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 Sept. 30-Oct. 5.
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:
Aiden Akery, Willow Glen football: Akery completed 14 of 22 passes for 197 yards and two touchdowns and added a rushing score in Willow Glen’s 28-21 win over Silver Creek. Willow Glen is 5-0 and will start league play at Ann Sobrato on Saturday.
Blayne Ballard, Northgate football: The senior hauled in five catches for 130 yards and two touchdowns in Northgate’s 35-21 upset win over Las Lomas. Northgate is 3-3 this season.
Justin Campbell, Evergreen Valley water polo: Campbell scored eight goals in Evergreen Valley’s 16-13 win over Branham. The Cougars are 7-1, 3-0 this season.
Lucas Kirk, Burlingame football: Kirk, a senior, rushed for 174 yards and three touchdowns and caught a receiving score to lead Burlingame to a 43-17 win over Mountain View. Burlingame (4-1, 1-1) is slated to host Hillsdale on Friday.
Dominic McMahon, Santa Clara cross country: The senior took first place in the 2.3 mile run- large school division at the Artichoke Invitational, finishing in 12:07.
Charlie Metherd, Miramonte football: Metherd threw for 200 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winning score as Miramonte defeated College Park 41-37. Metherd also rushed for 50 yards and a touchdown for Miramonte, which improved to 4-2.
J.C. Puga, Gilroy football: Puga led Gilroy to its first win of the season, totaling four rushing touchdowns in a 34-0 win over Independence. Gilroy (1-4) hosts Prospect on Friday.
Caleb Raumann, Castro Valley water polo: The senior totaled three goals, two assists and seven steals in Castro Valley’s 8-7 win over Paso Robles. The Trojans are 14-4, 4-0 this season.
Jayden Reger, Concord football: Reger rushed for two touchdowns as Concord defeated Encinal 29-22 at home. Concord (4-2) will get a bye before starting league play at Mt. Diablo on Oct. 18.
Michael Tellez, Newark Memorial cross country: Tellez took first place in the three-mile run at the Mission Valley Athletic League Meet #2 with a time of 16:09.93.
