Tri-Cities all-area football team
Wes Allen, St. Charles East
Last year, Allen was promoted to the varsity in Week 3. His first run went for a 67-yard touchdown and he's been starting ever since. This season, the junior led the Saints with 1,321 rushing yards (6.2 avg.) and 17 rushing TDs. "Bringing him up last year was such a nice thing," Saints coach Ted Monken said. "He's productive, he's coachable and does exactly what he's supposed to do." And he'll be back next year. "I think the experience from last year helped with my vision," Allen said. "I saw the game differently and the holes opening up."
Terran Buck, West Aurora
Buck, a 6-foot-2, 215-pound senior linebacker, enjoyed his third year on varsity as a team captain who was the Blackhawks' team MVP on defense and made first team all-DuPage Valley Conference for the second consecutive year. This season, he led the team in tackles (78), tackles for loss (4) and sacks (6). He also forced 3 fumbles, had a blocked punt and a fumble recovery. "He played great," West Aurora coach Buck Drach said. "He's an awfully good football player."
Jake Conforti, Geneva
In Week 5 of 2006 against Sycamore, Conforti sustained a career-threatening knee injury. Thanks to his vigorous rehabilitation he not only got on the field but was a huge reason for Geneva's success. "He has unbelievable character and fortitude to fight through adversity and get back on the field," Geneva coach Rob Wicinski said. "He led in interceptions (tied with 4), was a solid force on our run schemes and good enough to get back on the pass." Wicinski felt Conforti often played like a linebacker. "He's very physical and probably the most instinctive kid since I've been here."
Pat Friel, St. Charles East
At times it seemed like whoever had the ball was being wrapped up by Friel. He had a lot to do with the Saints winning the Upstate Eight Conference and shutting out three opponents. "He was tremendous and as good as any player I've seen in tackling and tackles for losses," Saints coach Ted Monken said. "Getting to the ball is one thing but doing that is a credit to his ability. He's a great worker and athlete and it's going to be exciting to have him next year."
Michael Friend, Aurora Christian
A starter since his sophomore year, Friend caught 39 passes for 544 yards and 12 touchdowns. He also was a two-way starter, using his 6-foot-2, 212-pound body to deliver some crushing blows in the secondary. "We could play him anywhere," Aurora Christian coach Don Beebe said. "I could see him playing free safety in college. He's a big kid, a strong kid, and he can knock someone's head off." Beebe said Friend is getting feelers from some small Division I schools and several Division II schools.
Jody Henningson, Kaneland
Henningson's (2,685 passing yards, 20 TD passes, 892 rushing yards, 8 TD rushes) performance was one of few highlights for the Knights. "At first he was nervous coming in and not wanting to let the team down," Kaneland coach Tom Fedderly said. "At the first 7-on-7 he threw a 40-yard touchdown pass and after that he went from where people were wondering if he could pick up schemes to calling plays. He just did everything we thought he could and then some." Henningson (3,575) had more yards of total offense in the regular season than quarterback Boone Thorgesen (3,324) did in the same timeframe a year ago.
Tim Janeway, St. Charles North
At 6-foot, 195 pounds, Janeway usually was going against bigger linemen and often found himself double-teamed, but that did stop him from coming up with countless big plays (12½ sacks, 17 tackles for loss, 34 solo tackles, 4 forced fumbles, 5 recovered fumbles) for the North Stars. "He was our leader," North Stars coach Mark Gould said. "He has pure desire and heart and leads by example and that showed all the time." He had 4 sacks in a win against Larkin and a game-saving stop on a 2-point conversion attempt against St. Charles East.
Dave Mashal, St. Charles East
You'd be hard pressed to find a better defensive player in the area -- or a more emotional one-- than Mashal. The runner-up UEC Defensive Player of the Year was simply the heart and soul of the Saints' defense. "Full of spirit and high emotion. He brought more of that then we've had since I started here," Saints coach Ted Monken said. "He brought it every time he stepped on the field." Mashal was rewarded with a spot on the coaches association Class 7A all-state team.
