First Team
OFFENSE
1. Jake Raspopovich
QB, Merrillville, Sr.
Bio: The trigger man of the offense that broke the state record for yards in a season, Raspo was electric in leading the Pirates to the 5A final four. He broke nearly every school passing record, but apparently is too short to play big-time college football. "A lot of schools missed out," Pirates coach Zac Wells said.
Stats: 196-297-8 passing, 3,154 yards, 32 TDs; 147 carries, 955 yards, 14 TDs
2. David Yancey
RB, Lake Central, Sr.
Bio: The Purdue-bound standout was most of the Indians' offense, which became a big issue when he was injured in Week 9 and unable to play. His game against Chesterton proved how talented this kid is.
Stats: 150 carries, 1,184 yards, 17 TDs
3. Dylan Collins
RB, Merrillville, Sr.
Bio: The explosive Collins missed three games with a knee injury and still posted monster numbers. He wasn't 100 percent, but his return gave the Pirates a post-season lift.
Stats: 166 carries, 1,379 yards, 13 TDs
4. Aaron Dye
WR, Merrillville, Sr.
Bio: Dye burned defenders so badly on deep routes, they needed a telescope to see him. He also had the knack for turning quick slants into long scores. Dye rewrote the Pirates' receiving record book.
Stats: 62 catches, 1,293 yards, 16 TDs
5. Joe Troop
WR, Chesterton, Sr.
Bio: It's not hyperbole to call Troop one of the region's top all-time return threats. The few teams who let him touch the ball paid the price. Defenses spied 47, but still found themselves losing races to the end zone.
Stats: 1,900-plus all-purpose yards
6. Dennis Fielder
OL, Andrean, Sr.
Bio: The standout left guard was an anchor for the regional champion 59ers. A leader on and off the field, Fielder's power and athleticism keyed one of the area's most explosive offenses.
7. Malcolm Donley
OL, Merrillville, Jr.
Bio: The Pirates' prolific offense had an almost exact 50-50 split in passing-rushing yards, and that couldn't have done without guys in the trenches like Donley, who is solid in pass blocking as well as opening running holes holes.
8. Gerald Valenzuela
OL, Hobart, Sr.
Bio: The Brickies had a breakout year at 8-3 and like those great teams of the past, the line was great. This 5-foot-10, 290-pound force of nature led the way with a 90-percent grade out.
9. Alfredo Gutierrez
OL, Morton, Sr.
Bio: The 245-pounder was a three-year starter and won a sectional each season. Voted "Leader of the Govs" by his teammates, showing what a captain is all about. Top shelf.
10. Sean Jones
OL, Crown Point, Sr.
Bio: The 6-3, 260-pounder led the 'Dogs with 33 pancake blocks. He anchored a line that had a 2,000-yard passer and a 1,000-yard rusher. This kid couldn't be moved even if you brought an army to help.
11. Michael Oljace
OL, Lake Central, Sr.
Bio: The two-year starter battled through a shoulder injury and was still one of the best around. His talent and toughness has schools like Indiana, Indiana State and Illinois State courting his services.
12. Aaron Delgrosso
K, Hobart, Sr.
Bio: There is a reason IU knows this kid's cell number. Hobart coach Ryan Turley said, "The best I've ever seen." Had 47 touchbacks out of 60 kickoffs. Also, had two 50-yard-plus field goals.
Stats: 42-42 PATs; 16-20 FGs; 25 punts, 39.5 avg.
13. Matt DeSomer
Athlete, Andrean, Jr.
Bio: The 59ers QB did everything on offense side. No defense could shut him down. Load the box and he would throw. Put in a nickel package and he would run.
Stats: 147 carries, 1,364 yards, 24 TDs; 87-167 passing, 1,342 yards, 15 TDs
14. Tyler Birky
Athlete, Kankakee Valley, Sr.
Bio: The 6-2, 220-pound bruiser set a Kougars rushing record as he led his team to a remarkable 8-2 record. Everything has changed in Wheatfield and it started with this kid.
