hillsdale Volleyball: Senior Talicia Wortham had 12 kills and 10 digs against Onsted. She hit a +.20 hitting percentage.
This article originally appeared on Hillsdale Daily News: Zailey Conroy voted Week 6 Athlete of the Week, Tydan Bible named Daily News choice winner
Reporting by Joseph Flaherty, Hillsdale Daily News / Hillsdale Daily News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
