First Team Offense
Trevor Campbell, Naperville Central, senior, offensive lineman: A repeat all-area selection, the 6-foot-5, 280-pound Campbell played all three line positions. Named the DuPage Valley Conference Most Outstanding Lineman. Campbell, a three-year varsity player, is committed to Western Michigan.
Daniel Dominiak, Waubonsie Valley, senior, offensive lineman: Two-year starter also saw time at defensive tackle. A 6-1, 290-pound left tackle, Dominiak was an all-conference selection and led a line that helped the Warrior offense gain 3,200 yards.
Nathan Gray, Naperville North, senior, offensive lineman: The 6-foot, 250-pound center was an All-State pick and an all-conference selection. Gray helped pave the way as Huskies gained 3,695 yards.
Evan Hecimovich, Naperville North, senior, offensive lineman: The 6-3, 260-pound left tackle was an all-conference selection and an academic All-State pick for conference co-champions. Committed to play at Dartmouth.
Ben Loutsis, Metea Valley, senior, wide receiver: Two-year starter and all-conference selection led Mustangs in receptions for second straight season. Loutsis caught 40 passes for 545 yards and six touchdowns.
Donny Navarro, Neuqua Valley, senior, wide receiver: Unanimous all-conference selection had breakout season for conference co-champs. Navarro caught 45 passes for 677 yards and four TDs. Navarro had program-record 10 catches against Naperville Central. Has offer from Valparaiso.
Chuck Robinson, Waubonsie Valley, junior, tight end: Repeat all-area selection, Robinson caught 35 passes for 671 yards and eight TDs and made 32 tackles defensively. All-State pick set single-game school records with 214 receiving yards and four TDs in first-round playoff win.
Jake Zeiler, Neuqua Valley, senior, offensive lineman: Three-year varsity player was a unanimous all-conference pick for the conference co-champions. The 6-4, 290-pound Zeiler helped clear way as Neuqua gained 3,141 yards.
Jack Sznajder, Benet, senior, quarterback: Three-year starter led Redwings to Class 7A semifinals. All-conference selection threw for 2,287 yards and 21 TDs. Passed for season-high 296 yards in quarterfinals vs. Rolling Meadows.
Alonzo Taylor-Jones, Metea Valley, senior, running back: A 5-6, 165-pound pinball of a back. All-conference selection emerged as Mustang workhorse, rushing for 1,105 yards and six TDs. He delivered career-high 263 yards and three TDs in win at Lincoln-Way Central.
Eric Wright, Naperville North, senior, running back: Unanimous all-conference selection for conference co-champs, Wright was half of dynamite backfield combo with Cross Robinson. Wright ran for 1,021 yards and 10 TDs.
First Team Defense
Tommy Ciesla, Neuqua Valley, senior, defensive lineman: The 6-3, 245-pound defensive end was named the DuPage Valley Conference Most Outstanding Defensive Lineman. Ciesla had 52 tackles, 11 for loss, and three sacks. Ciesla scored a TD at fullback in first-round playoff game.
John D’Angelo, Benet, senior, defensive lineman: Committed to Air Force for lacrosse, the 6-4, 217-pound D’Angelo led a talented, albeit undersized Redwing line. All-conference pick had 58 tackles, 16 of them for loss, with 8.5 sacks and 12 hurries.
Grant Ericksen, Naperville North, senior, defensive back: Free safety was honorable mention All-State and two-time all-conference selection for Huskies. Ericksen intercepted seven passes, broke up nine, and had 49 tackles for conference co-champs.
Anthony Ippolito, Neuqua Valley, senior, linebacker: All-conference selection for conference co-champs, Ippolito led Wildcats in tackles for second straight season with 89. Three-year starter also ran for two TDs in spot duty on offense.
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Jake Julian, Waubonsie Valley, senior, defensive lineman: Undersized 5-8, 170-pound nose guard was huge for Warriors. Two-year starter was an all-conference selection. Led Waubonsie in sacks (nine) and tackles for loss (13). Also had 67 tackles.
Alec McEachern, Benet, senior, defensive back: Repeat all-area selection and two-year starting safety. All-conference pick had 106 tackles, with 15 for loss, and five interceptions. Added 341 yards rushing/receiving and six TDs on offense. Has offers from Air Force and Dayton.
Danny O’Malley, Benet, senior, defensive back: The MVP of a defense that peaked in the playoffs, O’Malley had two of his four interceptions in quarterfinal win over Rolling Meadows. All-conference pick made 96 tackles, broke up five passes and blocked a punt.
Devin Petersen, Benet, junior, linebacker: All-conference pick was huge part of defense that shut out Rolling Meadows in 7A quarterfinals. Petersen led Benet with 152 tackles (40 solos) and 16 tackles for loss and had 3.5 sacks.
Jon Rhattigan, Neuqua Valley, senior, linebacker: The third brother to star at Neuqua, Rhattigan was All-State pick, unanimous all-conference selection and the Naperville Sun 2016 Football Player of the Year. Middle linebacker had 79 tackles, one sack, one interception and one forced fumble. Princeton and Army among seven college offers.
Isaiah Robertson, Neuqua Valley, senior, defensive back: Notre Dame recruit and repeat all-area selection had 50 tackles, two fumble recoveries and an interception. Honorable mention All-State pick and two-way starter also caught 29 passes for 380 yards and four TDs.
Connor Yukna, Waubonsie Valley, senior, defensive back: Repeat all-area selection and three-year starting safety recorded a team-high 151 tackles and 11 pass break-ups. Academic All-State selection had 17 tackles against both Wheaton North and Lake Park.
Honorable Mention
Joe Backe, Neuqua Valley, senior, offensive line; Nick Calcagno, Naperville North, senior, wide receiver; Ben Cooney, Benet, junior, defensive back; AJ Deinhart, Naperville Central, junior, running back; Josh Dominiak, Waubonsie Valley, junor, linebacker; Marty Dosen, Benet, senior, running back; Bryce Effner, Metea Valley, junior, offensive line; Troy Hudetz, Naperville Central, senior, linebacker; Cole Jacobs, Naperville North, senior, defensive line; Erik Jones, Benet, senior, defensive back; Ryan Marrano, Naperville North, junior, linebacker; Mitch Reyes, Metea Valley, senior, defensive line; Cross Robinson, Naperville North, senior, running back; Kyle Schroeder, Waubonsie Valley, junior, linebacker; Laddie Skarecky, Naperville Central, senior, linebacker; Payton Thorne, Metea Valley, sophomore, quarterback; Luke Turner, Naperville Central, senior, defensive back; Isaac Velasco, Naperville North, senior, defensive line; Tanner Westwood, Waubonsie Valley, junior, quarterback.