Stats: 1,463 yards rushing, 24 TDs; 24 tackles
15. Antonio Pipkin
Athlete, Bowman Academy, Sr.
Bio: The sure D-I QB led the Eagles to their best record in history at 6-5. His numbers were good though he missed two games due to an injury and wasn't 100 percent upon return. A great arm and great eye for finding open receivers.
Stats: 98-177 passing, 2,349 yards, 25 TDs; 38 carries for 255 yards, 3 TDs
DEFENSE
1. Ryley Harlow
DL, Chesterton, Sr.
Bio: Strong and relentless, Harlow was the only Trojan to consistently play both ways. He was part of a veteran group that couldn't be run on for most of the season.
2. Curtis Freeman
DL, Morton, Sr.
Bio: Few teams could run on the Govs and it all started up front. Voted team MVP on defense, the 6-1, 255-pound Freeman was a rock who didn't roll.
Stats: 108 tackles, 5 sacks, 3 TFL
3. Jalen Alston
DL, E.C. Central, Sr.
Bio: Tall, lean and strong, led the way for one of the area's most-improved units. Was in the backfield often, laying a vicious hit whenever the opportunity arose. Will play on Saturday.
Stats: 79 tackles, 12 sacks, 18 TFL
4. Nick Serrato
LB, Andrean, Sr.
Bio: The 59ers evolved when Serrato was moved to linebacker. Good became great. The standout athlete with a nose for the ball took his team one game from Indy.
Stats: 132 tackles, 10 sacks, 5 TFL; 20 catches for 234 yards, 3 TDs
5. Gelen Robinson
LB, Lake Central, Jr.
Bio: The Times Defensive Player of the Year was a man amongst boys. Could not be blocked. Could not be stopped. The scary thing is he is hungry to get better and has another year.
Stats: 95 tackles, 47 TFL, 13 sacks, 29 hurries, 5 forced fumbles
6. Martayveus Carter
LB, E.C. Central, Jr.
Bio: Purdue is one of many D-I programs interested in this 5-11, 200-pound phenom. Can do it all and do it extremely well. Led the Cards to their best record (9-2) in 20 years. Best is yet to come.
Stats: 123 tackles, 10 sacks, 31 TFL, 3 blocked kicks; 93 carries, 1,296 yards, 19 TDs
7. Jesse Woods-Curtis
LB, Hammond, Sr.
Bio: The leader of the Wildcats' turnaround, he could do it on both sides of the ball. Used his athleticism and ball-hawking presence to make plays. Ask Morton if he's a player or not.
Stats: 56 tackles, 8 for loss; 168 carries, 1,174 yards, 18 TDs
8. Justin Jendreas
DB, Whiting, Sr.
Bio: The Oilers were undefeated in the region and Jendreas was a big reason why. Did everything, including long snapper and holding for kicks. The Oilers' Offensive MVP, this great athlete will be missed.
Stats: 55 tackles, 4 INT; 69 carries for 591 yards, 26 catches for 460 yards; 16 TDs
9. Tyler Smith
DB, Crown Point, Sr.
Bio: The Bulldogs' best player did a little of everything, even starting two games as tailback when needed. Led C.P. to the sectional final for the second year in a row.
Stats: 36 tackles, 4 INT; 37 catches for 493 yards, 4 TDs; 48 carries for 321 yards, 7 TDs
10. Ryan Neal
DB, Merrillville, Jr.
Bio: Contrary to opinion, the Pirates did play some defense, too, and Neal was at the forefront, leading the area in picks while also proving to be a sturdy tackler.
Stats: 123 tackles (90 solos), 9 INT, 9 PBU, 2 fumble recoveries.
11. Larunte Fairley
DB, E.C. Central, Sr.
Bio: The 5-9, 160-pounder won't scare you at first look, but his name is in the national record book. He tied the mark for four Pick 6s in one season, missing his fifth by a yard against Morton. Historic seasons all around.
