Deichl, Gardner complete campus plans

Two more Daily Herald All-Area football players have made college commitments.

Libertyville senior quarterback Jack Deichl has signed a letter of intent with Wisconsin-Whitewater, while Grayslake North senior offensive lineman Geoff Gardner has inked with West Virginia State.

The 6-foot-5, 220-pound Deichl, a two-year varsity starter, led the Wildcats to 8 wins and a second-round state playoff berth last fall. He threw for 2,048 yards and 16 touchdowns (6 interceptions) while completing 61.6 percent of his passes. He’ll play for a Whitewater team that reached the Division III national championship game five straight years from 2007-2011, winning the title four times. The Warhawks went 7-3 last season but missed the playoffs for the first time in head coach Lance Leipold’s six seasons as head coach.

Whitewater has another former 6-5 Lake County quarterback on its roster in freshman Ray Beckman (Grayslake Central).

Gardner, a 6-2 275-pounder who’s known for his hard work and strength, helped Grayslake North put together its best season in school history last fall, as the Knights won eight games and earned their first state playoff berth.

Gardner was a three-year varsity starter who played on both sides of the ball as a senior. With Gardner paving the way, Grayslake North amassed more than 5,500 yards of offense in 2012.

West Virginia State competes at the Division II level. The Yellow Jackets have a new head coach in Jon Anderson after they went 2-9, including 1-7 in the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, last season.