Football: Fox Valley all-area team
Dwayne Allen, Jr. St. EdwardThis junior running back's cutback ability and breakaway speed led to Class 4A All-State honorable mention recognition. The Metro Suburban East Offensive Player of the Year rushed for 1,573 yards and 19 touchdowns in 201 attempts (7.8 avg.). He also made 6 receptions for 104 yards and 2 more scores. “He was just magic with the ball in his hands,” St. Edward coach Mike Rolando said. “He was a unanimous pick for conference offensive player of the year. The other coaches said there wasn't even a need for a discussion. And he's humble about it. He deflects all the credit to his teammates.”
Jeremy Behnke HuntleyThis 6-foot, 250-pound defensive lineman was a force on the front line for the Red Raiders throughout an 8-win season. The senior helped Huntley return to the playoffs for the second time in three years by posting 43 total tackles, including 5 tackles for loss and a team-best 4.5 sacks. “He's one of those guys you could play inside or outside and he could make all the plays no matter where you played him,” Huntley coach John Hart said. “He has those fast-twitch muscles. He led our defensive line in just about every statistic.”
Anthony Binetti HuntleyHuntley's 6-foot-1, 195-pound quarterback helped the Red Raiders get back to the playoffs with his accurate arm and quick feet. The junior completed 111 of 200 passes (55.5 percent) for 1,860 yards. He threw 22 touchdowns while being intercepted only 7 times for a quarterback rating of 109.2. He also carried the ball 77 times for 249 yards and 2 touchdowns. “Very few high school quarterbacks can make every throw, and he can make every single one of them,” Huntley coach John Hart said. “When he's good, there's nobody like him and that's what makes him special.”
Dan Danek BartlettThis 6-foot-3, 245-pound linebacker was the whole package for the Bartlett defense. Named team MVP, the senior led the Hawks with 82 tackles to go with 3 sacks, 7 quarterback hurries and a forced fumble. “He did everything we asked of him and really led the team,” Bartlett coach Tom Meaney said. “He's a smart kid and a great communicator who worked hard in the off-season to get better.”
Trevor Davison Burlington CentralThis 5-foot-8, 175-pound senior was an invaluable two-way performer for the 6-win Rockets. Offensively, he rushed for 670 yards and a team-high 12 touchdowns in 124 attempts (5.4 avg.). Davison also made 26 catches for 259 yards. Defensively, the all-Big Northern East safety finished with 51 tackles and an interception. “From Day 1 he was the only guy that we had to play both ways,” Burlington Central coach Rich Crabel said. “He did a great job at safety for us and he played multiple roles for us offensively.”
Malik Dunner Dundee-CrownA repeat all-area pick committed to Ball State, this two-way star suffered a high-ankle sprain in Week 1 and played through pain all season long. Despite the injury the all-FVC Valley pick managed to rush for at least one touchdown and 100 yards in each of the games he was able to start. “He wasn't 100 percent all year and he still found a way,” Dundee-Crown coach Mike Steinhaus said. “He's a great character kid. It's a good thing when one of your best players is the first in the weight room and the last to leave.”
Mason Fleury HampshireThis all-FVC Fox pick was a two-way standout as a senior. Offensively, the running back carried 94 times for 418 yards and 7 touchdowns, and he made 9 catches for 104 yards. Defensively, he played 7 games at free safety and led Hampshire with 68 tackles. He also registered a safety, forced 3 fumbles, recovered another and defended 4 passes. “He was named our team MVP,” Hampshire coach Mike Brasile said. “He was the heart and soul of our entire team.”
Jake French St. EdwardOpponents regularly double-teamed or even triple-teamed this determined junior nose guard, mostly to no avail. The 5-foot-9, 160-pound junior unanimously was named defensive player of the year in the Metro Suburban East after registering 77 tackles and 12 sacks. French also forced 4 fumbles and recovered 4 fumbles. “He wreaked havoc in the backfield of our opponents,” St. Edward coach Mike Rolando said. “For a 160-pound nose guard to have that kind of an impact, it just shows how tough a kid he is.”