Stats: 84 tackles, 7 INT; 62 carries, 584 yards, 7 TDs, 15 catches, 263 yards.
12. Matt Warren
P, Merrillville, Sr.
Bio: As if the Pirates didn't need anything else, they had one of the area's best two-way legs. Not that Merrillville punted much, but when the Bucs did, it was Warren who pinned opponents deep.
Stats: 46 punts, 33.3 avg.; 68-74 PATs, 9-11 FGs
13. Austin Brown
Athlete, Griffith, Sr.
Bio: Oh, what could have been. One of the region's top all-around players, Brown had his season ended at East Chicago and the Panthers were done, too. Game changer to the 10th power.
Stats: 86 tackles, 4 INT.; 150 carries, 1,047 yards, 17 TDs; 484 yards passing; 22 punts, 37.5 avg.
14. Zack Kogut
Athlete, Andrean, Sr.
Bio: Fullback/linebacker was one of the 59ers' top dogs. Physical, strong and tough, he played with a passion visible from the cheap seats. Andrean doesn't get to the semistate without him.
Stats: 98 tackles, 482 yards rushing, 7 TDs
14. Angel Rosario
Athlete, Bishop Noll, Sr.
Bio: No team improved more from August to November more than the Warriors. Took sectional champion Winamac down to the wire in the semifinal. This strong 200-pound linebacker brought it every Friday.
Stats: 171 tackles.
15. Patrick Shaw
Athlete, E.C. Central, Jr.
Bio: D-I coaches are driving to E.C. to talk to Shaw, one of the state's top tacklers. At 6-1, 225 pounds, he is likely not a linebacker at the next level. But he is now. Duck and run for cover.
Stats: 168 tackles, 20 TFL, 4 forced fumbles
Second team
OFFENSE
1. QB -- A.J. Veloz, Whiting, Jr.
Bio: Led one of the area's top offenses to an undefeated regular season.
Stats: 122-198-5 passing, 2,011 yards, 25 TDs
2. RB -- George Fields, Lowell, Jr.
Bio: The up-and-down Devils were always on top when Fields had a good game. Strong, tough and quick, reminded many of previous No. 6s.
Stats: 277 carries, 1,811 yards, 21 TDs
3. RB -- Kendall Huff, Morton, Sr.
Bio: Huff is one reason Morton's senior class didn't lose a sectional game. The standout athlete and student ran like the wind and was as tough as an old can of Spam.
Stats: 1,320 yards rushing, 44 catches, 428 yards, 12 TDs
4. RB -- James Taylor, Bowman Academy, Jr.
Bio: Opponents saw "fire and rain" when Taylor had the ball.
Stats: 195 carries, 1,238 yards, 13 TDs
5. WR -- Patrick Petruf, Whiting, Sr.
Bio: Whiting's deep threat had a lot of teams chasing his shadow. Like most Oilers, Petruf did a little of everything.
Stats: 43 catches, 975 yards, 13 TDs; 56 tackles, 4 INT
6. WR -- Zach Plesac, Crown Point, Sr.
Bio: Coach Kevin Enright said Plesac was C.P.'s "go-to guy" when the game was on the line; a fierce competitor.
Stats: 60 catches, 862 yards, 8 TDs
7. OL -- Spencer Kersey, Lowell, Sr.
Bio: Like all those before him, the 6-3, 236-pound force played both sides of the ball like a beast. Could not be moved. Period.
8. OL -- Thomas Sowinski, Munster, Sr.
Bio: The 6-2, 230-pound tackle graded out at well over 90 percent, higher than any Mustang in the last decade.
9. OL -- Paul Runyan, Valparaiso, Sr.
Bio: The 290-pound Viking was the lead road grader for a potent running attack, grading at 88.68 percent for his blocking.
10. OL -- Tom Dabertin, Whiting, Jr.
Bio: The Oilers' top offensive lineman, he led a physical group that opened holes for one of Class A's top attacks.