Brennan Quinn, Geneva
It must be the name. Last year Josh Brennan led the Vikings in tackles; this season linebacker Brennan Quinn did (125). "He easily led us in tackles and he's done nothing but gotten better and better," Geneva coach Rob Wicinski said. "Now he's beginning to gravitate and do even more. He's really done a nice job for two years now." Quinn (3 sacks) was one of the bigger components for a defense that had a tremendous season.
Sean Ramsey, Batavia
The three-year starting offensive lineman was named co-MVP by his teammates. "He's a quality young man, a team captain and an outstanding student," Batavia coach Mike Gaspari said. "We actually moved him from tackle to guard this season and he didn't miss a beat. He's simply been a great leader for us." Ramsey also found himself playing a lot on the defensive side of the ball. "We were a little short-handed and it was a no-brainer for us to get him on the field as much as possible," Gaspari said.
Michael Ratay, Geneva
How incredible was Ratay's season? Think of this: The Class 7A all-stater rushed for 1,743 yards and 29 touchdowns, had 4 touchdown receptions, threw a touchdown pass and really wasn't fully healthy until midway through the regular season. "We didn't know how he'd come back from the ankle (last year's injury) and then he had a bone bruise," Geneva coach Rob Wicinski said. "He didn't really get healthy until the fifth game." His numbers were certainly healthy though. "He's heck of a back," Wicinski said.
Jordan Roberts, Aurora Christian
Roberts followed up outstanding freshman and sophomore seasons by completing 153 of 273 passes for 2,509 yards and 33 touchdowns. Barring injury, he'll leave next year as the state's all-time leader in touchdowns and passing yards. "He is such a student of the game," Aurora Christian coach Don Beebe said. "He is a coach on the field. He's statistically putting up numbers that's going to go down in history, and he's earned all that."
John Smith, Aurora Christian
This senior running back burned teams on the ground with 111 carries for 786 yards and 15 touchdowns, and also in the passing game with 27 receptions for 465 yards and 6 scores. He added 6 2-point conversions runs while starting both ways as a defensive back. "He does everything," Beebe said. "That versatility, that's what you love most, and it's why we're really going to miss him and (Michael) Friend." Smith has drawn interest from Division II schools.
Eric Strauss, Geneva
Strauss and the rest of the Vikings' offensive line averaged just under 330 offensive yards per game. This 6-foot-2, 240-pound center was the quarterback on the line. "He called our line signals and improved so much from junior to senior year," Geneva coach Rob Wicinski said. Hard work with the weights and techniques last off-season paid off substantially for the senior. "He was one of the reasons we were so successful."
Nick Zuccarini, Marmion
This 5-foot-10, 175-pound senior linebacker made the Suburban Catholic all-conference team and won team MVP honors for the Cadets. A two-year starter, Zuccarini made 100 tackles including 49 solo tackles and 5 tackles for a loss. He also had 4 pass knockdowns and 3 interceptions. He twice had 16 tackles in a game. "He would start at linebacker for any team in the area because of his passion for the game," Marmion coach Dan Thorpe said. "Nick played at the highest level of intensity of any player I have coached."
2007 All-Tri Cities roster
Wes Allen, St. Charles East, RB, Jr.
Terran Buck, West Aurora,, LB, Sr.
Jake Conforti, Geneva, S, Sr.
Pat Friel, St. Charles East, LB, Jr.
Michael Friend, Aurora Christian, WR/DB, Sr.
Jody Henningson, Kaneland, QB, Sr.
Tim Janeway, St. Charles North, DE, Sr.
Dave Mashal, St. Charles East, DT, Sr.
Brennan Quinn, Geneva, RB, Jr.
Sean Ramsey, Batavia, OL, Sr.
Michael Ratay, Geneva, RB, Jr.
Jordan Roberts, Aurora Christian, QB, Jr.
John Smith, Aurora Christian, RB, Sr.
Eric Strauss, Geneva, OL, Sr.
Nick Zuccarini, Marmion, LB, Sr.
