First Team
OFFENSE
Marcus Terrell
QB, Crete-Monee, Sr.
Stats: 238-of-349 passing, 3,347 yards, 40 TDs, 8 INT
Bio: Terrell broke his own school single-season passing records and is fifth nationally in highest completion percentage for his career at 437-of-650 passing for 6,169 yards and a 67.2 completion rate. He is getting looks from several schools, including the Ivy League.
Matt Domer
RB, Mount Carmel, Sr.
Stats: 155 carries, 1,365 yards, 20 TDs, 8 catches, 65 yards
Bio: Domer gained a lot of real estate in helping the Caravan to the Class 8A title. He often got big gains at key times. He averaged 8.8 yards per carry.
Justus Brantley
RB, Bloom Township, Jr.
Stats: 130 carries, 1,026 yards, 12 TDs, 9 catches, 146 yards, 2 TDs
Bio: All-Southland Conference and the reason his Blazing Trojans made the playoffs for the first time since 1991. Even when teams knew he was coming, they had a hard time stopping him.
Laquon Treadwell
WR, Crete-Monee, Sr.
Stats: 81 catches, 1,424 yards, 16 TDs, 34 carries, 257 yards, 7 TDs, 40 solos, 16 assists, 6 INT
Bio: The Times Offensive Player of the Year for the second straight year dominated both sides of the ball. He almost single-handedly led Crete to a comeback win over Peoria Richwoods in a Class 6A second-round game. He also dominated in the Class 6A state title win over Cary-Grove. He has narrowed his choices to Mississippi, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Michigan and Michigan State. He was the Southland Athletic Conference's most valuable offensive player.
Lance Lenoir
WR, Crete-Monee, Sr.
Stats: 69 catches, 1,113 yards, 15 TDs
Bio: Another playmaker in the Crete-Monee arsenal. His ability to catch a pass and break away kept defenses honest and from double-teaming Treadwell. He was an All-Southland pick.
Willie Ross
TE, Homewood-Flossmoor, Sr.
Stats: 25 catches, 447 yards, 10 TDs
Bio: He averaged 17.9 yards per catch for the high-scoring Vikings.
Sammy Kessler
OL,T.F. South, Sr.
Bio: Graded out over 90 percent on his blocking assignments which enabled the Rebels to run the ball and make the playoffs. He was an All-South Suburban Blue pick.
Jimmy Walsh
OL, Crete-Monee, Sr.
Bio: Part of an offensive line that allowed four sacks the entire season. A good pass blocker as well.
Juan Beltran
OL, Mount Carmel, Sr.
Bio: A big key to the Caravan's 4,620 yards of total offense, including 3,426 on the ground. An All-Catholic Blue pick.
Nick Dreixler
OL, Mount Carmel, Sr.
Bio: Three-year varsity player and two-year starter at center. An All-Catholic League Blue pick.
Payson Wick
OL, Homewood-Flossmoor
Bio: One of the best blockers in the SouthWest Suburban Blue and a two-year starter. He is being courted by several Ivy League schools.
Ivan Strmic
K, Mount Carmel, Sr.
Stats: 63 PATs, 7 FGs
Bio: He has been on the varsity since his sophomore year. He also sent several kickoffs into the endzone.
Don Butkus
ATHLETE, Mount Carmel, Sr.
Stats: 74-of-137 passing, 17 TDs, 3 INT, 114 carries, 566 yards, 14 TDs
Bio: Despite a sore ankle, the quarterback scored on a 35-yard run in the Class 8A state title game as the Caravan beat Glenbard North. He also rushed for 50 yards and passed for 34 in the game. Butkus was an expert of running the veer option and completed 54 percent of his passes.
Draco Smith
ATHLETE, Mount Carmel, Sr.
Stats: 149 carries, 932 yards, 11 TDs, 6 catches, 81 yards, 1 TD
Bio: The running back rushed for 129 yards and a score in the Class 8A title game as the Caravan won their 11th state title. Northern Illinois recruit averaged 6.3 yards a carry and was three-year starter.
JoWahn Brown, Jr.
ATHLETE, Thornton, Jr.
Stats: 128-of-179 passing, 1,885 yards, 29 TDs, 7 INT
Bio: Brown completed 72 percent of his passes and helped the Wildcats to the SouthWest Suburban Red title. He will be one of the top quarterbacks in the state in 2013.
Ron Johnson
ATHLETE, Homewood-Flossmoor, Sr.
Stats: 106-of-176 passing, 1,595 yards, 30 TDs, 5 INT, 308 yards rushing, 4 TDs
Bio: Completed 62.4 percent of his passes in leading an inexperienced Vikings team. His arm gave H-F the ability to stretch the field.
DEFENSE
Austin Berryhill
DL, T.F. South, Sr.
Stats: 60 solos, 20 assists, 12 1/2 sacks, 8 TFLS
Bio: Despite being only 5-foot-6, Berryhill was tough at stopping the run. He was an academic all-state selection.
Steve Richardson
DL, Mount Carmel, Jr.
