Lake Forest College football players Ed Dobernig and Jon Gurchak were named Midwest Conference Defensive and Special Team Performers of the Week, respectively, on Monday for their performance in the Foresters' 17-10 victory at Cornell College on Saturday.
Dobernig, a senior cornerback, racked up 65 return yards while accounting for two of the Forester defense's five turnovers in the contest. His interception and 32-yard return ended the Rams' first drive of the game and the visitors took the early lead with a 21-yard touchdown pass on the next play. Dobernig also recovered a fumble and returned it 33 yards for a touchdown late in the third quarter to give Lake Forest a 17-3 advantage. He also finished the game with six tackles, including five solos, and three pass breakups.
Gurchak, a sophomore kicker and punter, excelled in both roles on Saturday. He kicked a 25-yard field goal and made both of his extra points on the day. He also recorded touchbacks on three of his four kick-offs. As a punter he averaged 38.0 yards with an average net of 36.0 yards on 12 punts. Cornell's average field position following punts and kickoffs was inside its own 29-yardline.
Dobernig ranks fourth on the team with 39 tackles this season and is tied for second on the squad with three interceptions. He has a dozen interceptions in his career, which is tied for fourth place in program history. Gurchak leads Lake Forest in scoring and already ranks seventh in team history in field goals and fourth in extra points.
MWC Performers of the Week are selected by the league's sports information director. It is the third weekly honor of the season for Gurchak and Dobernig also earned the award once as a freshman.
