Fox Valley all-area football team

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Mike Aiello BartlettThe fourth in a line of talented football-playing brothers, this 6-foot-2, 265-pound left tackle finished the season with 11 pancake blocks and graded out higher than any offensive lineman for the Class 8A semifinalists. Aiello was a key cog in an offense that passed for 2,163 yards and rushed for 2,103. He was also the player who enjoyed playing the game while keeping the team relaxed. "He's a fun-loving kid, always has something funny to say," Bartlett coach Tom Meaney said. "He maintains his blocks better than anyone. No one ever gets by him. We ran to his side all year with a lot of isos or counters."

Vince Benedetto Crystal Lake SouthMidway through the season the Gators switched to a zone blocking scheme on offense, a switch made possible by this talented senior tight end. "We never could have done it if it weren't for Vince," Gators coach Jim Stuglis said. "He's just got very good feet, very good hands and he's very aggressive on the football field, which you'd never guess off the football field because he's a nice kid. He's a solid, strong kid and one that will definitely be able to play at the next level." Benedetto caught 15 balls for 314 yards and 3 touchdowns, including a fourth-quarter scoring reception that gave the Gators the lead briefly in the fourth quarter of their Class 7A semifinal loss to Geneva.

Cory Brown BartlettBartlett's quick-strike offense was explosive, in part, due to the great hands and sharp patterns run by this third-year starting wide receiver. Brown finished his senior season as the area's leading receiver in three categories: In 13 games he made 57 receptions for 973 yards and scored 10 touchdowns. Also the team's punt returner, he put the Hawks in good field position with churning legs that made him tough to bring down. "He never wants to stop," Bartlett coach Tom Meaney said of Brown's running style. "He's a very hard worker and was dedicated to making himself and his team better."

Eric Chandler Cary-GroveCary-Grove's triple option offense excelled behind the hard running of this two-year starter at fullback. Chandler finished his senior season as the area's second-leading ground gainer for a team program that won its fifth consecutive conference title and reached the Class 7A quarterfinals. In 12 contests the senior carried the ball 207 times for 1,204 yards and 17 touchdowns, leading the Trojans in each category for an offense that averaged 27.4 points per game. "He was our most consistent offensive player," Cary-Grove coach Bruce Kay said. "He runs with low pads and patience, which is not an easy thing to do in the option offense. I think he got better every week. He broke tackles, ran with excellent leg drive and was just a tough kid to bring down."

David Conrad HuntleyDespite missing two conference games with an injury, this two-year starter and two-way player was a leader at linebacker, running back and in the locker room. His toughness rubbed off on those around him and helped bring a winning mindset to the football program at Huntley. "Dave was a hard-nosed player," Red Raiders coach Steve Graves said. "My nickname for David was the Raging Bull. He ran with a lot of tenacity and a lot of aggressiveness. He didn't much care to sidestep. He'd just run you over." Opposing defenses keyed on featured Huntley running back Jordan Neukirch, which made Conrad a key secondary ball carrier. Offensively, he finished the season with 71 carries for 436 yards (6.1 avg.) and 7 touchdowns. On defense he contributed 7 solo tackles and 13 assists.

Jamal Cook ElginAn all-Upstate Eight Conference performer voted by league coaches as one of the top five offensive players in the league, Cook demonstrated game-changing ability on both offense and defense. As a wide receiver he hauled in 32 receptions for 700 yards and 9 touchdowns. Defensively, he had 30 solo tackles, 14 assists, 5 tackles for loss and 2 fumble recoveries, both of which he returned for touchdowns. Larkin coach Matt Gehrig called Cook "the best football player in the Upstate Eight." Cook made himself that way by dedicating himself in the weight room to prepare for the two-way grind. "He could make a move or run you over if he put the shoulder down," Elgin coach Dave Bierman said. "The biggest thing was his explosiveness. Once he got the ball in his hands it was anything goes. He could turn a hitch into a 40-yard pass play."

Mike Frericks Crystal Lake SouthCrystal Lake South switched to a 3-3-5 defensive this season, which required strong play up the middle of the field. This senior safety delivered by leading the team in solo tackles (34) and adding 70 assists. The two-year starter also led the Class 7A semifinalists in interceptions (5) and pass breakups (13). "He's a leader," Gators coach Jim Stuglis said. "He played the run phenomenally well and was always around the football, whether it was a run or a pass. He was always involved in the play."

