Football: Lake County all-area team

Jake Balliu LakesWhatever Lakes needed, chances are Balliu was helping in some way. Balliu got reps at wide receiver, running back, cornerback, returner and even quarterback this season. "I have never seen one player impact all phases of a game like Jake has the past two years," Lakes coach Luke Mertens said. "He is the whole package. A strong argument can be made that he is the best overall athlete Lakes has ever had in our short history." Balliu was named all-state after finishing the season with 1,758 all-purpose yards and 23 touchdowns. He had 62 receptions for 952 yards, 418 rushing yards on 52 attempts and averaged 21.3 yards per punt return. He also had 13 tackles and 1 interception that he returned 99 yards for a touchdown against rival Antioch.

Titus Booker Grayslake NorthBooker filled the stat book at Grayslake North this season, making an impact not only at running back, his main position, but on defense and on kick returns. Booker even threw for a 74-yard touchdown pass against Cary-Grove. At running back, Booker rolled up 26 touchdowns and 1,931 yards on 184 carries, for 10.5 yards per carry. Over 10 games, Booker averaged 193 yards per game. Booker, a star in track in the 100 and 200 dashes, was heavily recruited for his athleticism and speed. He initially committed to Indiana but has recently switched gears and is now a Wisconsin commit.

Willie Bourbon StevensonAlthough Bourbon's future is in baseball, which is what he'll play next year at Northwestern, it will be tough to forget what he's done at Stevenson over the past three years. He earned the starting quarterback spot as a sophomore and went 32-6 over his career, winning three conference championships and, of course, the Class 8A state title this season. "Great leadership for our team," Stevenson coach Bill McNamara said of Bourbon. "He is the complete package as a quarterback. He is a multi-threat player who can beat you with his arm and legs. However, it is his mind and decision-making that makes him a consistent winner. He will leave Stevenson with the most wins as a starting quarterback." Bourbon also leaves with impressive personal stats. Just this season, he rolled up 2,544 passing yards and 16 touchdowns passes. He completed 63 percent of his passes. He also finished with 369 rushing yards and 9 touchdowns.

Darrius Crump WarrenJust 5-foot-8 and flat-out quick, Crump was often tough for defenders to see, and even tougher to catch. Crump, who transferred in from Carmel, rolled up 1,670 rushing yards and scored 13 touchdowns. "Darrius was new and surprised everyone in the North Suburban with his abilities," Warren coach Bryan McNulty said. "He is an extremely strong back for his size and has the ability to take it to the house any time he touches the bal. Darrius is also one of the hardest workers on our team in the weight room and on the practice field. Being only a junior, I believe Darrius will be one of the premier running backs in the state next season."

Steven Didier Vernon HillsDidier, a 3-year starter for Vernon Hills on the defensive line, never let up, even in practice. "Many times during practice, we had to take Steven out, just so our offense could run a play," Vernon Hills coach Bill Bellecomo said. "Steven leads by example. He only knows one speed, that's full speed. He was all over the field. The bigger the game, the bigger he played." Didier finished with 85 tackles, including 9 for loss. He also had 9 sacks and 5 hurries.

Nick Dillon StevensonAlthough they usually don't start in Dillon's direction, opposing offensive players usually meet up with him sooner or later. Stevenson's imposing defensive lineman is good at tracking down the ball. "Nick is the enforcer of our defense," Stevenson coach Bill McNamara said. "He is an incredible athlete at 6-foot-2, 280 pounds. Teams prefer to run away from Nick, and he still finds the ball and makes great plays. He shows up in the biggest games that are tough and physical." Dillon, a four-year starter for the Patriots, rolled up 94 tackles and 9 sacks this season. He was 41-9 as a starter and helped Stevenson to four straight conference titles as well as the Class 8A state championship this season.

Cameron Green StevensonDespite facing frequent double and triple teams, the Northwestern-bound Green was one of the most productive receivers in the area. He caught 59 passes for 861 yards and 10 touchdowns. He averaged 14.6 yards per catch. Green also punted for Stevenson and played some safety. "Cameron is simply the complete package as a football player," Stevenson coach Bill McNamara said. "He is smart, athletic and physical on the field. We move Cam around to make it difficult to guard him and to create favorable matchups for us. However, sometimes we simply say, 'throw the ball up and Cam will go get it.'" Green is a three-year starter for Stevenson, which went 32-6 and won a state championship and three conference titles over that time.

