2008 Northwest Herald All-Area Football Team

Player of the Year: Jordan Neukirch, Huntley, Sr., FB-LB

Coach of the Year: Jim Stuglis, Crystal Lake South

First Team

Offense

Drew Ormseth, QB, Crystal Lake South, Soph.

The 5-10, 160-pound sophomore directed the offense of the Class 7A state semifinal playoff team, throwing for 1,374 yards and 16 touchdowns, with 13 interceptions.

Jordan Neukirch, RB, Huntley, Sr.

Neukirch (6-2,  225) led the area in rushing (1,725) by more than 500 yards and scored 21 touchdowns. He also was a standout at linebacker on defense and committed to Illinois State before the season. He was an Illinois High School Football Coaches Association Class 6A All-Stater.

Eric Chandler, RB, Cary-Grove, Jr.

Chandler (5-9, 183) rushed for 1,208 yards (second in the area) and 16 touchdowns as the Trojans won their fifth consecutive Fox Valley Conference or FVC Valley Division title.

C.J. Fiedorowicz, WR, Johnsburg, Jr.

Fiedorowicz (6-7, 235) caught 49 passes and led the area in receiving yardage (809) and touchdowns (11). He will be one of the top-recruited players in the state’s junior class and is a repeat first team selection.

Bo Price, WR, Hampshire, Sr.

Price (5-10, 165) was one of the most explosive players in the area, catching 29 passes for 610 yards (a 21.0 average per catch) and seven touchdowns. The Whip-Purs won the Big Northern Conference East Division title.

Vince Benedetto, TE, Crystal Lake South, Sr.

Benedetto (6-3,  210) caught 14 passes, three of which went for touchdowns, and was considered by coach Jim Stuglis as one of the team’s MVPs and an inspirational leader.

Cody O’Neill, OL, Marian Central, Sr.

O’Neill (6-4, 285) was a two-way standout on the lines for Marian Central and is being looked at by several NCAA Division I schools. He was selected to the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association Class 5A All-State team and is a repeat first-team All-Area pick.

Brandon Coleman, OL, Cary-Grove, Sr.

Coleman (6-4, 212) played on the Trojans’ outstanding defense, but also played on the offensive line. C-G coach Bruce Kay thought Coleman was the team’s best lineman when he played on the offense.

Jason Adams, OL, Huntley, Sr.

Adams (6-3, 285) was one of the big guys paving the way for Neukirch and the other backs. Huntley had three runners with more than 600 yards and tied for the FVC Fox Division championship.

Ryan Kuhn, OL, Crystal Lake South, Sr.

Kuhn (6-0, 255) played on both lines for the Gators, who advanced to the Class 7A state semifinals. He was one of the team leaders as South finished 10-3 and made its third semifinal appearance in school history.

J.J. Bobrowicz, OL, Crystal Lake Central, Sr.

Bobrowicz (6-3, 215) was a standout on defense, but also was one of the Tigers’ best offensive lineman. The Tigers had a strong running game with backs Anthony Niemo and Adam Smyth both topping 800 yards.

Marcus Kerrigan, K, Cary-Grove, Sr.

Kerrigan tied a state record with his first two field goals of the year, which gave in 10 consecutive attempts without a miss. The ninth of the streak was a 51-yarder. Kerrigan finished 5-of-10 on field goals and was 33-of-36 on extra points. He is an All-Area first team repeater.

Defense

Kyle Wismer, DL, Richmond-Burton, Jr.

Wismer (6-2, 195) was a terror on defense all season, but reached a different level in the playoffs when he registered 12 sacks in four games. R-B advanced to the Class 4A playoff semifinals.

Parker Woodall, DL, Woodstock, Sr.

Woodall (6-4, 305) was an anchor in the line for one of the area’s top defenses. Opponents often had a rough time running against the Blue Streaks, who allowed 10.2 points a game, and Woodall was a big reason why.

Tyler O’Brien, DL, Cary-Grove, Sr.

O’Brien (6-2, 205) was one of the leaders on a defense which allowed only 99 points in 12 games. He was selected to the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association Class 7A All-State team.

Brad Young, LB, Prairie Ridge, Sr.

Young (6-1, 210) was one of the area’s most tenacious defenders until he suffered a sprained ankle in Week 8 at Huntley. Young had 56 tackles, 12 for losses and missed most of two games late in the season. He was the Wolves’ defensive MVP.

Rob Mago, LB, Cary-Grove, Sr.

Mago (5-9, 167) moved from safety to linebacker this season and  was one of the Trojans’ best defenders. C-G again set the area standard for defense, allowing 99 points in 12 games.

J.D. Barchard, LB, Crystal Lake South, Jr.

Barchard (6-2, 200) was a big contributor in at middle linebacker for the Gators in their new 3-3-5 alingment this season. He had 74 tackles, nine tackles-for-losses and forced four fumbles.

Jake Underwood, LB, Cary-Grove, Sr.

Underwood (6-1, 177) was another one of the Trojans’ fleet linebackers who made them so difficult to contend with. No C-G opponent scored in double digits in regulation over the last eight games.

Matt Nelsen, DB, Cary-Grove, Sr.

Nelsen (6-0, 170) again was one of the area’s top cornerbacks. Last season he picked off nine passes; this year he had six interceptions for the Trojans. He is a repeat All-Area first team selection.

Will Mack, DB, Prairie Ridge, Sr.

