1. sports
2. football

P24
Saturday, January 17, 2015
THE STATE JOURNAL-REGISTER
SJ-R ALL-AREA FOOTBALL TEAM
OFFENSE
CENTER
ROBERT
LAWLEY
Williamsville
Senior/5-11,
205
Every Williamsville play
began with the reliable
Lawley the past two seasons. Often snapping to
quarterback Luke Bleyer in
the shotgun, Lawley was
97-percent accurate on
those snaps for plays that
rolled up 2,171 yards on
the ground and 2,361
through the year. Firstteam All-Sangamo
Conference center.
TACKLE
THOMAS
SNYDER
Taylorville
Senior/6-2,
280
Snyder was the Tornadoes'
only two-way starter much
of the season, with his
strength and durability giving Taylorville a continuous
presence on both sides of
the line. While helping pave
the way for an offense that
rushed for 2,926 yards
and passed for 1,300
more, Snyder also was No.
5 on the team in tackles
(78) with four sacks and
three fumble recoveries.
Unanimous All-Apollo
Conference offensive line
and defensive line.
TACKLE
SCOTT
McDERMAND
Auburn
Senior/6-3,
210
A three-year
starter on
offense for
the Trojans,
McDermand was considered the most consistent
lineman on both sides of
the ball by coach Dave
Bates. McDermand also
started at defensive tackle
for two yars, including this
season when he had 38
solo tackles, five sacks and
five tackles for loss. Firstteam All-Sangamo
Conference offensive tackle; unanimous AllSangamo defensive line.
GUARD
ALEC
DAYKIN
Williamsville
Senior/6-1,
295
Excelling on
both sides of the line,
Daykin was a three-year
starter at guard, where he
was deceivingly mobile
given his size. A key building block in the Bullets'
attack, Daykin also was a
strong performer on the
defensive line. He was in
on 72 tackles and had five
sacks. IHSFCA Class 3A
all-state; first-team AllSangamo Conference
guard and defensive tackle.
GUARD
MICHAEL
SPRADLIN
New Berlin
Senior/5-11,
220
Spradlin was
a major contributor on
both sides of
the ball during the
Pretzels' memorable season. While blocking for an
attack that rolled up 3,362
yards, Spradlin also led
New Berlin in solo (60)
and total (131) tackles
from his linebacker spot,
including 12 tackles for
loss. He also had two
sacks and two fumble
recoveries. First-team AllSangamo Conference
guard and linebacker.
TIGHT END
COOPER
EAKER
Auburn
Senior/6-4,
180
Eaker, the AllArea tight end for the second straight year, was a
talented blocker and reli-
able receiver for the
Trojans as they went 9-3
and reached the Class 3A
quarterfinals. He had 18
catches for 229 yards this
season, and his size
allowed him to step in at
defensive end occasionally. First-team All-Sangamo
Conference tight end.
Cole Courson was lost to a
knee injury in Week Five,
Daykin finished with 40
catches for a 807 yards
and eight touchdowns. He
broke the school yardage
record held by Damon
Piper since 1988. Firstteam Sangamo
Conference wide receiver.
QUARTERBACK
KICKER
JAKE
HUNT
BRANDON
MOODY
New Berlin
Senior/6-0,
185
Hunt reached
a new level this season in
helping lead the Pretzels
to an 8-3 finish and first
playoff victory since 2004
when he threw for three
touchdowns and ran for
three more in a 42-28
Class 3A win at Decatur
St. Teresa. The trigger man
in the Pretzels' aerial
attack, he was 193-for-336
for a school-record and
area-leading 2,437 yards
and 26 touchdowns. He
also rushed for 397 yards
and 11 touchdowns. Firstteam All-Sangamo
Conference quarterback.
Taylorville
Senior/5-10,
150
Moody gave
the
Tornadoes
and extra
weapon as they marched
to a conference co-championship, first-ever playoff
quarterfinal berth and 10-2
finish. He was 38-for-44 on
extra points and 5-for-5 on
field-goal attempts. His
longest field goal covered
37 yards. Also handled
kickoffs. Received Apollo
honorable mention as the
league does not select an
all-conference kicker.
RUNNING BACK
CHRIS
BASSO
Athens
Senior/5-9,
225
Basso was a
workhorse fullback for the
Warriors, who went 8-4
and reached the third
round of the playoffs for
the first time. He averaged
22 carries per game, but
the including a Class 2A
playoff-record 52 times for
227 yards in Athens' 28-20
second-round win over
Carthage Illini West. Basso
finished with 1,417 yards
rushing for a 5.3 average
per carry, and his 22
touchdowns tied a school
record. Unanimous AllSangamo Conference fullback.
