Editor’s note: We prohibit the use of bots and any other artificial methods of voting. Suspicious activity could lead to the disqualification of candidates and a permanent suspension of the Athlete of the Week poll. No voting by email: Votes by email and after 5 p.m. Wednesday are not counted.
Welcome to the Bay Area News Group (Mercury News & East Bay Times) boys Athlete of the Week poll.
For the entire academic year, we will provide a list of candidates who stood out over the previous week and allow you, the reader, to vote for the winner.
This week, we consider performances from Nov. 18-23.
Polls close at 5 p.m. Wednesday.
Vote as many times as you’d like until then without using bots or any other artificial methods of voting.
Votes by email and after 5 p.m. Wednesday are not counted.
Scroll to the bottom for the poll.
Winners are announced each Friday online and in the print edition of the Mercury News and East Bay Times sports sections.
Candidates for future Athlete of the Week polls can be nominated at highschools@bayareanewsgroup.com.
We accept nominations until 11 a.m. each Monday.
We also review stats submitted to MaxPreps by coaches/team statisticians.
On to the nominees:
Sammy Avalos, San Ramon Valley football: Avalos rushed for the game-winning touchdown to lead SRV to a 7-0 win over Cardinal Newman in the NCS Division I semifinals. The Wolves will play Pittsburg in the championship game on Friday at Diablo Valley College.
Zach Brien, Bishop O’Dowd football: The sophomore knocked in field goals from 31, 27 and 25 yards to lead O’Dowd to a 23-15 win over Liberty in an NCS Division II semifinal. The Dragons will play Amador Valley for the Division II title on Friday at Dublin High.
Jayden Bryant, Moreau Catholic football: Bryant rushed for 76 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries as Moreau topped visiting Del Norte 14-7 at home in the NCS Division VII semifinal. Moreau will play Ferndale at Hayward High on Saturday for the section title.
Connor Burks, Menlo water polo: The junior goalkeeper totaled 12 saves in Menlo’s 12-6 win over Clovis in the CIF NorCal Division II title game.
Blaise Clancy, Campolindo football: Clancy rushed for 85 yards and two touchdowns in a 40-7 win over San Leandro. Campolindo will play rival Acalanes on Friday at Las Lomas High for the NCS Division III crown.
Cole Hardtke, Burlingame football: The senior rushed for 97 yards and a score in a 14-12 win over Piedmont Hills in the CCS Division IV semifinals. The Panthers will play Sacred Heart Prep in the championship game on Saturday at San Jose City College.
Nelson Harris, Sacred Heart Prep water polo: The senior scored four goals to lead Sacred Heart Prep to a 9-7 win over De La Salle in the CIF NorCal Open Division championship game. SHP has won the last four NorCal titles.
Jarious Hogan, St. Ignatius football: Hogan scored the game-winning touchdown to lead St. Ignatius to a 10-7 win over St. Francis in the CCS Open Division title game. Hogan finished with 110 yards on 22 carries.
Owen Panu, Los Gatos football: Panu caught the go-ahead 17-yard touchdown pass in the final minute of Los Gatos’ 35-28 win over Archbishop Riordan. Panu had three touchdown grabs for Los Gatos, which advanced to the CCS Division I final against St. Francis on Friday at San Jose City College.
Arrin Sagiraju, Dougherty Valley cross country: Sagiraju won the NCS Division I cross country title, finishing the three-mile race in 15:59.4.
