Football: Tri-Cities all-area team
By David Oberhelman
doberhelman@dailyherald.com
Brandon Babler, Aurora Central Catholic
The 6-foot, 165-pound senior slot back and cornerback didn't play football since freshman year, concentrating on basketball. His first game back: 102 yards rushing, 2 touchdowns, 7 tackles, 29-yard interception return for touchdown. Babler hit Wheaton Academy with 4 touchdowns: 28- and 46-yard catches, an 83-yard kickoff return and 91-yard punt return. The speedster totaled 34 receptions, 536 yards, 10 touchdowns; 427 yards rushing, 6 touchdowns; 474 kick return yards, 3 touchdowns; and 41 tackles, 3 interceptions. He scored 20 total touchdowns, earning ACC's MVP and Metro Suburban West all-conference. "He was a threat to hit a home run every time he touched the ball," said Chargers coach Brian Casey.
Jordan Bergren, St. Charles North
Shifting to defensive end from outside linebacker, the 6-4, 225-pound senior led a defense that through nine games allowed the fewest points in the Upstate Eight Conference River Division. Bergren shared River defensive player of the year with Batavia's Jake Hlava and won team honors for MVP and top defensive lineman. The Illinois High School Football Coaches Association Class 7A All-State honorable-mention pick's speed, power and length produced 90 tackles, 24 for loss, with a program-record 14 sacks. Bergren added 13 quarterback hurries, 3 blocked passes, 3 forced fumbles, 2 blocked kicks. "He made plays I hadn't seen in my 14 years of coaching," said North Stars coach Rob Pomazak.
Nick Bernabei, Batavia
The 6-1, 185-pound strong safety's 100 tackles led Batavia, 20 of those tackles coming in the Bulldogs' playoff loss to Class 7A semifinalist Mt. Carmel. Named to the Upstate Eight Conference River Division All-Conference Team this season, the two-year starter also shared Batavia's defensive MVP award. An Academic All-State pick who also bench-presses 300 pounds, the senior's interception and 38-yard return got the ball rolling in Batavia's 26-20 win over Geneva in "the biggest game of the season." A ferocious tackler who recorded a sack and knocked down 4 passes, Bernabei also was a modest leader. Batavia coach Dennis Piron said, "He epitomizes what you hope a student-athlete should be."
Austin Bray, Aurora Christian
An imposing 6-4, 230 pounds, Aurora Christian's senior quarterback was a two-time team captain, joining only Jordan Roberts as a repeat choice in the Beebe era. An Illinois High School Football Coaches Association Class 3A honorable-mention All-State pick and Aurora Christian's offensive MVP, Bray completed 146 of 259 passes for 2,237 yards, 28 touchdowns. He added 205 yards rushing with 3 touchdowns. All-conference in the Chicago Catholic League White, Bray passed for 340 yards and 2 touchdowns in the Eagles' playoff loss at Newman Central Catholic. "He's got the strongest arm we've ever had at this school, no doubt about that," said coach David Beebe. "He can make every throw."
Jack Breshears, Batavia
In two seasons as a starting offensive lineman the 6-5, 285-pound Breshears helped pave the way for 9,340 yards of offense. All-Conference in the Upstate Eight Conference River Division each of the last two seasons, Breshears has committed to play for Florida Atlantic. St. Charles North coach Rob Pomazak said Breshears was a "no-brainer" All-Area pick. At right tackle this season Breshears' size and strength worked for run blocking, but also his athleticism and timing off the line was pivotal to the screen-passing game in Batavia's spread offense. "He's a very skilled lineman who will only get better and a really, really nice young man," said Bulldogs coach Dennis Piron.
DaQuan Cross, West Aurora
Already a two-year starter, the humble, hardworking, 5-10, 184-pound sophomore running back and linebacker epitomized versatility. He recorded team highs of 677 yards rushing, 60 tackles, kicked off, subbed as place-kicker and returned kickoffs for 561 yards, 3 touchdowns, twice to start games. The Blackhawks' defensive and special teams MVP returned a Glenbard East kickoff 83 yards for one touchdown, an interception 56 yards for another. In the landmark 27-24 overtime win at Waubonsie Valley Cross ran for 114 yards, a touchdown, and made 11 tackles. Upstate Eight Conference Valley Division All-Conference, Illinois High School Football Coaches Association Class 8A All-State honorable mention. "DaQuan's our everything," said coach Nate Eimer.
