Northwest all-area team

Joey Bishoff Elk Grove

There was no surprise Bishoff delivered another big defensive year at linebacker with 65 tackles, 16 tackles for losses, 5 sacks and 4 forced fumbles. The surprise was the 6-foot-2 Bishoff led the area in receptions (51) and yards (659) and is now getting college interest on that side of the all. "You never get used to outstanding catches and he did it time and time again," said coach Brian Doll. "And at the same time he was able to be one of our best players on defense."

Cody Bobbit Palatine

Bobbit's athletic gifts were clear to see as he played an instrumental role on three playoff teams. But it was the other things the senior could see that helped him complete 65 percent of his passes for 2,048 yards with 15 TDs and 6 interceptions, rush for 847 yards and 11 TDs and become a force in the secondary. "He was once in a lifetime," said coach Tyler Donnelly. "When you talk to him about football and sports in general, he understands the game like a coach does."

Brian Bobek Fremd

The Ohio State-bound center and U.S. Army All-American Bowl selection was willing to do whatever it took for Fremd to recover from a 1-4 start to earn its 16th straight playoff berth and a share of an eighth straight MSL West title. That included playing some guard and defense. "He lived up to his billing as being an All-American," said coach Mike Donatucci. "He was dominant on both sides of the ball in every game and he never put his own agenda in front of the team."

Pat Bolger Barrington

The two-year starter, team captain and center made all the line calls as Barrington won its first 7 games en route to a playoff berth. Air Force is one of the schools interested in the 6-foot-3, 275-pound senior. "He was really the guy who set the tone for us offensively," said coach Joe Sanchez. "He really established a businesslike manner for us and made sure guys understood what they needed to do."

Peter Bonahoom Prospect

Bonahoom makes big things happen whether he's on the football or baseball field. The repeat all-area football pick rushed for 1,075 yards and 9 TDs and was a receiving threat, had 7 interceptions and 3 fumble recoveries at safety, punted for a 34.4-yard average and had a 28.7-yard average on kickoff returns. "As far as a playmaker I'd put Pete right up there with Miles (Osei)," said coach Brent Pearlman. "He was a creator. He was a special player this year."

Tyler Brady Wheeling

The story of this kid named Brady isn't completed yet with one more season left at Wheeling. But his second year as a starter was a big step forward as he completed 57 percent of his passes for 1,385 yards and 10 TDs and rushed for 680 yards and 6 TDs. Set school records for completions in a season (130) and game (29). "He took control of the offense and did a real nice job of doing what Brian (offensive coordinator Hauck) expected him to do," said coach Dave Dunbar.

Colin Buscarini Rolling Meadows

Playing football brought joy and a smile to Buscarini's face even in pain few players would be able to endure much less succeed at a high level. The repeat all-area pick received rave reviews from opposing coaches after playing linebacker with a torn meniscus and then returning for his last high school game less than two weeks after surgery. Had 110 tackles while fully healthy in just four games.

Mike Cardamone Maine West

The three-time all-Central Suburban League pick stood out on and off the field for Maine West. Cardamone had 85 tackles at linebacker, had a team-high 227 yards receiving and also rushed for 112 yards. The standout student with a 4.4 GPA and 33 ACT is leaning toward Drake for its pharmaceutical program. "An incredibly hard worker and a top-notch kid," said coach Chris Hare. "He was a real role model for everyone in the program."

Joe Damisch Buffalo Grove

Calling Damisch "Joe D" is fitting since he had 79 tackles, 15 tackles for losses, 5 sacks and a fumble return for a TD. But the 6-foot-3, 240-pound senior also blocked 2 punts and made a midseason move to center even though he was playing well at left tackle. "He was probably the most dominant defensive player we've had," said coach Jim Farrell. "He was the heart and soul of our O-line." Getting Ivy League and MAC interest with a 5.38 GPA and 33 ACT.