Jon Haeffele AntiochHaeffele has logged a lot of minutes at Antioch over the last three years. He started on both the offensive line and the defensive line since his sophomore year. And he was the Sequoits' long snapper. "Jon never left the field," Antioch coach Brian Glashagel said. "On defense, Jon was at nose guard and literally shut down opponents' inside run game. Opposing teams had to factor Jon into their game plan. On offense, Jon was the leader of the line at the center position. In the shadow of headline leaders (running backs) Griffin Hill and Alan Taylor, Jon was the most complimented player by opposing coaches. He is quite simply the best offensive lineman we've ever had." The 6-foot-4, 275-pound Haeffele was named all-state and all-North Suburban Conference and has been nominated for the Illinois Shrine all-star game. He also won Antioch's offensive and defensive lineman of the year awards.

Griffin Hill AntiochThere's no sweeter comparison for a running back. "Griffin Hill reminds me of a young Walter Payton," Antioch coach Brian Glashagel said. "Like Sweetness, Griff runs with speed and power, but also can catch and is a devastating blocker." The 5-foot-11, 190-pound Hill is a just a junior but has started the last two years. He rolled up 942 yards on 113 rushes this season and also caught 9 passes for 83 yards. He finished with 23 touchdowns and scored 4 touchdowns in a game twice. He also played in Antioch's secondary. "All of this with a smile on his face, while maintaining a 4.0 grade point average," Glashagel said. "His upbeat personality is contagious and he makes everyone around him better."

Joe Hoy CarmelHoy, a safety and halfback, was on the field more than any other Carmel player. "He was the only player who played both ways for Carmel in every game," Carmel coach Andy Bitto said. "He was our defensive leader all year long and his teammates elected him the team most valuable player." Hoy, a two-year starter, rolled up 111 tackles for the Corsairs. He also intercepted 3 passes. Offensively, Hoy rushed for 210 yards and scored 3 touchdowns.

Mike Huiras CarmelJust 5-foot-7, Huiras came up big for Carmel again and again. He quarterbacked the Corsairs' tricky triple option offense with precision. "He is a born competitor and ran our option attack as good as we have had," Carmel coach Andy Bitto said. "Michael was tough and unselfish. He truly is a leader amongst his peers." Huiras finished with 1,373 all-purpose yards. He ran for 682 yards and 10 touchdowns on 112 attempts. He also passed for 691 yards and 9 touchdowns. He completed 32 of 82 passes.

Rondel Jamison CarmelJamison didn't let a few pesky hits bother him. "Out of his 1,462 rushing yards, over half came after first contact," Carmel coach Andy Bitto said of Jamison, just a sophomore. "He has great balance and knack for getting first downs and into the end zone. Rondel is also an excellent receiver and blocker. He is a complete back." Jamison averaged 6.9 yards per carry and rushed for 18 touchdowns. He also averaged 46.3 yards on his 3 receptions. He caught 2 touchdowns passes.

Jack Joseph StevensonThanks to a change in diet and a more rigorous off-season workout regimen, Joseph made a big change in his game since last season. "Last year, Jack was mostly three yards and a cloud of dust," Stevenson coach Bill McNamara said. "This year, he has the ability to take it to the house every time he touches the ball. He is a product of his hard work in the off-season. He has great vision and makes great cuts in the open field. He was the glue to our running game and created balance for our offense." Joseph rolled up 1,235 yards on 186 carries for 6.6 yards per carry. He also rushed for 20 touchdowns. Joseph punted for the Patriots as well.

Ben Kimpler LibertyvilleAt 6-foot-6, Kimpler was a tower of trouble on the defensive line. His long reach often made even the most elusive offensive players well within his reach. He rolled up 63 tackles and an impressive 9.5 sacks. "Ben uses his athleticism to disrupt the opponent's offense," Libertyville coach Mike Jones said. "Hi is a tough competitor and strives to make those around him better. Ben was a consistent player throughout the season and could always be counted on when times were tough. Ben is a three-sport athlete who will make his mark not only on the football team, but also on the basketball and baseball teams."