Connor Fedderly, Kaneland
In Kaneland's first Class 6A season, this 5-8, 165-pound senior receiver was named Illinois High School Football Coaches Association 6A All-State First Team. Also Academic All-State with a 3.72 grade-point average, Fedderly worked to sharpen his routes and gain separation. He had great hands, dropping 3 passes all season. Fedderly finished with 61 receptions for 957 yards, 12 touchdowns. His 12 catches against DeKalb were one shy of the program record but his 294 yards set the record and rank 11th in state history. Named Kaneland's offensive MVP, Fedderly shared team MVP honors with Isaac Swithers. "I don't know anybody that's worked harder," said his father, Knights coach Tom Fedderly.
Karl Fowler, West Aurora
A two-year starter, the 6-foot, 230-pound senior was the top offensive lineman on a team that averaged 284 yards rushing. Combining a nasty streak with a 350-pound bench press, the left guard was credited with 62 pancake blocks. In Weeks 8-9 Fowler and the Blackhawks set a program record with 486 yards rushing and followed with 446, the second-highest total. West Aurora's offensive lineman of the year was All-Conference in the Upstate Eight Conference Valley Division. Coach Nate Eimer thought Fowler evolved into the best pulling lineman West's Wing-T offense has produced. "He could find people and then when he found people he put them on their back," he said.
Noah Frazier, Batavia
Batavia coach Dennis Piron called this 6-1, 225-pound senior "the linchpin," a three-year, two-way starter. At defensive end Frazier is a two-time Upstate Eight Conference River Division honoree. Two-time Academic All-State and voted Batavia's MVP this season, in 2013 Frazier set Batavia's season sacks record with 13, edged by Jake Hlava this year. This season Frazier made 43 tackles, 12 for loss with 6 sacks, 8 quarterback hurries and a fumble recovery he returned 50 yards to score against Larkin. Moved to fullback from tight end, he ran for 209 yards, 7 touchdowns. "The thing that stands out to me is he is such a strong character person," Piron said.
Jordan Glasgow, Marmion
When Marmion coach Dan Thorpe said during summer camp this 6-1, 200-pound senior suffered a knee injury requiring surgery, it sounded like the two-way back may be hampered a third straight season. Rehabbing diligently, by Week 3 his 175 yards of total offense helped beat St. Francis. Tough, explosive, Glasgow ran for 438 yards and 5 touchdowns with 12 receptions for 236 yards, 1 touchdown. He covered an opponent's top receiver and registered 50 tackles, defended 13 passes, recovered 3 fumbles. Marmion's MVP, all-Chicago Catholic League Green and Illinois High School Football Coaches Association Class 6A All-State honorable-mention. "The best hands that I've ever coached in 33 years," Thorpe said.
Danny Hammermeister, Kaneland
Perhaps only Geneva's Jake Rocks could vie with Kaneland's 6-2, 222-pound senior for the mythical title of best football name in the Tri-Cities this season. "The Hammer" was a two-way starter, playing offensive guard and inside linebacker for the Knights. Boasting a 3.68 grade-point average and quick feet, Hammermeister earned Illinois High School Football Coaches Association Class 6A Academic All-State and Northern Illinois Big XII All-Conference nods. Against running teams Kaneland's defensive MVP moved to the line as a defensive end, a tactic which bolstered his 70 tackles, 8 for loss. "Danny's a bigger kid," said Knights coach Tom Fedderly, "so he was really good in stopping the run, obviously."
Jake Hlava, Batavia
Batavia coach Dennis Piron compared the two-year starting outside linebacker with an attacking panther: "There he is, right now." The 6-2, 215-pound senior had uncanny blitz timing. Through four games Hlava recorded 9.5 sacks - 4 against Larkin - and set a program-record with 13.5 sacks. Illinois High School Football Coaches Association Class 7A All-State and Upstate Eight Conference River Division co-defensive player of the year, Hlava made 59 tackles with an additional 7 for loss, intercepted a pass and defended 5, caused 3 fumbles with 20 quarterback hurries. Hlava added 3 touchdown runs. A momentum changer, Piron said, "He hits people, different things go flying in different directions - pads, helmets, footballs."
Luke Juriga, Marmion
It's no surprise the 6-4, 270-pound senior lineman committed to Western Michigan and Air Force courted him. His father played in the NFL, his brother at Navy. What surprised was this "non-skilled" player sharing Chicago Catholic League Green offensive player of the year honors. Coaches saw the two-year right guard's physicality, his desire to be first downfield after a long snap. Also starting at defensive tackle, Juriga earned Illinois High School Football Coaches Association Class 6A All-State. Marmion coach Dan Thorpe recalled an unnecessary roughness penalty Juriga drew by driving a defender 15 yards backward before throwing him down. "It was the most appreciative flag I've ever received," Thorpe said.