Steve Dazzo Prospect

Replacing Illinois freshman Miles Osei at quarterback wasn't going to be easy. Dazzo did it successfully in his own way as he earned MSL East co-offensive player of the year honors by rushing for 1,476 yards and 23 TDs and passing for 1,263 yards and 12 TDs. "That position became a major strength," said coach Brent Pearlman. "People started taking Steve away as much as Pete (Bonahoom) and that's a credit to both guys." Dazzo could end up playing in the Ivy League.

Grant DePalma Prospect

Not the fastest running back. Not the biggest linebacker. But DePalma epitomized the success Prospect had in its 12-year tenure under Brent Pearlman with his leadership, ability, toughness and courage. The senior had 103 tackles, rushed for 447 yards and 7 TDs and had 3 TD catches. "He led us with his play but he really led us with his spirit," Pearlman said. "He's one of the best linebackers we've had. He's a kid where you're his coach but you're also one of his biggest fans."

John Eliades Elk Grove

Eliades had to tackle a tough task in replacing all-area linebacker and team defensive MVP Kyle Pfister. The senior handled it well by finishing with 100 tackles and the Grens' defensive MVP honors. Eliades also had 6 tackles for loss, 3 sacks and 3 forced fumbles. "By far he was the most improved player for us this year in our program," said coach Brian Doll. "He was a quiet leader. He did a really solid job for us week in and week out."

Dan Haze Palatine

Haze's receiving numbers of 44 catches for 554 yards and 4 TDs were among the best in the area. And the senior and as just one of a number of targets for the Pirates as they reached the 8A quarterfinals. "If he had been in a more traditional offense, a pro set with one feature receiver, I think he could have set some school records," said coach Tyler Donnelly. "He's that good of a receiver." Also excelled at cornerback and led with hard work and toughness."

Mark Iannotti Schaumburg

Iannotti kept getting better from his playoff call-up as a sophomore to his spectacular 397 total yards in this season's second-round loss to Simeon. The Eastern Michigan recruit hit 67 percent of his passes for 1,398 yards with 12 TDs and 3 interceptions and ran for 1,051 yards and 11 TDs. "The strides he made his junior year to senior year were pretty impressive," said coach Mark Stilling. "He did a lot for us that wasn't necessarily reflected every Saturday morning in the box score."

Kenny Kalish Conant

There may not have appeared to be much room for improvement for Kalish after a strong junior year. But the 6-foot-4, 320-pound Kalish found it in his third varsity season. "I'd say he improved the most and for a kid at that level, that's not easy to pull off," said coach Bill Modelski. "He's been a real joy to be around and he's a great kid. Nobody works harder, he's a true leader and he might be the best offensive lineman we've ever seen at Conant."

Jack Konopka Fremd

Konopka and all-area teammates Brian Bobek and Justin Wallace did whatever they could to extend Fremd's streak of playoff berths to 16. For the 6-foot-5, 265-pounds Northwestern recruit that meant more blocking and also having a defensive impact with 3 sacks and 3 tackles for losses. "Jack was very unselfish," said coach Mike Donatucci. "He showed a lot of maturity at the end of the year to raise his game and bring up other people around him."

Jimmy Kristof Barrington

There was nothing wrong with Barrington running right behind the "Three Amigos" with Kristof at guard between center Pat Bolger and tackle Dan Voltz. The 6-foot-4, 305-pound Kristof is also very athletic and has Division I interest that includes an offer from Southern Illinois. "He finishes people," said coach Joe Sanchez, "and he was really an important part of a really special offensive line for us. This kid can play and he really gets after it."

Mike Krzoska St. Viator

If St. Viator needed a stop then Krzoska was usually a good place to start. The senior middle linebacker finished with 102 tackles (89 solos) and had 5 sacks. Also earned all-East Suburban Catholic Conference honors. "He's an extremely talented and hardworking kid," said coach Chris Kirkpatrick. "He's tough and hard-nosed, but more than that he's a great character kid. He's a kid who you're proud to say he was part of your program."

