The Daily Southtown 2020-21 All-Area Football Team
First Team Offense Jordan Anderson, Joliet Catholic, junior, running back: Rushed for 1,080 yards, 18 touchdowns. Committed to Illinois.
Pat Coogan, Marist, senior, lineman: Threeyear starter. Anchor for one of area’s most productive offenses. Committed to Notre Dame.
Michael Dobrich, Mount Carmel, senior, lineman: Key returning starter. Helped offense flourish on ground, in air. Committed to Truman State.
Valen Erickson, St. Rita, junior, lineman: Excellent technique, power. Has attracted multiple Division I programs.
Jameson Geers, Providence, senior, receiver: 23 catches, 309 yards, five TDs. Added 26 tackles, three sacks. Committed to Minnesota.
Mar’Keise Irving, Hillcrest, senior, running back: Two-time conference player of the year. Rushed for 762 yards and 13 TDs on just 64 carries. Committed to Minnesota.
Jamal Johnson, Lincoln- Way East, senior, running back: Rushed for 689 yards and six TDs on 117 carries.
Justin Lynch, Mount Carmel, senior, quarterback: Completed 83 of 138 passes for 1,059 yards and 11 TDs. Rushed for 288 yards and three TDs. Committed to Temple.
Ryan Stewart, Lincoln- Way East, senior, lineman: Anchored line as Griffins rushed for 1,061 yards, passed for 990 in undefeated season.
Bodie Turner, St. Rita, senior, lineman: Returning starter dominant in run, pass blocking. Committed to Illinois State.
Myles Walton, Homewood-Flossmoor, junior, receiver: 32 catches, 437 yards, four TDs.
First Team Defense Jett Ciucci, Lockport, senior, lineman: 31 tackles, three for loss, three sacks.
Michael Gaughan, St.
Rita, senior, linebacker: Area-leading 90 tackles, nine for loss, five sacks.
Myles Jones, Brother Rice, senior, linebacker: 43 tackles, six for loss, two sacks.
Matt Kordas, Lincoln-Way East, senior, secondary: 30 tackles, two interceptions.
Committed to Bowling Green.
Jovan Marsh, Marist, senior, secondary: 44 tackles, six for loss, one interception.
Committed to Wyoming. Payton Orth, Lincoln-Way East, senior, linebacker: 77 tackles, four for loss, one sack.
Kyle Shalati, Lincoln-Way Central, senior, lineman: 41 tackles, six for loss, two sacks.
Committed to Quincy Jalen Smith, Shepard, senior, secondary: 27 tackles, three interceptions, one for TD. Also had 14 catches, 204 yards, two TDs.
Pat Strocchia, Joliet Catholic, senior, lineman: 19 tackles, four for loss, seven sacks.
Elijawah Tolbert, Hillcrest, senior, linebacker: 27 tackles, seven for loss, one interception. Committed to Eastern Illinois.
Jordan Tooles, Richards, sophomore, lineman: 56 tackles, six for loss, four sacks, two interceptions.
First Team Specialists Kaleb Brown, St. Rita, junior, athlete: Rushed for 537 yards, six TDs; 11 catches, 203 yards, two TDs.
Joshua Franklin, Crete- Monee, sophomore, return specialist: 172 yards, one TD on punt returns, 153 yards, one TD on kick returns. Also had 308 yards receiving, seven TDs and 194 yards rushing, two TDs.
Jesus Verduzco, Eisenhower, senior, kicker: 11 touchbacks on kickoffs; averaged 40 yards a punt; 13-for- 14 on extra points, 2-for-3 on field goals.
Second Team Offense Kevin Conway, Providence, senior, quarterback: Completed 64 of 99 passes for 906 yards and 10 TDs.
Rushed for 355 yards and five TDs on 50 carries.
Diego Esparza, Eisenhower, senior, lineman: Three-year starter anchored line for offense that exceeded expectations.
Mark Gbedo, Shepard, senior, lineman: Main reason offense scored more than 30 points in five games. Committed to Northern Illinois.
Darnell Jones, Homewood-Flossmoor, senior, receiver: 33 catches, 425 yards, two TDs.
Tajheem Lawson, Marian Catholic, senior, running back: 647 yards and six TDs on 83 carries. Committed to Northern Illinois.
Eric Nowak, Lincoln-Way West, junior, receiver: 20 catches, 520 yards, seven TDs.
Willie Shaw, Brother Rice, senior, running back: Rushed for 473 yards and five TDs on just 35 carries; eight catches, 65 yards, one TD.
Committed to Toledo.
Matt Simpson, Crete- Monee, senior, lineman: Three-year starter. Main cog on line as offense topped 200 points in five games.
Damaurius Stewart, St.
Laurence, senior, lineman: Returning starter provided excellent pass protection, mammoth holes for running game.
Jakai Washington, Hillcrest, senior, lineman: Helped offense eclipse 1,000 yards rushing. Added 32 tackles, five sacks.
Kendrick Washington, Shepard, senior, running back: Rushed for 556 yards and nine TDs on 54 carries.
Also had four interceptions.