Stats: 45 tackles, 21 TFLS
Bio: Anchored the line and often was in the opponent's backfield. A big reason the Class 8A state champs posted five shutouts.
Keith Carter
LB, Homewood-Flossmoor, Sr.
Stats: 71 solos, 13 assists, 10 TFLS
Bio: One of the top linebackers in the SouthWest Suburban Blue and the Vikings' leading tackler.
Connor Griffin
LB, Mount Carmel, Sr.
Stats: 60 tackles, 10 TFLs
Bio: In the Class 8A state championship game, he almost shadowed Glenbard North star running back Justin Jackson and had several big tackles on him. Only 5-foot-9 and 170 pounds, he often took on 300-pound linemen in the Catholic League Blue.
Malcolm Hurt
LB, Bloom Township, Sr.
Stats: 142 total tackles, 4 sacks, 4 INT
Bio: An All-Southland Athletic Conference pick, he helped anchor a tough Blazing Trojans' defense.
Nyles Morgan
LB, Crete-Monee, Sr.
Stats: 73 solos, 34 assists, 13 TFLs
Bio: The Times Defensive Player of the Year came up with big hits all season, including forcing Cary-Grove's Kyle Norberg to fumble in the third quarter of the Class 6A state title game. Was part of a defense that gave up just four regular-season touchdowns. Has over a dozen offers. He returned a fumble 78 yards for a score against Marian Catholic.
Jalen Banks
DB, Thornton, Sr.
Stats: 31 solos, 29 assists, 3 INT, 3 fumble recoveries
Bio: The Vanderbilt recruit also had eight break-ups and blocked four punts and a field-goal. A three-year starter and a game-changer.
Josiah Dailey
DB, Bloom Township, Sr.
Stats: 61 tackles, 7 INT
Bio: A four-year starter, he came up with some big touchdown-saving tackles to lead Bloom to its first playoff appearance since 1991. Was an All-Southland Athletic Conference selection.
Jason Towns
DB, Thornton, Sr.
Stats: 19 solos, 25 assists, 8 INT
Bio: The Illinois State recruit also had 15 pass breakups. He was an academic all-state pick and caught 35 passes for 367 yards and six TDs.
Justin Sanchez
DB, Mount Carmel, Sr.
Stats: 51 tackles, 3 INT
Bio: He came up with the big play or stop when the Caravan needed it. Sanchez had an interception in the Class 8A title game. He also broke up six passes.
Joe Pavlik
P, Mount Carmel, Sr.
Stats: 25 punts, 1,100 yards
Bio: Pavlik averaged 44 yards per punt and ranks in the top three of his class.
Raphael Canty
ATHLETE, T.F. South, Jr.
Stats: 60 solos, 24 assists, 4 1/2 sacks, 3 TFLs
Bio: A two-year starter, Canty was a leader on both sides of the ball. He moved to tight end and his blocking skills improved the Rebels' running game.
Paul Ivy
ATHLETE, St. Francis de Sales, Sr.
Stats: 102 total tackles, 11 TFLs, 1 INT
Bio: He was everywhere for the struggling Pioneers' team. The linebacker/defensive end also recovered three fumbles.
Saleem Sanford
ATHLETE, T.F. South, Sr.
Stats: 120 carries, 879 yards, 24 catches, 415 yards, 18 total TDs, 35 solos, 15 assists, 3 INT
Bio: A running back and defensive back, he was one of the senior leaders who helped lead the Rebels to a 7-3 record and share of the South Suburban Blue title. He was also a good blocker, clearing the way for others to pick up yards. An All-SSC Blue pick.
Vince Speller
ATHLETE, Mount Carmel, Sr.
Stats: 40 tackles, 7 TFLs, 3 INTs, 13 catches, 218 yards, 2 TDs
Bio: Speller was a two-year starter and averaged 16.8 yards per catch. He had a big interception in win over St. Rita. He was Mr. Versatility in his ability to play both ways.
HONORABLE MENTION
BLOOM TOWNSHIP -- Brandon Rockett, Jalen Thomas.
CRETE-MONEE -- Jonathon Draper, Jaylen Dunlap, Kyle Lewis, Austin Rosenfeldt, John Schultz, Omari Stringer, Kyle Tilley.
HOMEWOOD-FLOSSMOOR -- Thad Little, Pat Sheehan, Taje Smith,
MARIAN CATHOLIC --Justin Harris, Jesse Kilbourn, Justin Scott, Patrick Swanson.
MOUNT CARMEL -- Jason Gasser, Brian Parker, D.J. Romero, Christian Searles, Enoch Smith.
ST. FRANCIS DE SALES -- Wesley Jones.
THORNTON -- D'Anthony Cross, Taje Frazier, Jerome Jenkins, Jamal Towns, Jauan Wesley,
T.F. NORTH -- Jeremy Baldwin, Davion Sylvester.
T.F. SOUTH -- James Bucksath, Byron Leach, Joe Young.
THORNWOOD -- Larry Moore.
WASHINGTON -- Aaron Cruz, Julian Deleon, Alfredo Ramirez.
! ~ Compiled by Mike Nieto
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