Special mention
Mike Adams (jr., QB/DB, Aurora Central); Joe Augustine (sr., WR, Geneva); Matt Caliendo (sr., DL, Geneva); Jordan Church (sr., DL/TE, Batavia); Sam Gunther (sr., QB, St. Charles East); Matt Hammer (sr., WR, St. Charles East); Jake Juriga (jr., LB, St. Charles North); J.R. Kabba (jr., RB, Batavia); Peter Kariotis ( jr., DT, Aurora Christian); Korey Maple (sr., WR, Kaneland); Mike Mayszak (sr., QB, Geneva); Dan McSweeney (sr., DL, St. Charles North); Kyle Phelps (sr., OL, West Aurora); Alex Picini (sr., K, Marmion); Josh Zinzer (jr., DB, West Aurora).
Honorable mention
Mark Adams (sr., WR/DB, Aurora Central); Ryley Bailey (so., WR, Kaneland); Alex Berg (jr., OL, Batavia); Jordan Boser (sr., LB, Geneva); Chris Caci (sr., RB, St. Charles East); Stewart Charles (sr., DB, Batavia); Phil Christensen (sr., OL/DL, Kaneland); Brian Claesson (sr., DB/WR, Kaneland); Markus Cocroft (jr., DB/WR, West Aurora); Jordan Coffey (jr., QB, Batavia); Jon DeMoss (jr., RB, St. Charles North); Rich Downie (sr., OL, St. Charles North); Jason Eddy (jr., OL, West Aurora); Kyle Edwards (sr., WR/LB, Aurora Central); Casey Emanuel (sr., DB, Geneva); Sean Fichtel (jr., DB/SE, Marmion); Lewis Gaddis (jr., FB/DL, Aurora Christian); Garrett Gilkey (sr., OL, Aurora Christian); Sean Grady (jr., DB, Geneva); Alex Heinen (sr., C, Marmion); Nic Higgins (sr., RB, St. Charles North); Cory Hofstetter (jr., DL, Geneva); Mike Hoscheit (sr., LB, St. Charles East); Manny Juarez (sr., DB/RB, Marmion); Tom Kuebel (sr., DB, St. Charles East); Mike Lefelstein (jr., DB, St. Charles North); Colin McCaffrey (sr., TE, Geneva); Matt Morse (so., WR/S, Aurora Christian); Nick Neari (jr., QB, St. Charles North); Sean O'Boyle (sr., RB/DB, Aurora Christian); Sean O' Brien (sr., DL, Batavia); Tim Ohlrich (sr., WR, St. Charles North); Alex Putz (sr., OL, St. Charles East); Taylor Reed (sr., OL, Geneva); Garrett Rivers (jr., FB, West Aurora); Chad Roscoe (sr., RB/LB, Aurora Central); Adam Schaefer (sr., LB, St. Charles East); Jamie Snyder (sr., RB, Kaneland); Tim Soloff (WR/DL, sr., West Aurora); Will Thrun (OL, sr., Batavia); Tommy Velasquez (sr., LB, Aurora Christian); Jim Vojahosky (sr., DB, St. Charles North); Ian Wallis (sr., WR, Batavia); Rodney Ward (sr., DL, West Aurora); Braxton Warner (jr., OL, Aurora Christian); T.J. Weiss (sr., LB, Kaneland); David Winn (sr., K, St. Charles East); Erich Zeddies (jr., K, Batavia).
Super seven
Best games of the year:
1) Geneva 14, Batavia 12
2) St. Charles North 28, St. Charles East 26
3) Geneva 35, St. Charles East 14, Class 7A second round
4) Aurora Christian 32, Amboy 26, Class 3A quarterfinals
5) Kaneland 31, Batavia 28
6) St. Charles East 17, Neuqua Valley 14
7) Aurora Central 27, Marmion 21
The Winners
Conference champions:
Aurora Christian, Geneva, St. Charles East (shared with Waubonsie Valley)
Playoff teams:
Aurora Christian, Batavia, Geneva, Marmion, St. Charles East, St. Charles North
Quarterfinalists:
Aurora Christian, Geneva.
Semifinalists:
Aurora Christian
The Directors
Top coaching jobs:
Don Beebe, Rob Wicinski
The Future
Teams to watch in 2008:
Geneva, Batavia, Aurora Christian