As competition across the country's high school football landscape continues to heat up with the postseason just around the corner.
Of the 16 Super 25 teams who were in action in Week 7, 15 collected wins. The only loser? No. 20 Mater Dei (CA), which lost a low-scoring affair to fifth-ranked Santa Margarita (CA).
In all corners of the country, players — both stars and unsung heroes — turned in massive performances, helping keep their teams in the win column. Below are five of the top performances from players who suit up for Super 25 teams from Week 7's action, in addition to an opportunity for the USA TODAY Sports audience to vote for who they believe should be named USA TODAY Sports Super 25 Playmaker of the Week.
Note: Team rankings reflect
Week 7's Super 25 rankings. USA TODAY Sports will release Week 8's rankings on Oct. 5.
Maliq Allen, No. 11 St. John Bosco (Bellflower, CA)
Maliq Allen, St. John Bosco's senior running back, only needed one half of play to turn in a performance worthy of landing him on this list. In the Braves' 40-14 win over JSerra on Friday, Oct. 2, Allen tallied 239 total yards and four trips to the end zone — three of which came before the teams broke for halftime.
Zach Brien, No. 2 IMG Academy (Bradenton, FL)
IMG Academy senior kicker Zach Brien left everyone with a reminder that kickers are people too in Saturday night's game against St. James Performance Academy (Springfield, VA). With IMG on the ropes and trailing by a point late, Brien lined up for a game-winning 47-yard field goal. Splitting the uprights as time expired, the Cal football commit kept the Ascenders' unblemished season alive, earning a spot on this week's list of Super 25 Playmakers.
Osani Gayles, No. 2 IMG Academy (Bradenton, FL)
Also representing the Ascenders on this week's list is senior receiver Osani Gayles. In Saturday's game against St. James Academy, Gayles proved to be the favorite target of IMG quarterback Jayden Wade as he hauled in nine receptions for 185 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Gayles, an Alabama football commit, was also responsible for a successful two-point conversion and a long kickoff return, which helped set up IMG's game-winning field goal attempt.
Zane Johnson, No. 24 Trinity (Louisville, KY)
Piloting No. 24 Trinity to another lopsided win was senior quarterback and University of Buffalo football commit Zane Johnson. In the Shamrocks' 41-0 drubbing of St. Xavier (OH), Johnson tallied 296 yards and three touchdown passes. Each of Johnson's touchdowns passes found the hands of different receivers as he and Trinity avenged last season's 17-14 loss to St. X.
Wyatt Smith, No. 1 St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, FL)
St. Thomas Aquinas senior edge rusher Wyatt Smith's stats from Friday night's narrow, 21-20 win over Chaminade Madonna (FL) don't necessarily jump off the page. However, when the Raiders needed him most, the Ohio State football commit delivered. With St. Thomas Aquinas white-knuckling a one-point lead, Chaminade Madonna lined up for a go-ahead, 33-yard field goal in the final minute. As the ball was sent towards the uprights, Smith got a hand on it, successfully blocking the attempt and helping the Raiders keep their unblemished record alive. Smith also recorded a sack in the win.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: USA TODAY Sports Super 25 Playmakers of Week 7: Vote for top performance