RUNNING BACK
KINNEY
MYLES
Carlinville
Senior/6-1,
215
The Cavaliers
went to more of a run-pass
mix this season, but fastand-physical Myles
remained the key man in
the attack as Carlinville
went 9-2 and took second
in the South Central
Conference. He rushed for
1,506 yards (8.1 per carry)
and 27 touchdowns — plus
one receiving TD for good
measure. It gave him 3,188
yards and 45 rushing TDs
the past two seasons.
First-team All-South
Central Conference running back.
WIDE RECEIVER
CHASE
CREVISTON
New Berlin
Senior/5-10,
175
The All-Area
Honorary
Captain was
in the thick of
things primarily on offense
but also defense. He set
single-season school
records with 64 catches
and 750 yards with 13 TD
receptions. Creviston also
had five interceptions at
defensive back, returning
two for scores. His 170
career catches rank 15th
on the state list. IHSFCA
Class 3A All-State;
Champaign-Urbana NewsGazette All-State Special
Mention 100; unanimous
All-Sangamo Conference
wide receiver.
WIDE RECEIVER
FLEX PLAYER
WYATT
ROYCE
Niantic
Sangamon
Valley sophomore/5-6,
130
Primarily a running back
for the Storm, Royce
became a multiple threat
for a team that returned to
the playoffs for the first
time since 2007. He
rushed for 628 yards and
scored six touchdowns
while catching 22 passes
for 370 yards and three
scores. He's the first to
lead the Storm in both
rushing and receiving
yards in the same season.
Royce also returned kicks
and punts. First-team
Little Okaw Valley
Conference Northwest
Division running back.
■❑■
SECOND-TEAM
OFFENSE
Center — Elliott Hogge, 63, 240 Sr., Taylorville
Tackles — Nathan Raleigh,
6-3, 243 Sr., Pawnee; Ty
Summer, 6-1, 220 Sr.,
Niantic Sangamon Valley
Guards — Brad Hall, 6-0,
210 Sr., Athens; Broedy
Long, 6-0, 230 Jr.,
Carlinville
Tight end — Logan
McBride, 6-1, 215 Jr.,
Pleasant Plains
Quarterback — Tanner
Champley, 6-1, 185 Sr.,
Taylorville
Running backs — Gannon
Lanier, 5-10, 185 Sr.,
Pleasant Plains; Gavin
Twitty, 5-10, 170 Sr.,
Hillsboro
Wide receivers — Cam
Cummings, 5-11, 160 Jr.,
New Berlin; Drew Points,
5-7, 134 Jr., Auburn
Kicker — Adam Clark, 5-6,
160 Soph., Williamsville
Flex — Vince Vignali, 6-0,
180 Jr., Williamsville
DEFENSE
LINEMAN
DOUGLAS
KEISER
Nokomis
Senior/6-0,
265
Keiser
showed he
could move
for a big man,
logging 92 tackles with a
school-record 29 tackles
for loss, 11.5 sacks and two
fumble recoveries. He was
a three-year starter on the
offensive and defensive
lines, with Nokomis reaching the playoffs all three
years (and four straight
overall). Prairie State
Conference Most Valuable
Defensive Player.
DANIEL
DAYKIN
LINEMAN
Williamsville
Senior/5-9,
155
On a team
blessed with athletic players, Daykin was the
Bullets' chief deep-ball
threat as they went 13-1
and reached the state title
game for the first time.
After taking an even bigger
role after fellow senior
Williamsville
Senior/6-2,
240
A three-year
starter on
defense,
Perrine
anchored the Bullets'
strong-side defensive end
position as the Class 3A
RILEY PERRINE
state runners-up continued to shut down most
opponents. Perrine was in
on 59 tackles, inclding 7.5
sacks and five other tackles for loss. Known for his
strong work ethic, Perrine
also was solid at offensive
tackle. Unanimous AllSangamo Conference
defensive end and firstteam all-conference offensive tackle.
LINEMAN
JACOB
SCHURMAN
Athens
Senior/6-2,
215
A first-team
pick for the
second
straight year,
Schurman handled the
move from linebacker to
defensive end. A
Greenview student who
played for Athens' co-op,
he led the Warriors in total
tackles (65), including 32
solos. Also had four sacks
and four tackles for loss.