Alex Gardeck Crystal Lake SouthThis returning offensive lineman switched to linebacker before the season began, but he was soon recalled to play center full time out of necessity. This 5-foot-10, 210-pound senior overcame a small tear in his trachea and returned in two weeks to help an offense that was struggling come together at midseason and challenge for a playoff spot and a division title. “He's the kind of kid we could have moved just about anywhere and he would have succeeded,” Crystal Lake South coach Chuck Ahsmann said. “He was a three-year starter and he did a great job for us.”
Michael Gomez Cary-GroveA Class 7A All-State selection and a repeat all-area pick, this 6-foot-4, 260-pound senior was the emotional leader of the 2014 Class 7A state runner-up. This versatile defensive lineman, who was named honorary co-captain of the all-area team with teammate Trevor Ruhland, was a four-year starter for a team that twice appeared in state championship games. Gomez finished his senior season with 32.5 tackles, including team highs in sacks (5) and tackles for loss (6.5). He had 2 tackles for loss against Providence in the state championship game. “He plays with relentlessness,” Cary-Grove coach Brad Seaburg said. “I think he's one of the best competitors to ever come through this program.”
Larkin Hanselmann Cary-GroveThis senior packed a lot of punch into a 5-foot-7, 140-pound frame, as he proved with 47 total tackles, including 4 in the Class 7A state championship game. “He has 4.4 speed and he's deceptively powerful,” Cary-Grove coach Brad Seaburg said. “Several times he came up from his free safety position and just drilled kids 40 pounds heavier than him and did it fearlessly. And he was such a weapon in the backfield.” Offensively, Hanselmann led the Trojans with 16 receptions for 348 yards and 4 touchdowns and he rushed 15 times for 208 yards (13.9 avg.) and 2 touchdowns.
AJ Hunter LarkinThis all-around athlete emerged as one of the premier two-way football players in the area. A unanimous Upstate Eight River selection, the 5-foot-11, 150-pound junior was Larkin's leading offensive threat at wide receiver with 53 catches for 722 yards and 7 touchdowns. Defensively, the multisport athlete also grabbed 4 interceptions, including a 65-yard touchdown return against Streamwood. “He was a pretty consistent guy for us and he made big plays almost every single game,” Larkin coach Dragan Teonic said. “With a good off-season, I think his best football is yet to come.”
Andrew Kamienski South ElginThis junior played on both sides of the ball for the 5-4 Storm. A 6-foot, 180-pound wide receiver, Kamienski was targeted 62 times and made 40 catches for 738 yards (18.5 avg.) and 5 touchdowns. Defensively, he finished with 18 total tackles and 2 interceptions. “He was a two-way player for us, which is extremely valuable,” South Elgin coach Pat Pistorio said. “When in doubt we could turn to him to fill any position on the field except for the line, which I'm sue he'd play if necessary. He's a coach's dream as far as tenacity.”
Craig Kein Burlington CentralBurlington Central's return to playoff football after a two-year absence was due in part to the outstanding play of this all-Big Northern East inside linebacker. The 6-foot-1, 205-pound senior took part in a team-best 112 tackles during his third varsity season. He also snared an interception and made a pair of fumble recoveries. “He did a lot of things for us, especially against teams that passed the ball,” Central coach Rich Crabel said. “He was big for us in pass defense. I thought he had a great season.”
Chris Kelly St. EdwardA two-way starter for two seasons, this academic all-state selection helped the Green Wave to a conference championship and program-record 10 wins with his all-Metro Suburban East play at linebacker and center. Defensively, the 5-foot-10, 200-pound senior finished the season with 64 tackles and 2 sacks, 2 passes defended and a fumble recovery. Offensively, he centered an offense that averaged 380 yards and 39.5 points per game. “He improved his speed so he could cover sideline to sideline, and he's so smart it was like having another coach on the field,” St. Edward coach Mike Rolando said.
