The 49ers High School Player of the Week Award for Week 5 goes to Chris Guengerich of Saratoga High School.
The senior wide receiver is determined to ensure either his academic accomplishments during the week or his athletic achievements on the weekends will carry him to the next stage of his life. Guengerich boasts a 4.2 GPA and has received interest from the football programs at Brown, Penn, Cornell and Princeton.
On Friday night, Guengerich did his best to bolster his athletic profile. In a 39-13 win over visiting Lynbrook High School, Guengerich caught eight passes for 155 yards and three scores. The effort helped the Falcons improve to 3-2 on the season.
Part of what makes Guengerich so successful on the field is his cerebral approach to his position. Saratoga head coach Tim Lugo credits much of Guengerich's success to his ability to make adjustments on his routes.
On Friday night in particular, Lugo recalled Guengerich making a pre-play audible with the quarterback where he checked to a fade from the called slant route. Guengerich then used what Lugo calls as "the best body control of any receiver I have ever coached", enabling him to come down with a beautiful over-the-shoulder catch for the touchdown and an early 7-0 lead.
For his efforts, the 49ers honor Saratoga receiver Chris Guengerich as this week's High School Player of the Week.
As the home school of the 49ers High School Player of the Week, Saratoga High School will receive a $500 grant for their football program. Guengerich will receive a 49ers hat and t-shirt, a certificate signed by 49ers Head Coach Mike Singletary, two tickets to a 49ers home game and recognition on 49ers.com. At the end of the season, Guengerich will be invited to the 49ers Training Facility to accept a trophy recognizing his achievement.
