ESPN

The high school football playoffs are a time for unknowns to become knowns, knowns to become better-knowns, comebacks, upsets, nail-biters and plenty of memorable moments that will soon be added to the IHSA history books. The first round this past weekend began that journey. Here's a rundown of some of the weekend's stars and best games.

Top individual offensive performances Lake Zurich junior running back Jacob Brinlee: Brinlee rushed for 212 yards and a touchdown on 26 carries as the Bears upset Rolling Meadows in Class 7A. Brinlee put Lake Zurich ahead early with a 70-yard run on the game's second play.

Cary-Grove senior fullback Eric Chandler: After being named the ESPNChicago.com Prep Athlete of the Week, Chandler ran for 146 yards and five touchdowns in the Trojans' 57-21 win over St. Viator in Class 6A. He opened the game with a 49-yard run.

Sandburg junior running back Jermell Harris: Harris rushed for 144 yards and four touchdowns on eight carries in the Eagles' 35-10 win over Hinsdale Central in Class 8A. Harris had touchdown runs of 2, 31, 44 and 56 yards.

Naperville Central senior quarterback Nick Linne: Linne has been one of the area's most consistent quarterbacks all season. In Naperville Central's 28-16 win over Lockport on Friday, he added to his numbers and threw for four touchdowns.

Leyden senior running back Angel Maldonado: Maldonado has been putting up numbers all season and is beginning to get noticed. He rushed for 248 yards and three touchdowns, including a season-long 73-yarder, in Leyden's 25-7 win over Palatine in Class 7A.

Elk Grove junior quarterback Nick Meyer: Meyer had likely the most memorable individual performance of the first round. He scored on a 80-yard kickoff return, threw for 304 yards and three touchdowns, rushed for 55 yards and had two interceptions in Elk Grove's 28-21 upset of Harlem in Class 7A.

Hubbard senior running back Ronnie Oliver: Oliver ran for 256 yards and four touchdowns on 20 carries in Hubbard's 30-6 win over Riverside-Brookfield in Class 6A.

Prospect senior quarterback Miles Osei: Osei continued to put up big numbers for the Knights. He had 217 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 31 carries in Prospect's 33-13 upset win over Carmel in Class 7A.

Marist senior quarterback Mike Perish: Perish delivered one of his best performances of the season as he threw for 346 yards and four touchdowns in Marist's 41-14 win over Schaumburg in Class 8A.

St. Rita junior running back Travis Starks: St. Rita was without star running back Jahwon Akui again, but that was no problem as St. Rita still had Starks. Starks filled in and rushed for 250 yards and four touchdowns on 32 carries in St. Rita's 41-14 win over Plainfield North in Class 7A.

Stevenson senior running back Mark Weisman: Weisman has been one of the top running backs in the state all season, and he continued to live up to that reputation in Stevenson's 28-7 win over New Trier in Class 8A. He had 165 yards and three touchdowns.

Fremd senior running back Evan Wright: With Fremd trailing 14-0, the Vikings moved to the Wildcat formation and put Wright in control. He finished with 124 rushing yards and a touchdown and was 3-for-3 for 39 yards and a touchdown pass in Fremd's 22-14 win over Naperville North in Class 8A.

Top individual defensive performances Loyola senior defensive end Chance Carter: Carter, a Northwestern recruit, has been making plays for the Ramblers' defense all season, and Saturday was no different. He tipped a pass, caught the ball with one hand and sprinted for a 32-yard touchdown in Loyola's 30-0 win over St. Patrick in the 8A playoffs.

Maine South sophomore linebacker Luke Lenti: Lenti, a nephew of Mount Carmel coach Frank Lenti, had a memorable varsity debut in the Hawks' 28-14 win over Oak Park in the 8A playoffs. He had six tackles and an interception.

Morgan Park junior linebacker Robert Raya: With Quincy on Morgan Park's 1-yard line, Raya forced and recovered a fumble late in the game to provide the finishing touches on a 16-7 Mustangs' win in Class 6A.

Joliet Catholic senior linebacker Jake Stockman: Stockman had four tackles for losses in Joliet Catholic's 48-7 win over Troy Triad in Class 5A. The Hilltoppers held Triad to negative yards until its final drive.

Crystal Lake South senior linebacker J.D. Barchard and senior nose guard Sam McCole: Barchard and McCole keyed the Gators' 35-0 win over Glenbrook South in Class 7A. It was Crystal Lake South's school-record fifth shutout this season.

Best games

Wheaton North 17, Rockford Boylan 13 (Class 7A)
Wheaton North was considered a long shot to even make the playoffs after quarterback Taylor Graham, an Ohio State recruit, went out with a season-ending injury midway through the year. The Falcons not only have made the playoffs, they've also pulled off an upset and advanced a round. Wheaton North quarterback Reece Butler was the hero in Saturday's win as he threw for 129 yards and two touchdowns. He hit Richard Finley for a 25-yard score with 7:48 to play for the game-winner.

Mount Carmel 19, Simeon 14 (Class 8A)
After easily defeating Simeon in the season opener, Mount Carmel wasn't able to relax the second time around. Simeon led 14-13 in the fourth quarter when the Caravan put together an 80-yard drive on 12 plays, which ended with a 22-yard touchdown by Milton Greer, to go ahead for good. Mount Carmel's defense, led by Chris Barcelona, held Simeon in the end.

Downers Grove South 22, Waubonsie Valley 21 (Class 8A)
Dan Miller's first high school reception was a big one for Downers Grove South. Quarterback Chandler Whitmer hit Miller for a 5-yard touchdown with 4:23 to play to lift the Mustangs to a 22-21 win over Waubonsie Valley. It was Downers Grove South's eighth consecutive win.

Glenbrook South 28, Notre Dame 27 (Class 8A)
On fourth down in the fourth quarter, Glenbrook South quarterback Mike Pullano hit fullback Michael Hirsch with a 13-yard touchdown pass as the Titans held on for a 28-27 win over Notre Dame in Class 8A.

Fremd 22, Naperville North 14 (Class 8A)
Fremd overcame a 14-0 first-half deficit with a combined effort from its offense and defense to pull out a 22-14 win over Naperville North in Class 8A.

Oswego 28, Bloomington 26 (Class 6A)
Oswego forced six turnovers to pull out the 28-26 win at Bloomington in the Class 6A playoffs. The Panthers capitalized on four of the turnovers and turned them into touchdowns.

Wheaton Academy 20, Hillcrest 19 OT (Class 5A)
In one of the biggest first-round upsets, Wheaton Academy quarterback Brian Pell threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to Anthony Ritchie to tie the game at 19 in overtime, and Sam Cote made the PAT to clinch the win.

Elk Grove 28, Harlem 21 (Class 7A)
Led by quarterback Nick Meyer's career day (see above), the Grenadiers knocked off No. 4 seed Harlem on the road. Kyle Pfister, a linebacker and tight end, also came up big as he scored on a touchdown pass and had a key late stop defensively.

Scott Powers covers high school and college sports for ESPNChicago.com and can be reached at preps@espnchicago.com.