With Danny Friend leading the way for this year's Morris Daily Herald All-Area team, the rest of the squad has filled out nicely. The way things are configured, there are 47 kids named this year. Some will be asked to play both ways, but with the depth the area teams have provided, that's not likely.
Morris leads the way with 18 picks and, considering that the Redskins made it all the way to the Class 5A title game, it's warranted. Coal City, the area's other playoff team, has 12 selections, Minooka, an 8A school, has 11, and 5-4 Seneca has five.
OFFENSE
Zach Cinnamon, Morris
Senior quarterback
An All-Northern Illinois Big 12 Conference selection, Cinnamon completed 57-of-97 passes for 987 yards and 12 TD. He also ran the ball 113 times for 526 yards and had 10 more TD on the ground.
Peyton Schrag, Seneca
Senior quarterback
Schrag finished his third season as the Fighting Irish quarterback this fall by throwing for 920 yards and eight touchdowns. He also ran for 184 yards and four more scores.
"Peyton is a three-year starter at quarterback and two-time I-8 All-Conference selection," Seneca coach Ted O'Boyle said. "Peyton is a superior student athlete who just finished a great football career at Seneca."
Brennen Shetina, Coal City
Junior quarterback
Shetina completed 62 passes for 816 yards and six TD. He added 300 yards rushing and five TD on the ground.
"Has done quite well this season running our offense from the QB position," Coal City coach Lenny Onsen said.
Reese Sobol, Morris
Senior running back
An All-NIB12 Conference halfback, Sobol ended the season with 1,532 yards in 187 carries. That produced 18 touchdowns. As a defensive back, Sobol had 27 tackles, deflected a pass and intercepted another.
Nate Gunn, Minooka
Sophomore running back
Gunn led the Indians in rushing by going for 509 yards in 81 carries.
"Was very productive after contact," Forsythe said. "Bright future as an Indian."
Bo Taylor, Seneca
Junior running back
Taylor was the team's leading rusher, grinding out 554 yards and 10 TD this fall.
"Bo had a great junior season for us and was second on the team in total tackles with 47," O'Boyle said.
Ryland Tondini, Coal City
Senior running back
Coal City's leading rusher had 828 yards and 11 TD this season.
"He was also our leading kick returner and punt returner this season with 373 yards and one TD," Onsen said. "He had over 1,200 all-purpose yards. Ryland has been our biggest offensive weapon all year."
Logan Pifer, Seneca
Senior running back
Pifer ran for 520 yards and three TD for the Irish this fall, and he also had a kick return for a touchdown in the game against Lisle.
"Logan was a two-way starter for us and was also our return man for punts and kickoffs," O'Boyle said. "Logan is a great athlete that was always given the job of covering the opponent's best receiver."
Collin Grogan, Morris
Senior fullback
Grogan was equally good as a fullback and a nose tackle. An All-NIB12 Conference pick, he ran for 489 yards and 12 TD in 79 carries while adding five receptions for 50 yards. Defensively, he had 53 tackles, including nine sacks. He also deflected a pass, forced four fumbles, had a fumble recovery and blocked two kicks.
T.J. Layne, Morris
Sophomore lineman
Layne stands 6-1, 210 from his right guard position. On defense, he had 11 tackles and recovered a fumble.
Blake King, Minooka
Senior lineman
King stands 6-4 and weighs 270 and was named All-Southwest Prairie Conference this fall. He will play at Northwestern after graduating.
"Was a two-year starter for us at tackle," Minooka coach Paul Forsythe said. "Was a big reason for any of the success we had on offense."
Preston Miracle, Morris
Senior lineman
Another All-NIB12 Conference pick, Miracle stands 6-0 and weighs 240. He was the center for the Redskins, and on defense he added 30 tackles with six sacks and one forced fumble. He was also the team's punter, where he averaged 34.4 yards over 36 boots.
Paul Stawraz, Minooka
Junior lineman
Stawraz stands 6-3 and weighs 280.
"Came on early and was very productive," Forsythe said. "Had an outstanding year for us. Great feet, big, physical."