Also a starting tight end,
he was considered one of
his team's best blockers.
Versatility earned him
team MVP honors. Firstteam All-Sangamo
Conference defensive end
and tight end.
LINEBACKER
TYLER
BROWN
Auburn
Senior/5-10,
158
Brown
earned his second straight
All-Area spot as a top performer at linebacker. One
of the leaders of an experienced Auburn defense,
Brown chalked up 72 solo
tackles including seven for
loss and one sack. He also
had 83 assists. IHSFCA
Class 3A All-State; unanimous All-Sangamo
Conference outside linebacker.
LINEBACKER
NICK
COX
Williamsville
Senior/5-10,
197
In his second
year starting at inside linebacker, Cox was "always
around the football"
according to coach Aaron
Kunz. His nose for the ball
was reflected in 112 total
tackles, five tackels for
loss, two interceptions and
two fumble recoveries. Cox
also was a two-year starter
at offensive guard. IHSFCA
Class 3A All-State;
Champaign-Urbana NewsGazette All-State Special
Mention 100, unanimous
All-Sangamo Conference
inside linebacker.
LINEBACKER
BRETT
LANGEN
Taylorville
Junior/6-0,
205
Langen was a
vital part of a Taylorville
defense that posted three
shutouts and held five
other oppoents to two or
fewer touchdowns. He had
54 solo tackles and a
team-high 122 overall
tackles, including a teambest 18 for loss. Also had
two interceptions. Firstteam All-Apollo
Conference linebacker.
LINEBACKER
BLAKE SUHLING
Riverton
Senior/6-3,
215
Suhling was
rarely off the
field for the
Hawks, starting on offense, defense
and special teams. He led
Riverton with 75 solo tackles and 100 total, and he
also blocked three kicks.
Also caught 33 passes for
424 yards and five touchdown while rushing for 109
yards an a TD. First-team
All-Sangamo Conference
linebacker; unanimous
Sangamo offensive utility
player.
DEFENSIVE BACK
DALTON
FLETCHER
Athens
Junior/5-10,
170
Fletcher has
been busy as
a two-year
starter in the
Warriors' secondary,
already snatching a
school-record nine interceptions for his career.
That includes a team-leading five this season, which
saw the Athens defense
post four shutouts.
Fletcher also logged 51
tackles, including 27 solos.
Unanimous All-Sangamo
Conference defensive
back.
DEFENSIVE BACK
DAVID
GIDEON
Taylorville
Senior/5-6,
160
At just 5-6,
Gideon came up big in the
Tornadoes' secondary. His
open-field tackling produced 38 solos and 38
assists, finishing sixth
overall in team tackles. He
also had a team-leading
six interceptions as
Taylorville had a impressive return to the Apollo
Conference. Unanimous
All-Apollo Conference
defensive back.
DEFENSIVE BACK
KOBY
LEMON
Hillsboro
Senior/5-7,
145
Despite a
lack of depth, Hillsboro
reached the Class 3A playoffs for the first time in five
years thanks to versatile
players like Lemon. He was
in on 35 tackles as a
defensive back for the
Hiltoppers, and he also
rushed for 1,112 yards (and
15 touchdowns) and
passed for 300 more at
quarterback. Also punted
and returned punts and
kicks. Unanimous South
Central Conference defensive back and utility player.
DEFENSIVE BACK
JIMMY
STAAB
Niantic
Sangamon
Valley/6-0,
180
Opposing quarterbacks
often met with misfortune
if they threw the ball in
Staab's territory. He had a
school-record and arealeading nine interceptions
for the Storm, and his 56
tackles ranked fifth on the
team. First-team All-Little
Okaw Valley Conference
Northwest Division defensive back.
PUNTER
RHETT
ZAHRADKA
Pana
Junior/6-0,
150
Zahradka
was most visable at quarterback,
where he passed for 730
yards and rushed for 517
for the Panthers. But he
gave Pana an effective
weapon on special teams,
where he punted 22 times
for an average of 39.5
yards. Coach Al Stupek
said Zahradka's running
ability kept the opposition
guessing when he went
into punt formation. Firstteam All-South Central
Conference punter.
FLEX PLAYER
AVANTE' COX
Williamsville
Sophomore/
5-10, 150
Cox's speed
and strength
allowed him
to float
around and create havoc
for Williamsville's talented
defense. Sometimes at
linebacker, sometimes at
safety, he was No. 2 on the
team in solo tackles with
30 while also having 36
assists, two interceptions
and two fumble recoveries.