Ben Klett Lake ZurichJust a junior, Klett is already nearing the top of what is likely a long and impressive list. "In the 30-plus years I have been coaching high school football, Ben could be the best running back I have coached," Lake Zurich coach David Proffitt said. "He is explosive, fast, a good blocker and an excellent runner." Klett, on varsity since his freshman year and a starter the past two seasons, rolled up 807 rushing yards and 9 touchdowns this season. He also caught 10 passes for 225 yards and 4 touchdowns. Over the last two seasons, he's amassed nearly 1,500 rushing yards. Klett's speed is also on display during track season. As a sophomore, he went downstate in the 100.

Riley Lees LibertyvilleThe numbers are mind-blowing. Lees put up stats in one season that many players will never accumulate over an entire career. The Libertyville quarterback got it done both with his arm and his legs, passing for 1,482 yards and 10 touchdowns and running for 1,799 yards and 35 touchdowns. Add it all up and that's 3,281 yards and 45 touchdowns, just for Lees alone. His rushing yards, all-purpose yards and touchdowns are all school records. "Riley was a difference-maker for our team and difficult for our opponents to prepare for," Libertyville coach Mike Jones said. "He is a fierce competitor who believes that every time he touches the ball it can be a touchdown."

Kevin Malisheski WaucondaMalisheski was a shot in the arm to the Wauconda offense this season. The Bulldogs averaged 30.4 points per game, up 18 points per game from last season. "Kevin's improvement and hard work in the off-season was one of the big reasons for our increase in offensive output," Wauconda coach Dave Mills said. "He led the offense with an average of 221 total yards per game. His QB rating was a 92 for the year." Malisheski, a junior who has started 18 games in a row, is 500 yards away from becoming the all-time leading passer at Wauconda. This season, he completed 117 of 217 passes for 1,668 yards and 18 touchdowns. He also rushed for 323 yards and 9 touchdowns. His best game this season was completing 8 passes against Round Lake, 4 of which went for touchdowns. "That is being efficient," Mills said.

Jimmy Marchese StevensonGet out the scale. "Pound for pound, Jimmy could be the best athlete on our team," Stevenson coach Bill McNamara said of his three-year starter at outside linebacker. "He is strong, quick, fast and has great athleticism. Jimmy has the tough job of filling against huge linemen against the power run and then covering the speedy slot receivers in the pass. He is a hybrid player and a big reason for our success." Marchese rolled up 95 tackles, had 1.5 sacks and also made 4 interceptions, including one for a touchdown.

Jordan McInerney LibertyvilleMcInerney certainly had a presence for the Wildcats, both in stature and voice. The 6-foot-5 defensive end wasn't afraid to speak up around his teammates, both on and off the field. "Jordan is a vocal leader and always tries to bring out the best in his teammates," Libertyville coach Mike Jones said. "Jordan always plays with a passion whether it's a game or practice. He has a motor that coaches love." McInerney rolled up 48 tackles and 10.5 sacks. He got half of those sacks (5) in Libertyville's playoff win over Addison Trail. McInerney also blocked a punt this season.

Connor McNamara Vernon HillsLike father, like son. McNamara has developed into an accomplished quarterback. His dad, Stevenson coach Bill McNamara, was a top-level quarterback in high school and college as well. "In a short amount of time, Connor has transformed himself into one of the best quarterbacks in the area," Vernon Hills coach Bill Bellecomo said. "He gets better every year, and that has a lot to do with his strong desire to compete." McNamara, a junior, accounted for 75 percent of the Cougars' points this year. He also rolled up an eye-popping 2,199 passing yards and 22 passing touchdowns. He rushed for 326 yards and 9 touchdowns.

Jordan Mercure LakesPrior to the season, the quarterback spot at Lakes was somewhat up for grabs. It took one game for Mercure to make the position his. In a win over Grayslake North in the season opener, Mercure completed 16-of-20 passes for 195 yards and 3 touchdowns. He also ran for 51 yards and a touchdown. "It is never easy for a junior to earn the trust and respect of his senior teammates, but Jordan welcomed that challenge and in turn worked his way into one of the top quarterbacks in the area. His football IQ is off the charts, his dedication to the team is unquestionable and his ability to attack defenses both through the air and on the ground makes him a dangerous weapon for us." On the season, Mercure passed for 1,600 yards and 24 touchdowns with a 67 percent completion rate. He also ran for 659 yards and 6 touchdowns.