Brian Henry, Morris
Junior lineman
Henry stands 6-4 and weighs 255 pounds.
Kenton Clayburn, Coal City
Senior lineman
A 5-11, 240-pound lineman, Clayburn had 53 tackles on defense.
"A three-year starter on our offensive line and a two-year starter on our defensive line," Onsen said.
Drew Aldrich, Morris
Senior lineman
Aldrich stands 6-3 and weighs 250 at his right tackle position.
Terry Blondin
Senior lineman
A 5-11, 195-pound lineman, he had 84 tackles on defense, which included six sacks and three tackles for a loss.
"He was our No. 1 offensive and defensive lineman this season," Onsen said. "A two-year starter on both the offensive and defensive lines and an I-8 All-Conference selection. Terry has done an outstanding job on both the offensive and defensive lines all season long, very consistent week in and week out."
Craig Claire, Morris
Senior lineman
Another All-NIB12 pick, Claire played left guard for the Redskins. He stands 5-11 and weighs 260. Defensively, he had 43 tackles, five sacks and two fumble recoveries.
Max Brozovich, Minooka
Senior tight end
Led the Indians in receptions with 22 for 330 yards, but he also ran the ball 51 times for 420 yards.
"Our most versatile player," Forsythe said. "Tried to get him touches as much as we could."
Austin Applebee, Seneca
Junior tight end
Applebee caught 24 passes for 299 yards and three TD for the Irish.
"Austin was our tight end as well as our kicker and punter," O'Boyle said. "He also had a 34.9 punting average and made two field goals, which one was a 37-yard game winner against Manteno."
Nick Peters, Coal City
Junior wide receiver
Peters had 13 catches for 271 yards and three TD.
"One of our leading receivers," Onsen said. "On defense at defensive end he had 32 tackles, four QB sacks and six tackles for loss."
Luke Stovall, Minooka
Senior wide receiver
Stovall caught 18 passes for 320 yards for the Indians this season.
"A two-year varsity starter for the Indians, he's fast and helped us stretch the field vertically," Forsythe said. "Has a great skill set as a wideout."
Lane Cowherd, Coal City
Junior wide receiver
Cowherd ended with 12 receptions and three TD for the Coalers.
"He also handled all of our placekicking duties, making 7-of-8 field goals and 30-of-36 extra points," Onsen said.
Anthonee Monson, Morris
Senior wide receiver
An All-NIB12 Conference pick, Monson ended with 20 receptions for 319 yards and two TD. As a defensive end, Monson had 49 tackles and four sacks while adding two interceptions and two fumble recoveries.
DEFENSE
Colton Manietta, Coal City
Senior lineman
He wound up with 64 tackles, which included two quarterback sacks and one for a loss, and also added two fumble recoveries.
"A two-year starter on defense at linebacker and on the defensive line," Onsen said. "An I-8 All-Conference selection."
Brad Wyss, Seneca
Junior lineman
Wyss stands 6-1 and weighs 210 pounds.
"Brad was our anchor in both the offensive and defensive lines. Brad was key in which way we were able to run the football," O'Boyle said. "He is a big, strong kid that we look forward to having back next season.
Dane Colvin, Minooka
Senior lineman
Colvin stands 5-11 and weighs 185 pounds. He was named All-SPC this fall.
"A two-year varsity starter for us who can play multiple positions," Forsythe said. "Very active on our defensive line this year."
Mason Soper, Morris
Senior lineman
The 6-4, 195-pound Soper had 46 tackles, which included seven sacks. He also forced a fumble and blocked a punt.
Mark Geers, Minooka
Junior lineman
Geers led the Indians in sacks with six.
"He helped solidify our defensive line this year," Forsythe said. "Played end in all nine games."
Erik Velasquez, Minooka
Junior lineman
Velasquez stands 5-11 and weighs 245.
"Strong and athletic. Tough to move," Forsythe said. "Was a force for us at DT and improved every week."
Nate Natyshok, Coal City
Senior linebacker
Natyshok totaled an even 100 tackles this fall (55 solo), including a sack, four tackles for a loss and two interceptions — one of which he returned for a touchdown.