11. OL -- Ryan Gordish, Bishop Noll, Sr.
Bio: Graded out as the Warriors' top blocker at well over 90 percent. Coach Mike Juscik said he dominated from start to finish.
12. K -- Hunter Hickman, Rensselaer, Sr.
Bio: This Bomber did something only Luers did in the postseason -- make Andrean sweat.
Stats: 12-16 PATs; 98-198 passing, 1,589 yards, 16 TDs; 301 yards rushing, 4 TDs
13. Athlete -- LaKice Brooks, Highland, Sr.
Bio: The hard-nosed athlete helped the Trojans to two sectional wins, a postseason run that will get him to Saturdays.
Stats: 1,455 yards rushing, 10 TDs
14. Athlete -- Cody Poynter, Boone Grove, Sr.
Bio: The Wolves made huge strides, but weren't the same after the cornerstone of the program went down with a knee injury.
Stats: 140 carries, 1,078 yards, 14 TDs; 8 catches, 134 yards, 2 TDs
15. Athlete -- Jeremy Truchan, Wheeler, Sr.
Bio: The Bearcats were 0-3 when they turned to Truchan to play QB. Once he got the ball on every snap, they ran off six in a row before meeting Andrean.
Stats: 47-85 passing, 848 yards, 8 TDs; 66 carries, 479 yards, 8 TDs; 11 catches, 301 yards, 2 TDs; punt return TD; 28 tackles
DEFENSE
1. DL -- C.J. Lessentine, Lake Central, Jr.
Bio: This low-to-the-ground pounder was in the backfield more than the other team's QB. Like Mt. Rushmore, could not be pushed.
Stats: 65 tackles, 33 TFL, 9 sacks, 25 hurries
2. DL -- Nick Bokun, Hobart, Jr.
Bio: The 6-4, 240-pounder has strong interest by Michigan, Indiana, Harvard and Northern Illinois.
Stats: 55 tackles, 11 TFL, 2 TDs
3. DL -- Michael Hines, Lake Central, Sr.
Bio: The Indians' nose tackle was a beast. Couldn't be moved or stopped.
Stats: 54 tackles, 22 TFL, 6 sacks, 12 hurries
4. LB -- Anthony Geisen, Crown Point, Sr.
Bio: The inside linebacker showed great discipline reading his keys. The tough technician gave everything he had.
Stats: 87 tackles, 6 TFL, 6 PBU
5. LB -- Anthony Mauer, Lowell, Sr.
Bio: The Red Devils' leading tackler hit like a train and could make plays from sideline to sideline.
Stats: 106 tackles
6. LB -- Jason Wedryk, Bishop Noll, Sr.
Bio: Simply put, a game changer. Had great reaction time on the ball and always seemed to find it in the rush of a play.
Stats: 96 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, 3 INT
7. LB -- Johnny Williams, Kankakee Valley, So.
Bio: The 205-pounder set a school record with 85 solo tackles. Good things happened at K.V. and Williams' fingerprints are all over it.
Stats: 93 tackles, 7 TFL, 10 sacks
8. DB -- A.J. Snyder, Chesterton, Sr.
Bio: The coach's kid was Chesterton's version of Champ Bailey. Snyder only had six passes completed in his area, the longest for 16 yards.
Stats: 8 PBU, 3 INT, 3 blocked FGs
9. DB -- Anthony Burgos, Hobart, Sr.
Bio: If ever a player deserved better it was Burgos. A missed call in the K.V. game caused the standout to miss the Mishawaka game.
Stats: 76 tackles, 5 TFL, 4 INT; 22 catches, 273 yards; 916 all-purpose yards
10. DB -- Jason Stewart, E.C. Central, Jr.
Bio: The 5-foot-10, 170-pounder is one of many Cardinals who will be back for another run. Tough, quick and agile. A winner.
Stats: 112 tackles, 11 TFL, 4 INT
11. DB -- Kyle Sturdy, South Central, Jr.
Stats: 41 completions, 500 yards, 3 TDs; 150 carries, 1105 yards, 19 TDs, 58 tackles.