Ben LeCompte Barrington

LeCompte's leg was crucial to Barrington's return to the playoffs. The senior hit 5 of 7 field goals with a long of 43 yards, punted for a 36-yard average and broke a 20-year-old school record by averaging 56.9 yards a kickoff with 45 touchbacks in 55 attempts. "He's such a weapon for us," said coach Joe Sanchez. "He was an extra dimension on offense and defense for us." Also had 4 interceptions a school-record three in one game in his first year at defensive back.

Shepard Little Schaumburg

Little's return after having to sit out his junior year was big for Schaumburg as it won a share of the MSL West title. An all-area running back as a sophomore, Little wasn't affected by the layoff with 1,912 yards and 24 TDs and 28 catches for 302 yards. "I couldn't be prouder of a kid and the way he persevered," said coach Mark Stilling. "I don't know what people on the outside expected from him this year but nothing he did surprised me."

Nelson Lugo Leyden

The junior linebacker was counted on to do more in his second year as a starter and he delivered for one of the area's top defenses. Lugo led Leyden in tackles with 66 solos and 44 assists, had 10 stops for losses and a sack and forced and recovered 4 fumbles. "He really stepped up his leadership this year," coach Tom Cerasani said of his first junior captain. "He's a great football player. He really brought the wood at times." Lugo's offensive role will also increase next year.

Nick Meyer Elk Grove

Meyer left it all out on a field he rarely left whether he was playing quarterback, safety and occasionally special teams. He accounted for 3,269 yards of total offense and 40 TDs this fall and wasn't afraid to enter the fray on defense with 50 tackles and 6 tackles for losses. A three-year starter who led the Grens to consecutive playoff berths and could end up at an Ivy League program. "He's a class act," said coach Brian Doll.

Jermaine Moore Hoffman Estates

Even though his Hoffman career is over, Moore has been delivering a message to underclassmen that he finally came to understand this fall about always working to improve. Moore had a team-high 60 tackles, 7 tackles for loss and 2 forced fumbles after not playing defense as a junior. He rushed for 250 yards and 2 TDs. "He's definitely a role model for when you apply yourself you can reach your potential," said coach Bill Helzer. "He's a guy where the light bulb went on his senior year."

Dan Panicko Prospect

Any panic about Prospect's defense this year was quickly eliminated when Panicko had 2 sacks in the opener. He set an aggressive tone for the year and had 7½ sacks, 5 tackles for losses and an interception return for a TD. Keyed the offensive line with his quickness and also handled long and short snaps on special teams. "We call it the 'U-turn rule,'" said coach Brent Pearlman. "If he tried to come off the field we told him to take a U-turn because he wasn't coming off."

Chris Polinski Hersey

Polinski was healthy and got a chance to show what he could do and also help the program get back on track in Dragan Teonic's first year as head coach. The versatile senior rushed for 552 yards and 6 TDs, caught 36 passes for 413 yards and could also play quarterback if needed. A big part of Hersey winning 3 games this season after just two wins total in the previous three seasons.

Bob Quilico Schaumburg

The powerful hits just kept coming from Quilico in a second straight all-area season. The senior safety had 111 tackles in a defensive scheme designed for him to make an impact. "I would say he's the best tackler I've ever seen and I don't think I've ever seen him miss a tackle," said coach Mark Stilling. "He has hits where you just cringe. We'll miss him a ton because he knew our defense as well as anyone on the field." Also an offensive factor with a team-high 5 TD catches.

Jim Smearman Palatine

Get Smearman's competitive fire stoked and the senior was tough to stop. The senior and two-time all-MSL linebacker also rushed for 946 yards and 15 TDs and was a receiving threat as Palatine made the quarterfinals for the first time in 13 years. "He's a heck of a competitor," said coach Tyler Donnelly. "He commands a lot of respect from the other kids because he doesn't carry himself like he's anything special around the other guys."

Dan Voltz Barrington

The two-year starting tackle and 6-foot-5, 295-pound junior already has big-time interest that includes offers from Illinois, Northwestern, Wisconsin and Arizona. But there is also a lot more to Voltz than just an imposing physical presence. "The scary part is he still has a lot of room to get better," said coach Joe Sanchez. "But the excellence you see on the field is the same excellence you see off the field. He's the kind of kid you want representing your school, community and team."