Ryan Mullen LakesQuarterbacks at Lakes have been well-protected under Mullen's watch. Over three years of starting on the offensive line, Mullen has never surrendered a sack. This season, Mullen also played on Lakes' goal-line defense and proved as effective there as well. The 6-foot-3, 265-pound Mullen, who boasts a 4.6 grade point average and is ranked No. 3 in his class, committed to Miami of Ohio over the summer. "The world needs more people like Ryan Mullen," Lakes coach Luke Mertens said. "With Ryan, there is no such thing as too much. His time management skills are so impressive. In addition to being a year-round, multi-sport athlete, Ryan is enrolled in the toughest classes Lakes has to offer. Getting home after 8 p.m. with three hours of homework is routine for Ryan and he revels in the challenge of that daily grind."

Sean O'Malley LibertyvilleOver the last two years, there has been a lot of movement on the offensive line at Libertyville. O'Malley, a two-year starter, has been one of the few constants. "Sean has been the steadying influence for our offensive line," Libertyville coach Mike Jones said. "His experience has helped our offensive line grow as the season progressed and he was willing to do what was needed to make our team better. Sean plays the game with great passion, which is evident in games and practices." O'Malley paved the way for a potent Libertyville offense that rushed for 2,932 yards and passed for about 1,500 yards.

Caleb Reams WarrenIf one door closed, the 6-foot-3, 240-pound Reams almost always found another to bulldoze his way through. "He truly had the ability to run by you, or jump over you," Warren coach Bryan McNulty said of his top wide receiver. "Caleb was a huge weapon for our offense all season long. In my years of coaching football, I have not seen such a smooth athlete at Caleb's size. With Cal's presence, teams had to defend us differently. He was a mismatch for most defensive backs in our conference." Reams, who will play football at Illinois next year, rolled up 35 catches for 601 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Dan Recker LakesThe Reckers certainly know how to wreck an offense. Dan Recker became Lakes' all-time leading tackler (220 career tackles) this season, surpassing his older brother Drew. This season, Dan Recker, a three-year starter, had 98 tackles, including 9 for loss and 4 quarterback sacks. He also had an interception. "It is always tough to follow in a successful older brother's footsteps, however, Dan has forged his own path and will go down as one of the greatest defensive players in program history," Lakes coach Luke Mertens said. "He was the heart and soul of our defense the past few years. Dan is first class in everything he does. He's a tireless worker, a top-notch student (4.5 grade point average) and one of the greatest teammates I have ever seen. Dan always puts others before himself."

Nick Turner WarrenTurner was a head-turner, showing out in the biggest games. One of his best showings came in a week 8 win over Lake Zurich in which he recovered a fumble with about a minute left to help set up Warren's game-winning touchdown. He had 12 tackles in that game, including 2 for a loss. "In our biggest games of the season, Nick showed up the most," Warren coach Bryan McNulty said. "He was the centerpiece of our defense, in many ways the heart and soul of our defense. As our Mike linebacker, he made all of our defensive calls as well as our on-field adjustments. He was a team leader and one of the best individual defensive players in the strong North Suburban Conference." On the season, Turner racked up 101 tackles and 2 sacks. He also forced 2 fumbles.

Jason Vravick StevensonThe Stevenson defense came up big all season, including in the final moments of the Class 8A state championship game, which was iced with a fumble recovery by the Patriots. A three-year starter at inside linebacker, Vravick was the leader of the defense and made many of the defensive calls. "He makes our defense go," Stevenson coach Bill McNamara said of Vravick. "He has an incredible football IQ and is a coach on the field. His size, speed and nose for the ball makes it nearly impossible to run the ball between the tackles against our defense. He needs to be accounted for on every play, and most of the time that is not enough. Teams cannot consistently run the ball against us because of Jason." Vravick rolled up 151 tackles and 4 sacks. He will be attending Columbia University next year.

Zach Wallace Lake ZurichThe 6-foot-7, 255 pound Wallace makes a big statement on the football field and in the classroom. "During the last two years, Zach has developed into one of the best offensive lineman that I have seen," Lake Zurich coach David Proffitt said. "I have also witnessed his development into an exceptionally well-rounded young man. Wallace carries a 3.9 grade point average and scored a 30 on the ACT. He has already accepted a scholarship to the University of Wyoming. "At this stage in his development, Zach reminds people at Lake Zurich of Anthony Castonzo, who played here and now starts (on the offensive line) for the Indianapolis Colts," Proffitt said.