Tim McCloyn HuntleyAthleticism abounds in this 6-foot-, 205-pound defensive lineman. The junior led the 8-2 Red Raiders with 10 tackles for loss among his 41 total tackles. He also recorded 4 sacks, second among Huntley defenders, and he forced a fumble. “He was probably our best player and, I think, one of the top 40 recruits in the state in his class,” Huntley coach John Hart said. “In track, he went to state in (two relays), he long jumps 23 feet and he can throw the shot put 53 feet. Athletically, he's a freak.”
Joe Mullen St. EdwardThis 6-foot-3, 175 pound quarterback completed 54 percent of his passes (107 of 198) for 1,781 yards. An all-Metro Suburban East selection, the senior threw 27 touchdowns and 10 interceptions for the 10-1 Green Wave. “He's a quarterback who really grasped what we were doing and why we were doing it,” St. Edward coach Mike Rolando said. “He's always had a strong arm but the mental toughness he developed this year became a key strength.”
Tyler Pennington Cary-GroveThis 5-foot-10, 190-pound sophomore was invaluable on both sides of the ball throughout Cary-Grove's run to the Class 7A title game. In 14 starts at fullback, he rushed 274 times for 1,833 yards (6.7 avg.) and his 33 touchdowns shattered the previous single-season school record of 26. Defensively, Pennington started every playoff game at middle linebacker after playing defense part time during the regular season. He finished with 29 tackles, 6 for a loss. “He's such a mature kid,” Cary-Grove coach Brad Seaburg said. “For a sophomore he's head and shoulders above his peers from a mental aspect. Physically, he got himself faster and he got himself stronger. He's just an excellent competitor.”
Noah Polich StreamwoodA precise route runner who understands how to get open against any coverage, this sticky handed wide receiver led the area in receptions (91) and receiving yards (1,032) and scored 8 touchdowns along the way. The 5-foot-11, 185-pound senior also rushed 12 times for 68 yards. “He's a once-in-every-10-years type of player,” Streamwood coach Mark Orszula said. “Noah was the best football player on our team.”
Trevor Ruhland Cary-GroveA Class 7A All-State selection and repeat all-area pick, this 6-foot-4, 280-pound offensive tackle was a driving force behind Cary-Grove's push to the state finals. Committed to Notre Dame, this aggressive tackle pancaked approximately 40 opponents as he helped the triple-option offense gain 4,898 rushing yards in 14 games (350 avg.). “I've talked to some Division-I coaches who say guys Ruhland's size don't do what he does all the time: bury guys on every play, or at least try to bury them,” Cary-Grove coach Brad Seaburg said. “Trevor finishes blocks to the whistle.” The honorary co-captain of the all-area team along with teammate Michael Gomez, Ruhland also played defense in short-yardage situations and posted 16 tackles and 2 sacks.
Kyle Sanft BartlettThis Division-I prospect was a fixture for the Hawks for the second straight season at offensive tackle, where he recorded 71 pancake blocks. The 6-foot-3, 285-pound junior also played on the defensive line, where he made 40 tackles and notched 2 sacks. “He's an extremely hard worker with a high football IQ,” Bartlett coach Tom Meaney said. “He goes to a lot of camps and clinics because he wants to be the best football player he can be. We're glad to have him coming back for another year.”
Jordan Smith ElginA three-year varsity player, this two-way performer was among the best athletes to compete on area gridirons this fall. An all-Upstate Eight River selection, the 6-foot-2, 200-pound senior led the offense with 21 receptions for 421 yards and 4 touchdowns. Defensively, he finished with 47 tackles, including a team-best 42 solo. He also led the Maroons in interceptions (3) and passes defended (4). Smith was named the Maroon Helmet award winner by his teammates for exemplifying dedication to the program on and off the field. “He's the epitome of the kind of football player we want our younger guys to look up to as a role model,” Elgin coach Kyle Rohde said. “He helped get this program back on the right track.”
