The temperature is dropping, and the field lights are coming on much earlier as the fall sports season nears an end. 

This week will be all playoffs as the football regular season wrapped last week. Volleyball, girls tennis and cross country’s postseasons are also running, with swimming and girls golf having concluded. 

With everyone in Lexington County facing must-win scenarios, some of the area’s top athletes are showing up big time for their squads. The playoffs make legends, and this week’s Athlete of the Week winners will look to lead their teams to victory and become immortalized. 

Voting for Athlete of the Week runs from 10 a.m. Saturday to 10 a.m. Monday each week at lexingtonchronicle.com/athleteoftheweek. To submit a nominee for consideration, email a photo and short bio to sports@lexingtonchronicle.com.

Jai Chuniesingh 

Pelion receiver Jai Chuniesingh helped his team end the regular season with a much-needed win to give the team a shot of momentum and better their matchup in the playoffs. 

Before their 50-7 victory over American Leadership, the Panthers were near the bottom of the region standings with one conference win, and could’ve slipped to last place and out of the playoffs entirely. 

Chuniesingh and the Panthers made sure that did not happen. The team dominated the Patriots behind an explosive offensive performance. Chuniesingh finished with three touchdowns and eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark for the season. 

The senior has been the go-to target in Pelion’s passing game this season. His play helped the Panthers win five games this season, their most since 2014. 

Pelion will open the playoffs next week on the road against Liberty. The team will need a big game from Chuniesingh to pull off the win. 

Alexis Jodie

River Bluff senior setter Alexis Jodie helped her team move closer to a state title match appearance last week. 

The Gators won both of their postseason matchups last week, beating both West Ashley and James Island in three sets. 

Jodie did her job well, racking up assists, including 38 against West Ashley. That performance set a new season-high for Jodie. 

The senior is in her final few games as a Gator. From setting in the state title game during her eighth-grade season to now, Jodie has come a long way. 

River Bluff played in the state semifinal Tuesday after the Chronicle’s press deadline. If the Gators won and advanced to Saturday’s championship, it will be a full-circle moment.