Tri-Cities all-area football team

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Wes Allen St. Charles EastAllen, the Upstate Eight Conference's Offensive MVP and a Class 7A All-State selection, makes our team for the second consecutive year. "He was much more physical this season and his weight training made a big difference," Saints coach Ted Monken said. "When he broke through the line of scrimmage he dished out as much punishment as he received and that helped with his longevity." Allen finished the season with 1,976 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns. Last year he had 1,321 yards and 17 scores.

Bryce Biel GenevaThe 6-foot-1, 240-pound senior right guard was the leader of a Geneva offensive line that assisted its squad in rushing for more than 270 yards per game and scoring 68 offensive touchdowns. Called the "ultimate teammate" by Geneva coach Rob Wicinski, Biel began his Geneva career as a quarterback. "He switched positions and went to the line because we needed the help," Wicinski said. "Probably some of the best feet I've seen on the O-line." Biel tore ligaments in his elbow in the Class 7A quarterfinals, but played with a cast in the semifinals and championship. "He was the ultimate warrior for us," Wicinski said.

Joe Camiliere KanelandThe quarterback in Kaneland's spread offense is likely going to put up big numbers. Camiliere (20 passing touchdowns and 2,551 yards with a 58 percent completion percentage) not only did that, but more importantly he took control of the offense and showed incredible leadership as a sophomore. "Going in we didn't know what we'd have," Kaneland coach Tom Fedderly said. "He exceeded our expectations and is only going to get better and better." Fedderly said Camiliere reminds him a lot of Boone Thorgesen, captain of the Daily Herald's 2006 All-Area team, which is quite a compliment. Camiliere also led the Knights in rushing with 465 yards and 5 touchdowns.

Markus Cocroft West AuroraA two-time captain for West Aurora, Cocroft has been a three-year starter at wide receiver and defensive back. The senior earned all-DuPage Valley Conference honors, a year after he set a DVC mark by intercepting three passes in a game. Cocroft might be the most versatile player on the All-Area team who literally could score from anywhere on the field. Cocroft scored touchdowns this year on special teams, defense and offense. He returned one punt for a score, three kickoffs for touchdowns, took an interception back for another score and caught 5 touchdown passes.

Jordan Coffey BataviaAt 6-foot-5, 215 pounds, Coffey used his great size and rocket arm to earn his way onto the Class 6A All-State team. "I've coached some pretty special quarterbacks and he's one of the better ones," Batavia coach Mike Gaspari said. "Jordan showed a great demeanor and allowed us to have quick-strike ability with our offense." Coffey threw for 2,457 yards and 24 touchdowns. He ended his career with a brilliant 25-of-37 passing performance with 4 touchdowns and a Class 6A playoff-record 436 yards in a first-round loss to Huntley.

Pat Friel St. Charles EastFriel led the Saints with 97 tackles (6 for losses) and 3.5 sacks. He also recovered 2 fumbles and returned an interception 96 yards. "He's got one of the things you can't coach and that's a nose for the football," Saints coach Ted Monken said. "He avoids blockers and is always around the football." Friel, who earned honorable mention on the Class 7A all-state team and was runner-up Defensive MVP of the Upstate Eight Conference, reminds Monken of four-time NFL pro bowler Chris Spielman. "There are a lot of guys that are bigger and stronger but they can't find the football like (Friel) does," he said. "He's a lot like Spielman in that way."

Lewis Gaddis Aurora ChristianThe senior was one of the best two-way players in the area this year, leading Aurora Christian in tackles at middle linebacker and leading the team in rushing at running back. Finished with 1,236 rushing yards. "Lewis was our go-to man when the game was on the line," Eagles coach Don Beebe said. "We called it 'Gaddis Time.' This usually meant we had to give him the ball and put the game away. Not many running backs run as hard as Lewis did."

