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 Aug. 26-31.
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:
Matthew Forbes, Irvington football: Forbes rushed for two touchdowns and caught two more to lead Irvington past Gunderson in a 26-14 win. The Vikings will travel to San Francisco on Saturday to play Mission High.
Jack Freehill, Menlo football: Freehill completed 8 of 13 passes for 101 yards and three touchdowns in Menlo’s 49-0 win over Tennyson. Menlo will host Carlmont on Saturday.
Spencer Hoang, Westmont football: The senior rushed for 122 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Warriors past Mt. Pleasant in a 41-7 blowout. The Warriors are scheduled to host Fremont-Sunnyvale on Friday.
Deuce Jones-Drew, De La Salle football: Son of former NFL All-Pro NFL running back Maurice Jones-Drew, Deuce ran for 100 yards and broke free for a 64-yard score in De La Salle’s 42-14 win over Grant. The Spartans will host Serra on Friday.
Daniel Mattioli, Carlmont football: The senior rushed for three touchdowns in Carlmont’s 61-34 win over Castro Valley. The Scots avenged a close loss against the Trojans from last season.
Drew Ostrander, Sequoia water polo: Ostrander scored three goals, dished out two assists and had two steals in Sequoia’s 17-4 win over Homestead. The Ravens have split their first two games of the season.
Lio Sevelo, Independence football: Sevelo, a senior, rushed for two touchdowns in Independence’s 21-13 over Cupertino. The 76ers will have a bye week before they host Evergreen Valley on Sept. 13.
Brody Smith, Serra football: The junior knocked in the go-ahead field goal with 10 seconds left in Serra’s 22-21 win over Folsom. Serra starts the season 1-0 and has now won its last six season openers.
Jayden Sullivan, Alameda football: Sullivan intercepted two passes in Alameda’s 73-0 season-opening win over Ygnacio Valley. The Hornets start the year 1-0 and will travel to Concord High on Friday.
Preston Swann, Heritage water polo: Swan, a senior, totaled three goals and three assists in the Patriots’ 19-5 win over Benicia. Heritage has started the season 1-1.
Tyler Winkles, Acalanes football: The sophomore threw for 199 yards and four touchdowns in Acalanes’ 49-21 win over Lowell-San Francisco. Acalanes will host Mt. Diablo on Friday.