Second Team Defense Ray Arebalo, Crete- Monee, senior, linebacker: 28 tackles, 17 for loss, four sacks.
Joe Fiorillo, Lockport, senior, linebacker: 63 tackles, eight for loss, one interception.
KJ Love, Brother Rice, senior, secondary: 29 tackles, one interception.
Demarco Mason, Bremen, junior, lineman: 57 tackles, six for loss, two sacks.
Will Orban, Lockport, senior, secondary: 37 tackles, two interceptions.
Thomas Panice, Andrew, senior, lineman: 44 tackles, five for loss, three sacks.
Triston Schultz, Marist, senior, lineman: 24 tackles, five for loss, three sacks.
Ernest Temple, T.F. South, junior, linebacker: 53 tackles, seven for loss, three interceptions, three sacks.
Michael Torres, Evergreen Park, junior, linebacker: 44 tackles, six for loss, two sacks.
Jabril Williams, Joliet Catholic, senior, secondary: 30 tackles, two interceptions, two sacks. Committed to Army.
Tyler Yates, Lemont, senior, lineman: 17 tackles, three for loss, two sacks.
Honorable Mention Jason Berger, Lemont, senior, defensive back; Cobi Boles, Reavis, senior, running back; Donnie Burton, Richards, sophomore, athlete; Johnny Dieck, Chicago Christian, senior, quarterback; Evan Draus, Shepard, senior, offensive lineman; Jack DuVall, Lincoln-Way Central, senior, defensive back; Brian Funk, Sandburg, senior, defensive back; Brayden Garrigan, Providence, junior, receiver; Jack Hawkinson, Lincoln- Way East, senior, defensive lineman; Dontrell Jackson Jr., Marist, junior, quarterback; Robert Jennings, Reavis, senior, linebacker; Nashon Johnson, Eisenhower, junior, quarterback; Evan King, Tinley Park, junior, quarterback; Jack Lausch, Brother Rice, junior, quarterback; Evan Lipinski, Shepard, senior, linebacker; Kenenna Odeluga, Mount Carmel, senior, linebacker; Chuckie Smith, Crete- Monee, senior, quarterback; Hunter Sperling, Chicago Christian, senior, offensive lineman; Justin Thomas, Homewood-Flossmoor, junior, defensive lineman; Max Tomczak, Lincoln-Way East, senior, receiver; Tommy Ulatowski, St. Rita, junior, quarterback; Aidan Voss, Joliet Catholic, junior, quarterback; Ryan Whelan, Brother Rice, senior, defensive line; Darius Wilson, St. Laurence, senior, quarterback; Evan Wydajewski, Lincoln-Way West, senior, quarterback.
—Pat Disabato
Pat Coogan, Marist, senior, lineman: Threeyear starter. Anchor for one of area’s most productive offenses. Committed to Notre Dame.
Michael Dobrich, Mount Carmel, senior, lineman: Key returning starter. Helped offense flourish on ground, in air. Committed to Truman State.
Valen Erickson, St. Rita, junior, lineman: Excellent technique, power. Has attracted multiple Division I programs.
Jameson Geers, Providence, senior, receiver: 23 catches, 309 yards, five TDs. Added 26 tackles, three sacks. Committed to Minnesota.
Mar’Keise Irving, Hillcrest, senior, running back: Two-time conference player of the year. Rushed for 762 yards and 13 TDs on just 64 carries. Committed to Minnesota.
Jamal Johnson, Lincoln- Way East, senior, running back: Rushed for 689 yards and six TDs on 117 carries.
Justin Lynch, Mount Carmel, senior, quarterback: Completed 83 of 138 passes for 1,059 yards and 11 TDs. Rushed for 288 yards and three TDs. Committed to Temple.
Ryan Stewart, Lincoln- Way East, senior, lineman: Anchored line as Griffins rushed for 1,061 yards, passed for 990 in undefeated season.
Bodie Turner, St. Rita, senior, lineman: Returning starter dominant in run, pass blocking. Committed to Illinois State.
Myles Walton, Homewood-Flossmoor, junior, receiver: 32 catches, 437 yards, four TDs.
First Team Defense Jett Ciucci, Lockport, senior, lineman: 31 tackles, three for loss, three sacks.
Michael Gaughan, St.
Rita, senior, linebacker: Area-leading 90 tackles, nine for loss, five sacks.
Myles Jones, Brother Rice, senior, linebacker: 43 tackles, six for loss, two sacks.
Matt Kordas, Lincoln-Way East, senior, secondary: 30 tackles, two interceptions.
Committed to Bowling Green.
Jovan Marsh, Marist, senior, secondary: 44 tackles, six for loss, one interception.
Committed to Wyoming. Payton Orth, Lincoln-Way East, senior, linebacker: 77 tackles, four for loss, one sack.
Kyle Shalati, Lincoln-Way Central, senior, lineman: 41 tackles, six for loss, two sacks.
Committed to Quincy Jalen Smith, Shepard, senior, secondary: 27 tackles, three interceptions, one for TD. Also had 14 catches, 204 yards, two TDs.
