MOSES SAYGBE

Elk River, football

Barely two months ago, Saygbe was preparing for his senior season, looking forward to his role as an outside linebacker.

First-year head coach Steve Hamilton had other ideas.

He approached the 6-foot, 195-pound Saygbe with a proposition.

"I saw him on film and wondered if he would play running back," Hamilton said. "It was a natural fit with his size and the fact that he runs as well as anyone on the team."

Saygbe wasn't so sure.

"I didn't really understand the position," Saygbe said. "But the way Coach Hamilton talked, he made it sound easy."

It's turned out to be a season-altering decision. After a winless 2010 season, the Elks are 5-1 and Saygbe has become one of the more dynamic runners in the metro area.

He rushed Friday for 173 yards and scored three touchdowns in a 35-22 victory over Buffalo. Through six games, Saygbe is the third-leading rusher in the metro with 1,011 yards on just 110 carries, a 9.2 yards-per-attempt average.

"I'm shocked that things have gone this well," Saygbe said. "I'm not the greatest runner but I do have a great line blocking for me."

And how does Saygbe now feel about moving to running back?

"I feel pretty good about it," he said. "I get recognized a lot and that's cool. And we're having a great season. I'm pretty blessed."

QURAN AL-HAMEED

Woodbury, football

The junior running back stepped in for injured starter Junius Wilson and had the best game of his career, rushing 29 times for 234 yards and scoring on runs of 1, 75 and 1 yard in a 37-24 victory over Roseville.

HALEY BERTSCH

Legacy Christian, volleyball

Playing shorthanded for much of the week, the Lions won only two of seven matches. But Bertsch, a senior outside hitter, did all she could to pull the team along, registering 111 kills, 92 digs, 18 aces, nine blocks and her 400th serve receive of the season.

NIKKI LARSON

Edina, swimming

In a 93-88 victory over Wayzata, the senior won the 50-yard freestyle (23.64) and 100-yard freestyle (51.43) -- both fastest times in the metro -- and was on the winning 200- and 400-freestyle relay teams.

BRIANNA MUETZEL

Cretin-Derham Hall, volleyball

In victories over Suburban East Conference rivals Roseville and Woodbury, Muetzel, a senior outside hitter, had 30 kills, 39 digs and three blocks. The first-place Raiders improved to 8-0 in conference play.

SAM PELLEGRENE

Providence, football

The senior running back and defensive back was a force on both sides of the ball in a 37-13 victory over Minnehaha Academy. He had 223 all-purpose yards, scored a touchdown, made six tackles and intercepted three passes.

HANNAH WEIDNER

Minnetonka, volleyball

The sophomore right-side hitter had a breakout week as the Skippers won the St. Michael-Albertville Invitational. In eight matches over seven days, she had 92 kills and was named to the all-tournament team.

JIM PAULSEN