Vote now: Bay Area News Group boys athlete of the week

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 Oct. 20-25.

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 [email protected].

We accept nominations until 11 a.m. each Monday.

We also review stats submitted to MaxPreps by coaches/team statisticians.

Look for the poll at the bottom of the page.

On to the nominees:

Noah Defaii, James Logan water polo: In a battle for first place in the Mission Valley Athletic League, the senior had two goals, two assists and three steals to lead the Colts to a 6-5 victory over Washington-Fremont.

Ethan Havens, College Park football: The junior completed 28 of 43 passes for 422 yards with five touchdowns and zero interceptions in a 44-40 loss to Northgate. A week earlier, he threw for 319 yards and three TDs without an interception in a 40-6 win over Alhambra.

Jeovanni Henley, Serra football: Two plays after losing a fumble, the junior turned the momentum around with an interception that he returned for a touchdown as Serra defeated Archbishop Mitty 28-13 to remain unbeaten in West Catholic Athletic League play.

Gage Jones, Live Oak football: The junior rushed for 328 yards in 43 carries and scored five touchdowns to lead Live Oak to a wild 52-46 victory on the road over Branham in a BVAL Mt. Hamilton Division game. Finished with more than 400 all-purpose yards.

Charlie Metherd, Miramonte football: With the starting quarterback injured in the first half, the senior put on his pads at halftime and led the Matadors on a game-winning drive to beat Las Lomas 25-22 on Senior Night despite having a broken wrist himself. Finished 5-of-7 passing for 79 yards and a TD.

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Jordan Nguyen, Arroyo football: The senior was credited with 10 tackles (nine solo, three for loss) as Arroyo won a defensive battle against previously undefeated Alameda 13-8 to move into sole possession of first place in the WACC Shoreline Division.

Ian Ondricek, Monte Vista football: The senior completed 18 of 20 passes for 207 yards and two touchdowns to help lead the host Mustangs to a 34-13 victory over previously undefeated California in East Bay Athletic League Mountain Division play.

Liam Rutigliano, Christopher water polo: The junior had five goals, five assists and three steals to lead Christopher to a 17-6 victory over Silver Creek He has 76 goals, 54 assists and 37 steals on the season.

Michael Sargent, Sacred Heart Cathedral football: The senior passed for four touchdowns, including the game-winner to Chase Jenkins from 14 yards out with four seconds left, to lead the Fighting Irish to a 34-29 victory over Valley Christian. Finished 11-of-17 passing for 194 yards.

Michael Vasquez, Mt. Diablo football: The junior completed 11 of 16 passes for 195 yards and four touchdowns as Mt. Diablo rolled to a 56-7 rout of Berean Christian in DAL Mountain Division play.