Sean Grady GenevaCalled a "gym rat" by Geneva coach Rob Wicinski, Grady was the leader of the Geneva secondary with 95 tackles and 3 interceptions, returning two for touchdowns in a win over St. Charles East. More than a safety, Grady also kicked 61 PATs and 2 field goals. There wasn't a game that better exemplified what the senior contributed to the success of the Vikings then in the Class 7A semifinals against Crystal Lake when he had 14 tackles, an interception, a fumble recovery, 2-point conversion pass and a field goal. "He's got a high athletic IQ," Wicinski said. "He finds ways to make plays. He's got instincts and makes our calls defensively."

Cory Hofstetter GenevaThe Western Sun Conference Defensive Player of the Year and a Class 7A All-State selection, the 6-foot-4, 245-pound defensive end used his tremendous strength and leverage to disrupt opponent's offensive plans all season long. "He grew both physically, and especially mentally, this season," Geneva coach Rob Wicinski said. "He understood that by him playing his position we'd be much stronger and he was able to take the team to another level. In that mind frame he was able to take over games from the outside edge because of his discipline." Hofstetter led the Vikings with 8 sacks.

Jake Juriga St. Charles NorthJuriga, who was named to the Class 7A All-State team, led the North Stars in tackles (105) for the second consecutive year. "We expected Jake to be one of the best (players) and he was," St. Charles North coach Mark Gould said. "He's very smart, has a tremendous instinct for the ball and is a very good hard-nosed player." Juriga had 58 solo tackles and 6 tackles for losses, forced 3 fumbles and recovered 1, and deflected 4 passes and intercepted 2.

Peter Kariotis Aurora ChristianThe senior nose tackle, like quarterback Jordan Roberts, was a four-year starter. Kariotis clogged the middle when opposing teams tried to run the ball against the Eagles, and he pressured the quarterback when they tried to pass. At 317 pounds, Kariotis made life easier for his teammates by drawing two blockers almost every play. "He had to be double-teamed every game," Eagles coach Don Beebe said. "When his motor was going he simply was impossible to block. Was second on the team in tackles which says a lot for a nose guard."

Matt Morse Aurora ChristianThe junior Class 4A All-Stater caught 21 touchdown passes, becoming just the 13th receiver in Illinois history to catch at least 20 in a season. Morse missed the first four games of the year, then returned with 8 touchdown receptions in his first two games back. He stayed hot in the playoffs, despite constant double teams, with four TD catches against Plano, then 2 in both the semifinal win at Richmond-Burton and 2 in the state championship loss to Bloomington Central Catholic. "Matt has all the tools every great wideout needs: speed, great hands and run precise routes," Aurora Christian coach Don Beebe said. "To think he did all this in 8 games."

Brennan Quinn GenevaFor the second straight year Quinn led the Vikings in tackles and was named to the All-Area team. He had 111 tackles this year and 125 in 2007. "He's been a middle linebacker for three years and he's gotten an ungodly numbers of tackles," Geneva coach Rob Wicinski said. "He has not missed a game from sophomore year on. He's a warrior who has been there for us every day, every game." Quinn certainly had a lot to do with the Vikings making things miserable for opponents and in posting a 24-2 record over the past two seasons.

Michael Ratay GenevaHow can one even begin to summarize Ratay's senior season? A few of the countless highlights include rushing for 100-plus yards in 13 consecutive games, scoring 44 rushing touchdowns (which was 1 shy of tying the single-season IHSA record), and amassing a career-best 358 rushing yards and scoring a career-tying 6 touchdowns in a 47-14 victory over rival Batavia to close out an second straight undefeated regular season. "We have been very fortunate and I've been very blessed as a coach to have him," Geneva coach Rob Wicinski said. "I think this is a career-type kid for me as a coach."

Jordan Roberts Aurora ChristianThe Class 4A All-State senior quarterback finished his career with 45 touchdown passes this season on 217 for 377 passing for 2,720 yards. That gives him career marks of 127 touchdown passes and 9,750 passing yards, both the most in state history. Roberts led his team to second place in Class 4A by throwing two touchdowns in a win over 7-time defending state champ Driscoll, three in the semifinal come-from-behind win at Richmond-Burton, and four in the state title game against Bloomington Central Catholic. "What more needs to be said about the man that owns almost all the career records for a QB," Aurora Christian coach Don Beebe said. "Simply one of the best this state has ever seen."