High five

Chris Wright of Niles West, a senior wide receiver and defensive back in 2008, has been nominated as an Old Spice Red Zone Player of the Year.

Wright is among a select group of players who are eligible to be selected as the national Red Zone Player of the Year and be honored in a full-page feature in USA Today, in February.

For the eighth straight year, Old Spice is recognizing high school football players who go above and beyond the call of duty, particularly in the red zone. The program honors athletes who are able to elevate their play and step up when the heat is really on. These athletes embody leadership, performance and desire, and serve as examples to their teammates on and off the field.

As a senior, Wright caught 46 passes for 919 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also converted 24-of-26 point-after kicks and one field goal, and led the Wolves in scoring with 93 points. He also had an interception.

High school coaches across the country are named one player from their team as Player of the Year. Wright will receive a certificate to acknowledge his accomplishment.

The top 50 players nationwide will be named Red Zone Players of the Year and will receive a plaque and other awards.

Nick Dufficy, a resident of Skokie and a senior at Lawrence University, was one of 35 fall-season student-athletes named to the Academic All-Midwest Conference team. To be eligible for the team, a student must have a minimum 3.2 cumulative grade-point average and be at least a sophomore.