Josh Hasenberg BartlettA two-year starter at quarterback, this senior was voted the second-most valuable offensive player in the Upstate Eight. Hasenberg set virtually every passing record in school history this season for the UEC champs, breaking most of his own records set as a junior. An accurate, mobile passer, he completed 146-of-252 attempts (57.9 percent) for new Bartlett highs of 2,121 yards and 21 touchdowns. He also rushed 97 times for 165 and 10 touchdowns, with most of those scores coming on quarterback sneaks. "He was the leader of our offense," Bartlett coach Tom Meaney said. "We go as Josh goes. He's thrown for almost 4,000 yards the last two years. Emotionally, he's tough, a real fighter. He never missed a practice and was really dedicated. He had an excellent season for us."

Derrick King StreamwoodStreamwood's best athlete was too valuable to leave at flanker, so he accepted a move to running back in Week 2 designed to get him more touches. An all-Upstate Eight conference performer who was voted one of the top five offensive players in the league by UEC coaches, was the player opposing defenses keyed on due to his explosive ability. Despite a lack of experience at running back, he finished the season with 512 yards rushing and 4 touchdowns on 125 carries (4.1 avg.). In 2 games at receiver he made 9 receptions for 136 yards (15.1 avg.) and 1 touchdown. "I've coached some very good receivers who have gone on to play at the Division-I level and Derrick is as talented as any of them," Streamwood coach Cal Cummins said.

Ryan Kuhn Crystal Lake SouthFootball games are won in the trenches, and Crystal Lake South won 10 games thanks to the efforts of this all-Fox Valley Conference two-way lineman. At left guard this senior blocked for an offense that averaged 312 yards per game. He was also a disruptive force at defensive end, where he more than doubled his next closest teammate with 5.5 sacks to lead the Class 7A semifinalists. He had 13 tackles, 62 assists, 2 forced fumbles and 19 tackles for loss that set opponents back a total of 70 yards. "He is without a doubt our best two-way player," Gators coach Jim Stuglis said. "He was voted MVP of the defense by the team. He worked hard in the weight room to become an impact player on both sides of the ball for us."

Colin Masterson Crystal Lake SouthNo player in the area presented the dual threat of running and receiving like this second-year varsity player. The junior running back helped the Gators advance to a state semifinal for the second time in school history by leading the Gators in rushing in 10 of their 13 games, including all three playoff contests. He finished the season with 186 carries for 1,160 yards (6.2 avg.) and 11 touchdowns. Masterson was also CL South's leading receiver with 17 receptions for 364 yards and 5 touchdowns. His 8 kickoff returns for 177 yards raised his season total to 1,701 all-purpose yards. "Colin has that breakaway speed to turn any play into something special," Gators coach Jim Stuglis said. "He's just a great player, and I think he's also turned into a bit of a power runner, too. When we needed it he could buckle down and get the hard yards."

Jimmy Mathisen St. EdwardThis senior delivered on both sides of the ball for a St. Edward team that fell one game shy of making the playoffs due to a brutal Suburban Catholic Conference schedule that included two eventual state champions and two quarterfinalists. Mathisen was the leading rusher for an offense that gained 88 percent of its yards on the ground. He carried the ball 146 times for 972 yards (6.7 avg.) and 11 touchdowns. Defensively, he moved from safety to outside linebacker during the season and finished with 57 total tackles and an interception. "Jimmy was an absolute warrior," St. Edward coach Mike Rolando said. "He just made plays. He's a great instinctive football player and a key player with a great attitude."

Joe Moore HampshireA third-year starter and an all-Big Northern Conference selection, this fullback helped Hampshire win the BNC-East Division title and earn a playoff berth by rushing 175 times for 780 yards and 14 touchdowns. The senior played through a leg injury during the first third of the season and eventually played both ways as a linebacker once he was up to full speed. But his main role was to pound the ball on offense and wear out opposing defenses, a role he filled effectively. "When we needed a yard Joe was the guy to get it," Hampshire coach Dan Cavanaugh said. "He'd run over people, run around people. He was definitely our go-to guy and a real hard working kid, too."

Matt Nelsen Cary-GroveThis senior cornerback and all-Fox Valley Conference selection finished as the area leader in interceptions with 6. "He defended the ball so well," Cary-Grove coach Bruce Kay said. "Matt could stay back, yet had the ability to break on a ball and knock down passes and make interceptions." The two-year starter also broke up 5 passes, made 20 solo tackles and 10 assists. Nelsen punted 32 times for an average of 32.4 yards and pinned opponents inside the 20-yard line on eight occasions.