12. P -- J.J. Pennington, River Forest, Sr.
Bio: The standout QB could also do it with his foot. Was the Ingots' go-to guy.
Stats: 17 punts, 34.5 avg., 58-113 passing, 950 yards, 8 TDs
13. Athlete -- Rashaan Coleman, Sr., Portage
Bio: Coleman continued to be defined by his versatility, able to line up at QB, running back or receiver. Given his physical nature, defense could be his best position.
14. Athlete -- Stephen Simms, Sr., Valparaiso
Bio: Dynamite came in a small package with the 5-6 Simms, the area's best return man not named Troop.
Stats: 100 carries, 718 yards, 10 TDs; 25 catches, 430 yards, 6 TDs; 3 return TDs
15. Athlete -- Andy Franko, Whiting, Sr.
Bio: The rock solid linebacker was the Oilers' defensive MVP, helping them to an undefeated regular season.
Stats: 87 tackles, 5 TFL, 3 fumble recoveries
Honorable mention
Duneland Athletic Conference
CHESTERTON -- Trever Walker, Dana Konchar, Chris Katsafaros, Andrew Ralph; CROWN POINT -- Jake Jatis, Conner Andras, Brendyn McKinnon, Braxton Rice; LAKE CENTRAL -- Riley Arvanitis, Luke Taylor; LAPORTE -- Kody Harlow, Bronson Severs, Luke McCarty; MERRILLVILLE -- Brian Jenkins, Tom Scolaro, Quentin Lacey-Blackwell, Brandon Oliver; MICHIGAN CITY -- Logan Kaletha, Daniel Lemon, Marquis Martin; PORTAGE -- Ross Williams, Kenyota Rollins, Nate Johnson; VALPARAISO -- Andrew Kittridge, CJ Gear, Lonnie Pappas.
Northwest Crossroads Conference
ANDREAN -- Ramon Guerrero, Shamir Johnson, Trevor Berg, Matt Anderson; GRIFFITH -- Brett Brinkley, Ben Parish; HIGHLAND -- Trevor O'Donnell, Gunner Grider; HOBART -- Drew Devereaux, Alex Metz, Ian Drobac, Andrew Barras; KANKAKEE VALLEY -- Matt Berdine, Bob Aguillon, Johnny Morrison, Matt Myers; LOWELL -- Dan Garza, Mitch Leckrone; MUNSTER -- Ernest Carter, Scott Shaner, Alex Crowe, Nick Marlow.
Greater South Shore Conference
BISHOP NOLL -- Austin Solis, Jordan Taylor, Elijah Golumbeck; CALUMET -- James Adams; LAKE STATION -- Kyle Gooch; NORTH NEWTON -- Chad Schultz; RIVER FOREST -- John Flores; SOUTH CENTRAL -- Alec Sturdy, Alex Morrow, Jonah Pacione, Robert Miller, Adam Clindaniel; WHEELER -- Derek Hartwig, Kyle Catherman, Jake Bertucci, Sam Bolla, Jack Sommer; WHITING -- Ethan Young, Marcelo Lopez.
Great Lakes Athletic Conference
CLARK -- Matthew Ramirez; GAVIT -- Tashon Rogers; HAMMOND -- Thomas Gary; MORTON -- Eleazar Henderson, Jimmy Glidewell.
Northwestern Conference
LEW WALLACE -- Darius Mahome; ROOSEVELT -- Jerry Ruiz; WEST SIDE -- Ramone Atkins, JonVea Johnson, Lonnie Johnson.
Others
BOONE GROVE -- Dean Hill, Kyle Wolfe, Corey Beatty, Garrett Glisk, Jason Sawa, Niko Kilburg; BOWMAN ACADEMY-- Laron Golden, Maurice Phillips; E.C. CENTRAL -- Demetris Cousins, Jason Stewart; RENSSELAER -- Braydon Mattocks, Ryan Lattimore, Ab Kiger.
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