Stephen Kemp, Geneva
Kemp's teammates voted the 6-foot, 225-pound junior Geneva defensive lineman of the year. He's already a two-time all-conference pick in the Upstate Eight Conference River Division. There's not much question about it this season since as a nose tackle, Kemp's team-high 104 tackles were extraordinary. He made 5 sacks, 4.5 tackles for loss and battered Streamwood with 13 tackles with several other games of 10 or more. Kemp's strengths include hustle, explosiveness off the line and quick feet, and even spinning off a block his instincts carry him back to the point of attack. His Vikings teammates voted Kemp as a 2015 team captain. "He's a special player," coach Rob Wicinski said.
Josh Leonhard, Batavia
Bothered all season by rough meniscus in his knee, the 6-2, 220-pound senior defensive end earned Batavia's Bulldog Award winner for toughness, commitment and "coachability." Twice all-conference in the Upstate Eight Conference River Division, Leonhard made 12 sacks last season and 6.5 more this year, to go along with 16 quarterback hurries, 57 tackles, 7 for loss, 4 passes defended and 2 caused fumbles. Exceptional against both run and pass, Leonard leapt to pick off a pass against Geneva and returned it 45 yards for a touchdown. Bulldogs coach Dennis Piron called him a throwback: "When you look back at old NFL films, you envision a guy like Josh Leonhard."
Ramon Lopez, St. Charles East
The 5-9, 210-pound two-year starting running back displayed his toughness playing the last two games of the season with a broken hand. Athletic with vision running inside or out, on the season he carried the ball 174 times for 957 yards and 12 touchdowns to gain all-conference honors in the Upstate Eight Conference River Division. Voted St. Charles East's most valuable player, the senior ran for 155 yards against Jacobs and had a whopping 45 carries for 320 yards against Streamwood. "He's the heart and soul of our football team and every time he steps on the football field he gives it everything he has," said Saints coach Bryce Farquhar.
Jacolby Maxwell, Aurora Christian
Aurora Christian coaches voted the 5-9, 155-pound senior team MVP, a first for an Eagles receiver. Maxwell scored at least 2 touchdowns in six of 10 games. When he saw full-time duty for the first time as a defensive back in Week 9 against Leo, Maxwell intercepted 3 passes to go with 3 touchdown catches. He caught 7 passes for 213 yards against St. Laurence. All-conference in the Chicago Catholic League White, despite being double-teamed Maxwell's great hands and crisp routes produced 64 catches for 1,175 yards, 15 touchdowns. "Every week he was doing something like, 'Oh my goodness, did he really just do that?'" said Eagles coach David Beebe.
Matt Rahn, Aurora Central Catholic
Returning from a knee injury that ruined his entire junior season, the 6-foot, 165-pound senior was ACC's best passing quarterback in years. Rahn completed 122 of 199 passes (61 percent) for 1,613 yards and 19 touchdowns. In the Chargers' playoff loss to Johnsburg he completed a program-record 35 passes, on 45 attempts for 386 yards, 3 touchdowns, and added 3 touchdown runs. He finished with 512 yards rushing, 7 touchdowns. A coach on the field, Rahn was voted ACC's offensive player of the year, all-Metro Suburban West and Class 4A All-State honorable mention. At cornerback, he made 34 tackles. "He's an extremely gifted, dynamic player," said Chargers coach Brian Casey.
Daniel Santacaterina, Geneva
Geneva's three-year starting quarterback committed to Northern Illinois University. The Huskies will get a lively armed passer and two-time Upstate Eight Conference River Division all-conference selection. This season the 6-2, 190-pound senior shared the River offensive player of the year award with teammate Pace Temple. "Santa" completed 162 of 277 passes (59 percent) for 2,443 yards, 23 touchdowns. Athletic, he ran for 201 yards and 2 touchdowns. Santacaterina threw for 306 yards and 2 touchdowns against Richards, 293 yards and 3 touchdowns against St. Charles East. A tough competitor, high football IQ. "Obviously we're going to miss him," Vikings coach Rob Wicinski said. "He gave the offense so many options."
Carson Schmitt, St. Charles North
It's easy to picture what North Stars coach Rob Pomazak means when calling the physical Schmitt a "plug-backer." The 6-4, 214-pound senior, twice named an Upstate Eight Conference River Division All-Conference middle linebacker, blasted forward, crammed between center and guard and challenged all comers. Tough as gristle and a blitzing nightmare, Schmitt tore a knee meniscus in the season opener and played 11 games on it. Voted St. Charles North's most valuable defender, he made 73 tackles with 4 for loss and 3 sacks, making 14 tackles against Cary-Grove, 12 against Plainfield Central. "If I had to go to war with anybody," Pomazak said, "I'd want him by my side."