Jordan Neukirch HuntleyThe honorary co-captain of the all-area team was the most dominant two-way player in the area this season. This Illinois State recruit lifted Huntley to a share of the Fox Valley Conference (Fox) title and a second-round playoff appearance by rushing for 1,725 yards (8.6 yards per carry) and 21 touchdowns. He was the Red Raiders' leading receiver with 20 receptions for 275 yards and 3 touchdowns. A third-year starter at middle linebacker and a two-time all-Fox Valley Conference selection, Neukirch also led the Huntley defense in tackles as a middle linebacker and played nearly every down of the season on offense and defense. "He filled both the role of his individual position and as team leader," Huntley coach Steve Graves said. "Unless you coach him you don't see how quickly he sees the big picture and how football savvy he is. He's very football smart."

Tyler O'Brien Cary-GroveAn all-Fox Valley Conference selection also named to the Class 7A all-state team, this defensive end was a driving force behind a unit that held teams to an average of 8.3 points per game. O'Brien had 2.5 sacks, made 32 solo tackles, 20 assists and 9 tackles behind the line of scrimmage totaling 38 yards in lost yardage. "Tyler was an outstanding defensive lineman who had the ability to get off blocks and was a tremendous pass rusher," Cary-Grove coach Bruce Kay said.

Marcus Popenfoose HuntleyOne of the strongest football players in the area, this two-time all-state shot putter was a stalwart on both sides of the ball for a 9-2 football team. As a tight end he was a critical blocker who helped pave the way for an offense that rushed for 3,600 yards. "You can't run our style of offense unless you have a blocking tight end, there's just no way around it," Huntley coach Steve Graves said. "When you try to run the football and you try to block a big defensive tackle, you're not going to get very far with it without a good tight end. Marcus played probably one of the most important positions for us on the offensive line." In his second season as a starter as a junior, Popenfoose also started at outside linebacker on defense and made 13 solo tackles and 23 assists.

Moises Quiroga St. EdwardThis four-year starter was the key player in the revival of St. Edward football over the past four seasons. After leading the team in tackles the last three years, the middle linebacker notched another 80 total tackles to finish second for a team that won 4 games for the first time since reaching the playoffs in 2003. A punishing rusher, he carried the ball 88 times for 608 yards (6.9 avg.) and 7 touchdowns. "Mo has been here for four years and he's been the heart and soul," St. Edward coach Mike Rolando said. "He helped this program evolve, keeping things respectable the last four years by making huge plays. Academically and football-wise he's maturing and developing into an awesome young man. We'll definitely miss him. He left this program better than he found it and his legacy will live on forever and ever at St. Ed's."

Patrick Rae South ElginSouth Elgin's senior quarterback held a clipboard as a junior, learning and biding his time behind a two-year starter. His efforts to learn the offense paid off when he took the reins of the offense in 2008. He completed 98-of-219 attempts for 1,653 yards, the third-highest total of any area passer. His 16 touchdown throws were second only to Bartlett's Josh Hasenberg. Rae was intercepted just 5 times in his 219 attempts. "I was really proud of Pat," South Elgin coach Dale Schabert said. "As a junior he didn't get a chance to play, and sometimes that's really hard on a player. But he worked hard on the JV team and scout team to get better. I was impressed with his work ethic in getting prepared and I was glad he had the success he had."

Tom Roth ElginAn all-Upstate Eight Conference selection, three-sport athlete and two-way player, Roth epitomized toughness as the quarterback of a spread offense in which he was more often than not the targeted by opposing defenses. Roth endured as many hits as any quarterback in the area, but he always got back up, dusted himself off and went back to work. The senior finished his third varsity season with 108 completions in 252 attempts for 1,764 yards and 15 touchdowns against 7 interceptions. He also carried the ball 76 times for 275 yards and 6 more touchdowns. As a safety on defense, Roth notched 32 solo tackles. 18 assists and made 5 interceptions. "Tom did a heck of a job on both sides of the ball," Elgin coach Dave Bierman said. "He did an excellent job of doing what we asked him to do on offense and his ability to run was obviously a plus. He is one tough kid."

Ian Salvatini Dundee-CrownA three-year varsity starter, the 5-foot-8, 160-pound Salvatini is proof that a high school football player doesn't have to be the biggest person on the field to have an impact. As Dundee-Crown's featured running back, the senior rushed for a team-best 703 yards and 3 touchdowns. He also made 15 catches out of the backfield for 267 yards and another score. "He's a real tough kid, very physical," Chargers coach Mike Davis said. "Because of injuries we had to play him on defense more than we would have liked to. We rode him at times at running back. Against Grayslake North we gave him the ball 15 times in a row at one stretch because he kept running hard." Defensively, Salvatini made 20 total tackles out of the secondary, broke up 5 passes and snared 1 interception.