Matt Sutherland Cary-GroveA repeat all-area selection and a three-year varsity player who started in the secondary in two state championship games, this 5-foot-8, 165-pound senior led the Trojans with 63.5 tackles, including a game-high 6 tackles in the Class 7A final. Offensively, the all-FVC Valley pick rushed for 601 yards and 8 touchdowns in 78 attempts (7.7 avg.). “Matt is everything you're looking for in a leader,” Cary-Grove coach Brad Seaburg said of the three-sport athlete. “He'd be the guy who would set the tone in practice. The best way to describe him is that he does everything right.”
Josh Walker JacobsA repeat all-area selection, this exciting tailback was fun to watch for everyone except the 11 men standing on the other side of the line of scrimmage. The 5-foot-6, 160-pound senior with exceptional quickness and breakaway speed rushed for 1,211 yards and 17 touchdowns on 141 carries (8.6 avg). The all-FVC Valley pick also made 19 receptions for 256 yards and 2 long touchdowns. “Without a doubt he is one of the most electrifying players I've ever been around,” said Jacobs coach Bill Mitz, a 34-year veteran. “He was a great leader for us with his work ethic.” Walker has gained interest from Eastern Illinois, Western Illinois, Illinois State and Army.
2014 Fox Valley all-area team
Player School Yr. Pos.Dwayne Allen, Jr. St. Edward Jr. RB
Jeremy Behnke Huntley Sr. DL
Anthony Binetti Huntley Jr. QB
Dan Danek Bartlett Sr. OL/DL
Trevor Davison Burlington Central Sr. RB/S
Malik Dunner Dundee-Crown Sr. RB/S
Mason Fleury Hampshire Sr. RB/S
Jake French St. Edward Jr. NG
Alex Gardeck Crystal Lake South Sr. C
*Michael Gomez Cary-Grove Sr. G/NG
Larkin Hanselmann Cary-Grove Sr. S/WR
AJ Hunter Larkin Jr. WR/DB
Andrew Kamienski South Elgin Jr. WR/DB
Craig Kein Burlington Central Sr. LB
Chris Kelly St. Edward Sr. C/LB
Tim McCloyn Huntley Jr. DL
Joe Mullen St. Edward Sr. QB
Tyler Pennington Cary-Grove So. FB/LB
Noah Polich Streamwood Sr. WR/DB
*Trevor Ruhland Cary-Grove Sr. OT/DL
Kyle Sanft Bartlett Jr. OT/DT
Jordan Smith Elgin Sr. WR/DB
Matt Sutherland Cary-Grove Sr. RB/S
Josh Walker Jacobs Sr. RB
* Honorary captain
Honorable mentionBartlett — Nolan Bernat (Jr., RB/DB), Cameron Mays (Jr., DB)
Burlington Central — Brenden Bushy (Sr., WR), Anton Christensen (Sr., LB)
Cary-Grove — Ray DiMatteo (Sr., DL), Jason Gregoire (Sr. QB), George Hartke (Sr., S/TE), Willie Hartke (Sr., S), Zach McQuade (Sr., CB), Travis Myerson (Sr., LB), Scotty Topole (Sr., C)
Crystal Lake South — Joe Ahsmann (Sr., S), Kyle Bartusch (Sr., FB), Corey Sheehan (Jr., RB)
Elgin — Dontrell Gaddy (Sr., QB/WR/DB)
Hampshire — Matt Kielbasa (Jr., C/DL), Mike Palazzolo (Sr., LB)
Huntley — Brandon Altergott (Sr., WR), Josh Esikiel (Sr., WR), Jake Witt (Sr., FB)
Jacobs — Jeff Sidor (Sr., C/G/DT), Chris Katrenick (So., QB), Camden McLain (Sr., WR)
St. Edward — Nick Duffy (Sr., WR), Jack Tierney (Sr., OL/LB), Josh Von Rohr (Sr., DE)
South Elgin — Jarin Davis (Sr., OL), Derek Kumerow (Jr., WR/DB), Hayden Nelson (Sr., QB)
Streamwood — Garrett Brown (Sr., DB), Max Draper (Sr., QB), Jake Painter (Jr., LB)
Westminster Christian — Xavier Brown (So., LB/RB)