CHICAGO BEARS HIGH SCHOOL COACH AND ALL-STAR FOR WEEK 4 SELECTED
Program Honors Top Illinois High School Football Coaches and Players
The Chicago Bears announced today that John Walters of Glenbard East High School in Lombard, Ill., has been named the Chicago Bears High School “Coach of the Week” for Week 4 and quarterback Michael Best of Wheeling High School in Wheeling, Ill., was named the Chicago Bears “High School All-Star.”
Walters and the Glenbard East Rams improved to 4-0 after registering a 17-13 victory over West Aurora (3-1), who was undefeated at the time. This marks the first time the Rams have started a season with a 4-0 record since 1967. Senior quarterback Bret Bushka rushed for both touchdowns, while Dominic Tenca tallied a field goal; Mashar Lewis collected two interceptions, including one with 1:28 remaining in the game. They will face off against the South Elgin Storm (4-0) on Saturday at 1:30 p.m.
Best led the way for the Wheeling Wildcats (2-2) in their 45-42 come-from-behind win against the Vernon Hills Cougars (2-2) after passing for 374 yards and five touchdowns. Danny Provost, Johnny Quintero and Kyle Kong each posted receiving touchdowns, along with a rushing touchdown by Johnny Panganiban. Best also converted on a field goal and two extra point attempts and rushed for another two-point conversion. Wheeling will host the Buffalo Grove Bison (3-1) on Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Walters and Best will be invited to the Bears vs. Packers game on Sunday, Dec. 16, and will join their fellow 2018 “Coach of the Week” and “High School All-Star” honorees, respectively, for a pregame photo on the field. They will each also receive a framed certificate signed by Bears general manager Ryan Pace, head coach Matt Nagy and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.
In addition to “Coach of the Week” and “High School All-Star” honorees attending the Bears vs. Packers game, all eight Illinois High School Association football state champion teams will also be recognized on Dec. 16. The Chicago Bears, in partnership with IHSA, will invite representatives from each team to the game and hold a special recognition of their state titles during halftime.
About “Coach of the Week”
The Chicago Bears “Coach of the Week” program enters its 23rd season this year. The program honors outstanding Illinois high school coaches who develop players’ football skills and knowledge, character, leadership, discipline and teamwork abilities. Other criteria considered includes unique coaching methodology, community and off-field components, school and community support, volunteerism and, most importantly, contributions to players’ long-term success on and off the field. Deserving high school coaches are nominated by a panel of local prep authorities and the winning coach is selected each week. The Chicago Bears will make a $1,500 contribution to the football program at each winning coach’s school and invite them to a Bears game. Since the program’s inception, the Bears have donated over $280,000 to Illinois high schools in support of their football programs.
About “High School All-Star”
Each week for nine weeks, an outstanding high school football player will be selected through the Bears “High School All-Star” program. Each of the nine players will have the opportunity to direct a $500 monetary donation to the youth football program of his choice. The nomination criteria for the program includes on-field performance, community involvement and good sportsmanship. The Bears “High School All-Stars” program will run from Aug. 31 through Oct. 26. Deserving high school players are nominated by a panel of local prep authorities and the winning player is selected each week.
Program Honors Top Illinois High School Football Coaches and Players
The Chicago Bears announced today that John Walters of Glenbard East High School in Lombard, Ill., has been named the Chicago Bears High School “Coach of the Week” for Week 4 and quarterback Michael Best of Wheeling High School in Wheeling, Ill., was named the Chicago Bears “High School All-Star.”
Walters and the Glenbard East Rams improved to 4-0 after registering a 17-13 victory over West Aurora (3-1), who was undefeated at the time. This marks the first time the Rams have started a season with a 4-0 record since 1967. Senior quarterback Bret Bushka rushed for both touchdowns, while Dominic Tenca tallied a field goal; Mashar Lewis collected two interceptions, including one with 1:28 remaining in the game. They will face off against the South Elgin Storm (4-0) on Saturday at 1:30 p.m.
Best led the way for the Wheeling Wildcats (2-2) in their 45-42 come-from-behind win against the Vernon Hills Cougars (2-2) after passing for 374 yards and five touchdowns. Danny Provost, Johnny Quintero and Kyle Kong each posted receiving touchdowns, along with a rushing touchdown by Johnny Panganiban. Best also converted on a field goal and two extra point attempts and rushed for another two-point conversion. Wheeling will host the Buffalo Grove Bison (3-1) on Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Walters and Best will be invited to the Bears vs. Packers game on Sunday, Dec. 16, and will join their fellow 2018 “Coach of the Week” and “High School All-Star” honorees, respectively, for a pregame photo on the field. They will each also receive a framed certificate signed by Bears general manager Ryan Pace, head coach Matt Nagy and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.
In addition to “Coach of the Week” and “High School All-Star” honorees attending the Bears vs. Packers game, all eight Illinois High School Association football state champion teams will also be recognized on Dec. 16. The Chicago Bears, in partnership with IHSA, will invite representatives from each team to the game and hold a special recognition of their state titles during halftime.
About “Coach of the Week”
The Chicago Bears “Coach of the Week” program enters its 23rd season this year. The program honors outstanding Illinois high school coaches who develop players’ football skills and knowledge, character, leadership, discipline and teamwork abilities. Other criteria considered includes unique coaching methodology, community and off-field components, school and community support, volunteerism and, most importantly, contributions to players’ long-term success on and off the field. Deserving high school coaches are nominated by a panel of local prep authorities and the winning coach is selected each week. The Chicago Bears will make a $1,500 contribution to the football program at each winning coach’s school and invite them to a Bears game. Since the program’s inception, the Bears have donated over $280,000 to Illinois high schools in support of their football programs.
About “High School All-Star”
Each week for nine weeks, an outstanding high school football player will be selected through the Bears “High School All-Star” program. Each of the nine players will have the opportunity to direct a $500 monetary donation to the youth football program of his choice. The nomination criteria for the program includes on-field performance, community involvement and good sportsmanship. The Bears “High School All-Stars” program will run from Aug. 31 through Oct. 26. Deserving high school players are nominated by a panel of local prep authorities and the winning player is selected each week.