Josh Smith South ElginThis senior wide receiver rehabbed furiously to make a successful return as a senior from a torn ACL suffered early in his junior campaign. Through the end of the regular season he topped the list of area receivers in both receptions (55) and yardage (884). This playmaker averaged 16.1 yards per catch and hauled in 7 touchdown receptions and has drawn interest from major college programs. In limited duty he also returned 1 punt for a touchdown. "He really worked hard to get back on the field and not just play but be very effectively," South Elgin coach Dale Schabert said. "Josh and the offense really broke out in the Elgin game." Smith made 8 catches for 146 yards and 2 touchdowns against rival Elgin.

Frank Wleklinski Burlington CentralFew players became students of the game like this two-year starter at middle linebacker. The senior studied film voraciously to get a feel for the upcoming opponent and that hard work paid off in tackles. In three separate games Wleklinski had a hand in 20 or more stops. "The preparation he put in really helped him throughout the season become the player that he was," Burlington Central coach Aaron Wichman said. "I think being a coach on the field was something he took pride in, and it gave him a lot of confidence. As soon as a play developed he knew exactly what it was and the reason they were running it. Wleklinski finished the season with 30 solo tackles, 109 assists, 10 more tackles for loss, 1 sack and 1 interception.

Kyle Zelinsky BartlettThe honorary co-captain of the Daily Herald all-area team, a Class 8A all-state selection also voted defensive MVP of the Upstate Eight Conference by league coaches, was the heart of a defense that helped Bartlett reach a state semifinal in Class 8A for the first time in school history. This three-year starter at middle linebacker was one of the hardest hitters in the area, punishment he inflicted during 78 solo tackles and 26 assists. The brighter the spotlight, the more Zelinsky excelled. "Kyle played well in the big game," Bartlett coach Tom Meaney said. "In that (Class 8A quarterfinal) game against Schaumburg he had 18 tackles and was all over the field. He's also an outstanding person from an outstanding family." A student with a 3.9 grade-point average, Zelinsky has been received multiple offers from Division I schools and will begin making official visits this month.

Honorable mention

Bartlett - Brendan Bauers (OL, Sr.), James Crain (LB, Sr.), Fabian Libreri (RB, Sr.), Matt Paladino (DL, Sr.), Greg Partyka (TE, Jr.), Steve Seeman (FS, Sr.), Alex VanNess (WR/S, Sr.)

Burlington Central - Kevin Kellish (WR/DB, Sr.), Tim Maroder (QB/RB/DB, So.)

Cary-Grove - Hayden Baker (OL, Jr.), Brandon Coleman (OL/DL, Sr.), Marcus Kerrigan (K, Sr.), Rob Mago (LB, Sr.), Chad McCarron (WR, Jr.), Jake Underwood (LB/KR, Sr.),

Crystal Lake South - J.D. Barchard (MLB, Jr.), Drew Ormseth (QB, So.), Derek Mortensen (FB, Sr.)

Dundee-Crown - Victor Domich (OL/DL, Sr.), Logan Kissack (QB, Sr.), Tommy Newman (LB/RB, Sr.), Brendan Schumacher (TE, Sr.)

Elgin - Tim Newcombe (WR/DB, Jr.), Joe Wade (TE/DB, Sr.)

Hampshire - Evan Brenner (QB, Sr.), Ron Bronke (OL/DL, Sr.), James Goebbert (WR/DB, Sr.), Bo Price (WR/DB, Sr.)

Huntley - Jason Adams (LG, Sr.), Brett Kleckner (RB, Jr.), Brandon McDaniel (C, Sr.)

Jacobs - Scott Baumbich (OL/DL, Sr.)

Larkin - Brandon Cooks (LB/RB, Sr.), Jeff Saurbaugh (RB/QB/DB, Sr.), Cody Schue (DL, Jr.)

St. Edward - Shane Finnane (OL/DL, Jr.), Nathan Gaige (LB, Jr.), Jim Waclawik (TE/DE, Sr.), Ryan Eigenhauser (TE/DE, Sr.), Josh Scholly (DB, Jr.)

South Elgin - Sean Kolber (LB, Jr.), Dan Perez (DB, Sr.), Nate Van Metre (OL/DL, Sr.),

Streamwood - Joey Hanover (DB, Jr.)