Mack (6-0, 180) was the Wolves’ team MVP and one of the area’s big-time defensive playmakers. He had six interceptions and also was one of the area’s top return men on punts and kickoffs.

Thomas Wilson, DB, Woodstock, Sr.

Wilson (5-11, 170) was a big-play person for the Blue Streaks on defense, with returns and as a receiver (20 catches, six touchdowns). He demonstrated his impact with three touchdowns (two receiving, one return) in a 24-7 victory over Prairie Ridge.

Michael Frericks, DB, Crystal Lake South, Sr.

Frericks (6-1, 180) flourished in South’s new 3-3-5 defense with 72 tackles, five interceptions, 12 pass breakups and three forced fumbles. South’s defense allowed only one touchdown in its second- and third-round playoff games.

Chad O’Kane, P, Richmond-Burton, Jr.

O’Kane had a big leg for the Rockets, averaging 41 yards a punt as R-B advanced to the Class 4A state playoff semifinals. O’Kane was named punter for the All-Big Northern Conference East Division team and played a big part with his booming kicks in R-B’s run.

Second Team

Offense

Bryan Bradshaw, QB, Prairie Ridge, Sr.

Kevin Keener, RB, Prairie Ridge, Sr.

Anthony Niemo, RB, Crystal Lake Central, Sr.

Jeff Potts, WR, Johnsburg, Sr.

Adam Olson, WR, Marian Central, Sr.

Justin Squillo, TE, Grayslake Central, Sr.

Bradley Jacobs, OL, Richmond-Burton, Jr.

Hayden Baker, OL, Cary-Grove, Jr.

Joe Carmody, OL, Crystal Lake South, Sr.

Kevin McCowan, OL, Cary-Grove, Sr.

Eric Wodek, OL, Prairie Ridge, Sr.

Thomas Kinney, K, Johnsburg

Defense

Jake Kearns, DL, Huntley, Sr.

Evan Van Klei, DL, Crystal Lake Central, Sr.

Phillip Towne, DL, Harvard, Sr.

Kyle Sahs, LB, Woodstock, Sr.

Graham Olson, LB, McHenry, Sr.

Pat Wenzel, LB, Marian Central, Sr.

Dusty Binz, LB, Harvard

Chad McCarron, DB, Cary-Grove, Jr.

James Goebbert, DB, Hampshire, Sr.

Harrison Daniels, DB, RIchmond-Burton, Sr.

Zach Siegmeier, DB, Crystal Lake Central, Sr.

Steve Drain, P, Prairie Ridge, Sr.

Honorable Mention

Scott Baumbich, DL, Jacobs, Sr.

Jacob Behrens, OL, Richmond-Burton, Sr.

Kyle Bergquist, OL, McHenry, Sr.

Tyler Brady, DL, Johnsburg, Sr.

Evan Brenner, QB, Hampshire, Sr.

Derek Brown, QB, Woodstock, Sr.

Todd Budy, RB, Prairie Ridge, Sr.

Mike Canevello, WR-DB, McHenry, Sr.

David Conrad, RB-LB, Huntley, Sr.

Peter Crocco, OL, Alden-Hebron, Sr.

Scott Donley, QB-DB, Marengo, Sr.

Miguel Flores, OL-DL, Harvard, Sr.

Angelo Gargano, OL, Grayslake Central, Jr.

Bobby Gaines, RB, Marengo, Soph.

Ryan Gaines, FB-DL, Marengo, Sr.

Tyler Gillaspie, DE, Woodstock, Sr.

Kevin Green, OL, Marian Central, Sr.

Jake Gricar, RB, Alden-Hebron, Sr.

Jerad Grundy, QB, Johnsburg, Sr.

Alex Hembrey, RB, Cary-Grove, Jr.

Brandon Huckabone, LB, Jacobs, Sr.

Brett Kleckner, RB-LB, Huntley, Jr.

Jake Kleven, LB, Alden-Hebron, Jr.

Logan Kissack, QB, Dundee-Crown, Sr.

Tyler Krebs, QB, Cary-Grove, Jr.

Mike Kremske, WR, Woodstock, Jr.

Josh Kuthe, OL, McHenry, Sr.

Jon Lesniak, DE, McHenry, Sr.

Sam Madsen, RB, Alden-Hebron, Sr.

Colin Masterson, RB, Crystal Lake South, Jr.

J.J. McDougall, OL, Huntley, Sr.

Eli McGuire, WR-DB, Marian Central, Jr.

Joe Moore, FB, Hampshire, Sr.

Derek Mortensen, FB, Crystal Lake South, Sr.

Anthony Muir, OL, Grayslake North, Sr.

Kevin O’Rourke, QB, Grayslake Central, Sr.

Trevor Parlberg, LB, Crystal Lake Central, Sr.

Marcus Popenfoose, TE-LB, Huntley, Jr.

Kenny Riordan, FB, RIchmond-Burton, Jr.

Justin Russell, RB-DB, Richmond-Burton, Jr.

Ian Salvatini, RB-DB, Dundee-Crown, Sr.

Ross Sauer, S, Grayslake North, Jr.

Zach Shannon, WR-DB, Woodstock, Sr.

Adam Smyth, FB, Crystal Lake Central, Jr.

Andy Stochl, QB-DB, Marian Central, Sr.

Adam Szudarski, WR-DB, Marian Central, Jr.

Ryan Szudarski, WR-DB, Marian Central, Jr.

Justin Walden, OL-DL, Dundee-Crown, Sr.

– Compiled by Joe Stevenson, the Northwest Herald