Wyatt Shodeen, Geneva
The Geneva co-captain earned his fellow Vikings' vote as "best teammate." Coach Rob Wicinski called the 5-9, 215-pound senior linebacker "the rock in the middle" of the defense, making the calls and serving as a leader not only on the field, but off it. A physical, "downhill" type who anticipated plays and brought the athleticism to roam sideline to sideline, Shodeen made 76 tackles - 10 plus a fumble recovery against St. Charles North, a season-high 12 against Batavia. Shodeen was an Upstate Eight Conference River Division All-Conference pick. "He really did a great job solidifying our defense," Wicinski said. "The guys started listening to him completely. He was the voice."
Pace Temple, Geneva
The 6-foot-2, 190-pound senior receiver is honorary captain of the 2014 Daily Herald Tri-Cities All-Area Football Team. A two-time Geneva offensive player of the year, he joins Michael Ratay with that honor. A two-time Upstate Eight Conference River Division all-conference pick and Illinois High School Football Coaches Association Class 7A honorable-mention All-State this season, Temple shared River offensive player of the year with teammate Daniel Santacaterina. Bearing offers from Wyoming and North Carolina State, Temple caught 56 passes for 918 yards, 12 touchdowns. Used in crunchtime defensively he intercepted 4 passes with a 32-yard return for touchdown against St. Charles North. "He's the heart," said Vikings coach Rob Wicinski.
Brock Whalen, Aurora Christian
The 6-4, 270-pound senior transferred to Aurora Christian from Minooka and at left tackle his 24.5 pancake blocks set the Eagles' record. At Aurora Christian's team banquet that Whalen earned not only the best lineman but also a trophy with "a big pancake on top," coach David Beebe said. At defensive end Whalen added 37 tackles, 4.5 for loss with an interception. An Illinois High School Football Coaches Association Class 3A All-State pick and all-conference in the Chicago Catholic League White, Whalen combined great technique with strength, athleticism and length, equally adept in pass and run situations. "He just finished people," Beebe said. "You wanted somebody moved, he moved them."
Dalton Young, St. Charles North
Teams hoping to avoid Jordan Bergren by running away from him were discouraged upon reaching St. Charles North's other defensive end. The 6-foot, 185-pound senior couldn't rely on brute strength to be effective so he mastered technique, using his hands and quickness to finish second on the North Stars in tackles. Young "came out of nowhere," coach Rob Pomazak said, to make 80 tackles, 4 four loss, 5 sacks, with a huge sack and fumble recovery against Rolling Meadows. From role player to 11-game starter, Young earned his teammates' votes to receive the Iron Star Award recognizing leadership, selflessness, accountability, preparation and investment. "It's our most prestigious award," Pomazak said.
Special mention Sean Chambers (Geneva, DB, jr.); Canaan Coffey (Batavia, WR, jr.); Nick Edlund (Aurora Christian, RB, sr.), Patrick Gamble (Batavia, OL, sr.); Andrew Kray (Kaneland, OL-DL, jr.); Nick Lombardo (St. Charles East, sr., DL), Mikey Malawski (Aurora Central Catholic, OL, sr.); Brendan McCarthy (St. Charles North, LB, sr.); Justin Taormina (Geneva, RB, jr.); Lucas Warren (Marmion, RB-LB, sr.).
Honorable mentionJovonte Bolden (West Aurora, DL, sr.); Brennan Bosch (St. Charles East, OL, sr.); Brett Bowman (Batavia, DB, jr.); Nick Candre (St. Charles East, WR-K-P, jr.); Tim Clohecy (Marmion, OL-DL, sr.); Nathan Didier (St. Charles North, QB, sr.); Zach Garrett (Batavia, RB, jr.); Wade Gunderson (Marmion, LB, sr.); Sam Keilty (Aurora Central Catholic, LB, sr.); Mitch Krusz (Batavia, OL, sr.); Jeff Kus (Aurora Central Catholic, OL-DL, sr.); Mike Landi (Geneva, WR, sr.); Matt Loberg (Geneva, DL, sr.); Jake Marczuk (Kaneland, QB, jr.); Brock Perry (Geneva, DB, sr.); Drake Spears (West Aurora, RB-LB, so.); Isaac Swithers (Kaneland, RB-LB, sr.); Colin Thurston (Batavia, LB, jr.); Ryan Turner (St. Charles North, OL, sr.); Loudon Vollbrecht (Geneva, OL, jr.).