Naperville Central, which reached the Class 8A state semifinals, has nine players on the first team.
FIRST-TEAM OFFENSE
Jacob Bell, Naperville North, senior, quarterback: Completed 250 of 396 passes for 3,075 yards and 38 TDs with seven interceptions. Also had six rushing TDs. All-conference and all-state. Committed to Ball State.
Aiden Clark, Naperville Central, senior, running back: Rushed for 1,318 yards and 14 TDs on 245 carries for Class 8A state semifinalist. Also had 22 catches for 176 yards and one TD. Conference offensive player of the year.
Luke Doyle, Benet, junior, wide receiver: Made 53 catches for 1,035 yards and nine TDs. Also had a kickoff return for a TD. All-conference.
Gavin Ellison, Naperville Central, junior, kicker: Made nine field goals for Class 8A state semifinalist, including game-winner against Naperville North. Made 4 of 4 in the playoffs, including two 49-yarders.
Will Erbeck, Naperville Central, senior, offensive lineman: Led Class 8A state semifinalist in pancake blocks. All-conference.
Daniel Jurjovec, Naperville North, senior, offensive lineman: Led line that gave up 18 sacks for offense that averaged 36 points. All-conference.
Ryan Mascari, Neuqua Valley, senior, offensive lineman: Two-way standout was a team captain this season. All-conference.
Quinn Morris, Naperville North, senior, wide receiver: Made 57 catches for 906 yards and 15 TDs. All-conference.
Brock Pettaway, Naperville North, senior, wide receiver: Made 59 catches for 762 yards and 10 TDs. Also threw a 63-yard TD pass. All-conference.
Stefan Popov, Waubonsie Valley, senior, offensive lineman: Two-way standout had 25 tackles and three sacks on defense. All-conference.
Connor Sands, Naperville Central, senior, offensive lineman: Anchored line for Class 8A state semifinalist. All-conference.
Chrisjan Simmons, Waubonsie Valley, senior, running back: Rushed for 1,066 yards and 15 TDs on 144 carries. Also had 12 catches for 145 yards and two TDs. All-conference.
FIRST-TEAM DEFENSE
Seth Gilliland, Waubonsie Valley, senior, linebacker: Had 51 tackles, including five for loss, and four hurries. All-conference.
Gabriel Hill, Naperville North, junior, defensive lineman: Had 66 tackles, including 26 for loss and nine sacks, with 10 hurries, a forced fumble and a blocked kick. All-conference.
Troy Kashul, Naperville Central, senior, defensive lineman: Two-way standout had 52 tackles, including three for loss and seven sacks, with eight hurries for Class 8A state semifinalist. All-conference.
Zach Mally, Naperville North, senior, defensive back: Had 77 tackles, including 61 solos, with 11 pass breakups and five interceptions. All-conference.
Garrett Nichols, Naperville Central, senior, defensive back: Had 65 tackles, seven pass breakups, two interceptions and a forced fumble for Class 8A state semifinalist. Also had 285 receiving yards and three TDs. All-conference and all-state honorable mention. Committed to Brown.
Brandon Noe, Metea Valley, senior, linebacker: Had 95 tackles, including 70 solos, 10 for loss and three sacks. All-conference.
Daniel Nussbaum, Naperville Central, senior, linebacker: Had 96 tackles, including four for loss, with six pass breakups, three interceptions and two fumble recoveries for Class 8A state semifinalist. All-conference.
Owen Roberts, Waubonsie Valley, senior, defensive back: Two-way standout had 66 tackles, including six for loss, with four pass breakups, three interceptions and two fumble recoveries. All-conference.
Jake Stanish, Naperville Central, defensive lineman: Had 43 tackles, including nine for loss and 10 sacks, with 10 hurries, three fumble recoveries, a fumble return for a TD, a forced fumble and a blocked kick for Class 8A state semifinalist. All-conference and all-state. Committed to Vanderbilt.
Gavin Wade, Naperville Central, senior, defensive back: Had 47 tackles and five pass breakups and returned an interception for a TD for Class 8A state semifinalist.
Declan Walsh, Benet, senior, defensive lineman: Had seven tackles for loss and four sacks. All-conference. Committed to St. Thomas.
HONORABLE MENTION
- Sean Anshel, Neuqua Valley, senior, defensive back
- Finn Bretag, Naperville North, junior, tight end
- Patrick Cassidy, Waubonsie Valley, senior, offensive lineman
- Daniel Conway, Naperville Central, senior, offensive lineman
- Ryan Downey, Naperville Central, senior, tight end
- Ethan Engler, Neuqua Valley, senior, linebacker
- Jason Figg, Naperville Central, senior, defensive lineman
- Sebastian Hayes, Naperville Central, senior, quarterback
- Donavan Howard, Naperville North, senior, defensive lineman
- Ryan Kubacki Jr., Benet, senior, quarterback
- Dylan Liner, Metea Valley, junior, wide receiver
- Edward Mumford, Naperville North, senior, linebacker
- Aaron Nussbaum, Naperville Central, senior, linebacker
- Tyus Payne, Waubonsie Valley, senior, defensive lineman
- Paul Peradotti, Naperville Central, junior, linebacker
- Martin Radgowski, Benet, senior, running back
- Joe Rodi, Benet, senior, defensive lineman
- Liam Rooney, Benet, senior, defensive lineman
- Austin Roush, Naperville North, senior, offensive lineman
- Dominic Smith, Metea Valley, senior, wide receiver
- Chico Thomas, Naperville North, senior, wide receiver
- Joshua Tinney, Waubonsie Valley, senior, wide receiver/defensive back
- William Tracy, Waubonsie Valley, junior, linebacker
- DeShaun Williams, Naperville Central, senior, wide receiver
- Nick Zbylut, Naperville Central, senior, defensive back
Matt Le Cren is a freelance reporter.