Pat Strocchia, Joliet Catholic, senior, lineman: 19 tackles, four for loss, seven sacks.
Elijawah Tolbert, Hillcrest, senior, linebacker: 27 tackles, seven for loss, one interception. Committed to Eastern Illinois.
Jordan Tooles, Richards, sophomore, lineman: 56 tackles, six for loss, four sacks, two interceptions.
First Team Specialists Kaleb Brown, St. Rita, junior, athlete: Rushed for 537 yards, six TDs; 11 catches, 203 yards, two TDs.
Joshua Franklin, Crete- Monee, sophomore, return specialist: 172 yards, one TD on punt returns, 153 yards, one TD on kick returns. Also had 308 yards receiving, seven TDs and 194 yards rushing, two TDs.
Jesus Verduzco, Eisenhower, senior, kicker: 11 touchbacks on kickoffs; averaged 40 yards a punt; 13-for- 14 on extra points, 2-for-3 on field goals.
Second Team Offense Kevin Conway, Providence, senior, quarterback: Completed 64 of 99 passes for 906 yards and 10 TDs.
Rushed for 355 yards and five TDs on 50 carries.
Diego Esparza, Eisenhower, senior, lineman: Three-year starter anchored line for offense that exceeded expectations.
Mark Gbedo, Shepard, senior, lineman: Main reason offense scored more than 30 points in five games. Committed to Northern Illinois.
Darnell Jones, Homewood-Flossmoor, senior, receiver: 33 catches, 425 yards, two TDs.
Tajheem Lawson, Marian Catholic, senior, running back: 647 yards and six TDs on 83 carries. Committed to Northern Illinois.
Eric Nowak, Lincoln-Way West, junior, receiver: 20 catches, 520 yards, seven TDs.
Willie Shaw, Brother Rice, senior, running back: Rushed for 473 yards and five TDs on just 35 carries; eight catches, 65 yards, one TD.
Committed to Toledo.
Matt Simpson, Crete- Monee, senior, lineman: Three-year starter. Main cog on line as offense topped 200 points in five games.
Damaurius Stewart, St.
Laurence, senior, lineman: Returning starter provided excellent pass protection, mammoth holes for running game.
Jakai Washington, Hillcrest, senior, lineman: Helped offense eclipse 1,000 yards rushing. Added 32 tackles, five sacks.
Kendrick Washington, Shepard, senior, running back: Rushed for 556 yards and nine TDs on 54 carries.
Also had four interceptions.
Second Team Defense Ray Arebalo, Crete- Monee, senior, linebacker: 28 tackles, 17 for loss, four sacks.
Joe Fiorillo, Lockport, senior, linebacker: 63 tackles, eight for loss, one interception.
KJ Love, Brother Rice, senior, secondary: 29 tackles, one interception.
Demarco Mason, Bremen, junior, lineman: 57 tackles, six for loss, two sacks.
Will Orban, Lockport, senior, secondary: 37 tackles, two interceptions.
Thomas Panice, Andrew, senior, lineman: 44 tackles, five for loss, three sacks.
Triston Schultz, Marist, senior, lineman: 24 tackles, five for loss, three sacks.
Ernest Temple, T.F. South, junior, linebacker: 53 tackles, seven for loss, three interceptions, three sacks.
Michael Torres, Evergreen Park, junior, linebacker: 44 tackles, six for loss, two sacks.
Jabril Williams, Joliet Catholic, senior, secondary: 30 tackles, two interceptions, two sacks. Committed to Army.
Tyler Yates, Lemont, senior, lineman: 17 tackles, three for loss, two sacks.
Honorable Mention Jason Berger, Lemont, senior, defensive back; Cobi Boles, Reavis, senior, running back; Donnie Burton, Richards, sophomore, athlete; Johnny Dieck, Chicago Christian, senior, quarterback; Evan Draus, Shepard, senior, offensive lineman; Jack DuVall, Lincoln-Way Central, senior, defensive back; Brian Funk, Sandburg, senior, defensive back; Brayden Garrigan, Providence, junior, receiver; Jack Hawkinson, Lincoln- Way East, senior, defensive lineman; Dontrell Jackson Jr., Marist, junior, quarterback; Robert Jennings, Reavis, senior, linebacker; Nashon Johnson, Eisenhower, junior, quarterback; Evan King, Tinley Park, junior, quarterback; Jack Lausch, Brother Rice, junior, quarterback; Evan Lipinski, Shepard, senior, linebacker; Kenenna Odeluga, Mount Carmel, senior, linebacker; Chuckie Smith, Crete- Monee, senior, quarterback; Hunter Sperling, Chicago Christian, senior, offensive lineman; Justin Thomas, Homewood-Flossmoor, junior, defensive lineman; Max Tomczak, Lincoln-Way East, senior, receiver; Tommy Ulatowski, St. Rita, junior, quarterback; Aidan Voss, Joliet Catholic, junior, quarterback; Ryan Whelan, Brother Rice, senior, defensive line; Darius Wilson, St. Laurence, senior, quarterback; Evan Wydajewski, Lincoln-Way West, senior, quarterback.
—Pat Disabato
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