"One of our defensive leaders ... One of this years captains," Onsen said. "He's a two-time I-8 All-Conference selection and a three-year varsity starter with a great work ethic on and off the football field."
Jeff Perry, Morris
Senior linebacker
An All-NIB12 Conference selection, Perry had 91 tackles this fall, including two sacks. He also had an interception, two pass deflections and a fumble recovery. He was also a running back who gained 679 yards in 90 carries and he scored seven times. In addition, he had six receptions for 95 yards and two more TD that way.
Mitch Vogrin, Minooka
Junior linebacker
Vogrin had 82 tackles to lead the Indians on defense this year.
"Our leader on defense," Forsythe said. "Was very active around the line of scrimmage and the offense's point of attack."
Josh Lincoln, Morris
Senior linebacker
Lincoln wound up with 61 tackles. He had two interceptions, a pass deflection, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
Koltin Powell, Coal City
Senior linebacker
Powell finished up with 72 total tackles, three of which were for a loss. He also added two interceptions and a fumble recovery.
"A 2-year starter at linebacker," Onsen said. "An I-8 All-Cconference selection, Koltin has had two excellent years for us on the defensive side."
Nik Countryman, Morris
Senior linebacker
An All-NIB12 Conference selection, Countryman had 95 tackles for the Redskins, including two sacks. He also had a pass deflection, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
Dylan Hakey, Coal City
Senior back
Hakey had 48 total tackles, which included a sack and three tackles for a loss. He also added two interceptions.
"A defensive leader ... a three-year starter at strong safety," Onsen said. "One of the players we could not afford to have off the field at any time. An I-8 All Conference selection."
Brad Rickard, Morris
Senior back
Rickard recorded 49 tackles and forced a fumble on defense. Offensively, he had three receptions for 41 yards.
Michael Czaja, Coal City
Senior back
Czaja finished the fall with 65 total tackles, which included a sack and a tackle for a loss. He added three fumble recoveries.
"He was part of our bookend corners ... A three-year starter at corner and a real shutdown corner versus run or pass," Onsen said. "A two-time I-8 All-Conference selection. I can't say enough good things about him or his bother other than they have been great additions to our program."
Corbett Oughton, Minooka
Senior back
Oughton had six interceptions to lead everyone in the area in that category this fall. Two of those were returned for a TD. He was named All-SPC.
"He led the team in pass break ups/passes defended," Forsythe said, "all this while only starting in our last six games."
Jake Czaja, Coal City
Senior back
Czaja ended up with 74 total tackles, four of which were for a loss. He also had a fumble recovery and an interception.
"The other of our bookend corners ... Also a three-year starter and a two-time I-8 All Conference selection," Onsen said. "Again, I can't say enough good things about Jake and how much he will be missed in our program."
Jake Hogan, Morris
Senior back
An All-NIB12 Conference pick, Hogan had 54 tackles and two interceptions for the Redskins. He also contributed five pass deflections, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. As an offensive player, Hogan had two carries for eight yards and four receptions for 123 yards and two TD.
Colin Anderson, Coal City
Senior defensive back
A free safety, Anderson had 37 tackles
"A two-year varsity starter ... Colin was an excellent pass defender and run stopper during the season," Onsen said. "He also did a very fine job on special teams throughout the season."
Mike McNelis, Morris
Senior back
McNelis had 48 tackles, including a sack, for the Redskins. He also delivered three interceptions, five pass deflections and two fumble recoveries.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Jake Stytz, Minooka
Junior kicker
Stytz led the Indians in scoring with 59 points and made 13-of-14 field goals attempted. He was named All-SPC.
"Great leg, a weapon in our kicking game," Forsythe said.
Fernando Del Toro, Morris
Senior kicker
Del Toro made three of his five field goals attempted this fall and was 50-of-52 on PAT kicks.
Kyle Hill, Morris
Junior returner
Hill returned both punts and kicks for the Redskins. Had 16 punt returns for 184 yards and six kickoff returns for 56 yards.