Justin Wallace Fremd

Wallace never hit the figurative wall but was willing to run through it to get Fremd into the second round of the playoffs after a 1-4 start. The senior workhorse rushed for 1,551 yards and 13 TDs and was also a fixture defensively. "Wallace is a true warrior and the kid is just top-notch in every aspect of his life," coach Mike Donatucci said of tremendous student whose next stop could be MIT. "There was no job too big or small for him to do."

Joe Zolper Schaumburg.

Zolper didn't look very imposing on the defensive line at 5-feet-10, 187 pounds. But the senior routinely imposed his will on opponents with 12½ sacks en route to MSL West defensive player of the year honors. "It became fairly apparent during summer camp he was a little difficult to block, to say the least," said coach Mark Stilling. "There aren't a whole lot of defensive linemen who can change a game the way he did."

Special mention

Anthony Babicz (Prospect, OL-DL, Sr.), Jesse Bobbit (Palatine, DB-WR, So.), Sean Connor (Rolling Meadows, LB-OL, Sr.), Zach Dulla (Barrington, WR, Sr.), Tyler Farris (Palatine, OL, Sr.), Chris Johnson (Wheeling, OL-LB, Sr.), Justin Johnson (St. Viator, WR-LB, Sr.), Tyler Juckett (Buffalo Grove, LB-RB, Sr.), Johnny Kirk (Schaumburg, S, Sr.), Zach Lewis (Prospect, OL, Sr.), John Maevski (Conant, LB, Jr.), Josh Marchok (Schaumburg, LB, Jr.), Dan Muehfelt (Fremd, OL-DL, Sr.), Chase Murdock (Barrington, RB, Jr.), Michael Sahli (Fremd, LB, Sr.), Luke Smith (Wheeling, DB, Sr.), Eddie Solorio (Elk Grove, DB-WR, Sr.), Eddie Stahl (Elk Grove, DB-WR, Sr.), Steve Travis (Leyden, DB, Sr.), Mike Wary (Elk Grove, WR-RB, Sr.)

Honorable mention

Kyle Batiz (Wheeling, WR, Sr.), Matt Boll (Prospect, OL-DL, Sr.), Brandon Brewer (Elk Grove, RB, Sr.), Sean Carney (St. Viator, OL, Jr.), Artie Checchin (Rolling Meadows, WR-DB, Jr.), Peter Cobb (Barrington, LB, Sr.), Nick Czerniak (Prospect, WR, Sr.), Jeff Diegel (Fremd, WR, Sr.), Payton Eckert (Prospect, OL, Sr.), Pat Felde (Schaumburg, DL-P, Sr.), Sam Frasco (Prospect, WR, Jr.), Dan Glad (Christian Liberty, LB-RB, So.), Ryan Gundersen (Rolling Meadows, WR-DB, Jr.), Peter Ioakimidis (Elk Grove, OL-DL, Sr.), Zach Johnson (Hersey, RB, Sr.), Cameron Korab (St. Viator, QB, Sr.), Ziggy Krycka (Maine West, QB, Sr.), Nick McHugh (Palatine, WR, Sr.), Jimmy Menges (St. Viator, RB, Sr.), Adam Mertes (Fremd, DL, Sr.), Nick Nykaza (Schaumburg, OL, Sr.), Andres Orrego (Leyden, WR-P, Sr.), Krunal Patel (Hoffman Estates, RB-LB, Sr.), Ozzie Picazo (Buffalo Grove, DL, Sr.), Kyle Pollock (Schaumburg, OL, Sr.), Michael Risher (Fremd, DB, Sr.), David Sotomayor (Christian Liberty, WB-DB, Sr.), Mike Wary (Elk Grove, RB-WR, Sr.), Jeff Zabrin (Buffalo Grove, WR-DB, Sr.), Beau Zanca (Prospect, LB, Sr.), Brett Zentner (Barrington, DL, Sr.), Richie Zirngibl (Buffalo Grove, QB-DB, Jr.)