Seven local football players named AP first-team all-state

Awards aren't why most football players put on the pads

But it's also nice to be recognized.

"It's definitely an honor. It's something I'll remember my whole life," Lake Central's Ike Spearman said of his selection to the Associated Press Class 5A All-State team. "You play to win, but the accolades at the end make you feel like you did something. I give all the thanks to my teammates for helping me get there."

Spearman, a 6-foot-1, 220-pound senior linebacker who is verbally committed to Mississippi, is one of seven Northwest Indiana players to receive first-team distinction in their respective classes.

"I think Ike worked extremely hard in the off-season to prepare for the year and he had a great year as a result of all that," L.C. coach Brett St. Germain said.

Valparaiso center Johnny Bednar and Munster punter Mark Strbjak joined Spearman on the 5A list. Better known as a quarterback, the 6-3, 200-pound Strbjak broke the school's record, which stood since 1975, with an average of 41.26 yards per boot.

Vikings coach Mark Hoffman rated the 6-3, 220-pound Bednar as the best long snapper he ever had in his 35 years at the school.

"He has the long-snapping ability to play on Sunday in the NFL," Hoffman said in Bednar's all-area nomination bio. "Johnny was our best blocker."

Lowell's Tyler Wright, a 6-4, 243-pound guard, was the sole region representative in Class 4A. Wright came back strong this season after missing most of his junior year with a knee injury.

The 2A list featured Andrean running back Mason Zurek and linebacker Ricky Johnston and Wheeler wide receiver-running back Robert Hurd, a repeat honoree.

The 6-foot, 195-pound Zurek rushed for 1,304 yards and 22 touchdowns while Johnston, 5-10, 185 pounds, amassed 101 tackles, 14 of them for a loss.

Hurd was forced to play quarterback for several games for the sectional-champion Bearcats after Nick Naspinski broke his ankle. He still exceeded 1,600 yards in rushing and receiving.

"I played so many different positions, my numbers weren't that great anywhere," said Hurd, a 5-9, 155-pound speedster. "I had solid rushing yards, but that's  not my primary position. I was never too concerned about numbers. At the end of the day, it was about getting the 'W' for the team. That's all I was concerned with."