He and twin brother
Da'Vante' Cox should have
even bigger roles the next
two seasons. Second-team
All-Sangamo Conference
defensive utility player.
■❑■
SECOND-TEAM
DEFENSE
Linemen — John Karras, 60, 205 Sr., Williamsville;
Jesse Kessler, 5-7, 169 Sr.,
Auburn; Tucker May, 6-1,
200 Jr., Taylorville
Linebackers — Kyle Kent,
5-11, 205 Sr., Williamsville;
Gage Lawyer, 5-10, 200
Sr., Nokomis; C.J.
O'Rourke, 5-10, 220 Sr.,
Pana; Conner Simmons, 60, 185 Jr., Litchfield
Defensive backs —
Christian Downs, 5-9, 170
Jr., Rushville-Industry;
Caleb Horchem, 6-3, 180
Sr., New Berlin; Marcus
Sitko, 5-11, 164 Sr.,
Staunton; Clint Tester, 5-11,
172 Sr., Nokomis
Punter — Joeb Easterday,
6-5, 215 Sr., Carlinville
Flex — Jacob Dixon, 6-0,
170 Soph., Carlinville
AREA ALL-CONFERENCE
FOOTBALL TEAMS 2014
(x-denotes unanimous selection)
PRAIRIE STATE CONFERENCE
FIRST TEAM
OFFENSE
MVP: Gage Lawyer, Sr., Nokomis; Hayden
Howard, Sr., Pawnee
Receivers: Chris McQuire, Jr., Nokomis; xDanny Holtz, Sr., Alton Marquette; Clay
Coffman, Sr., Bunker Hill
Linemen: x-Douglas Keiser, Sr., Nokomis;
Chris Angleton, Sr., Alton Marquette; xNathan Raleigh, Sr., Pawnee; Ben Cope, Jr.
Bunker Hill; Tristen Scheifer, Sr., Nokomis
Quarterback: Trey Aguirre, Jr., Alton
Marquette
Running backs: x-Ryan Archibald, Soph.,
Nokomis; x-Quintin Tooley, Sr. Mount Olive;
Brayden Alexander, Sr., Pawnee
Kicker: x-Nathan Raleigh, Sr., Pawnee
DEFENSE
MVP: Douglas Keiser, Sr., Nokomis
Secondary: Clint Tester, Sr., Nokomis; xDanny Holtz, Sr., Alton Marquette; Brodey
Walton, Sr., Kincaid South Fork; Matt
Tomso, Sr., Mount Olive
Linebackers: Gage Lawyer, Sr., Nokomis;
Riley Bamper, Sr., Alton Marquette; Nathan
Raleigh, Sr., Pawnee; Logan Scheiter, Jr.,
Mount Olive
Linemen: x-Tristen Scheifer, Sr., Nokomis;
Hayden Hamilton, Sr., Pawnee; Shilo
Shoppell, Sr., East Alton-Wood River;
Braden Copeland, Sr., Kincaid South Fork.
Punter: Liam Matten, Soph., Alton
Marquette.
AREA SECOND-TEAM SELECTIONS
OFFENSE
Receiver: Levi Gresham, Sr., Pawnee
Linemen: Matt Gordon, Jr., Pawnee; Call
Beiermann, Sr., Kincaid South Fork; Alex
Basalyga, Sr., Kincaid South Fork; Lucas,
Correira, Soph., Mount Olive
Quarterback: Clint Tester, Sr., Nokomis
Running backs: Brody Walton, Sr., Kincaid South
Fork; Garrett Stephens, Sr., Kincaid South Fork
DEFENSE
Secondary: Hayden Howard, Sr., Pawnee;
Dylan Specht, Sr., Pawnee
Linebackers: Garrett Stephens, Sr., Kincaid
South Fork; Clay Winks, Jr., Pawnee
Linemen: Dylan VanKooton, Sr., Pawnee;
Jeremy DeVries, Sr., Mount Olive
Punter: Jamie Ferrill, Sr., Kincaid South Fork
AREA HONORABLE MENTION
Offense: Logan Scheiter, Jr. lineman, Mount
Olive; Seth Forster, Soph. quarterback,
Kincaid South Fork; Jonathan Darrah, Fr.
running back, Mount Olive; Chris McQuire,
Jr. kicker, Nokomis
Defense: Chris McQuire, Jr. defensive back,
Nokomis; Alex Basalyga, Sr. lineman,
Kincaid South Fork; Dylan Zippay, Sr. lineman, Mount Olive; Gage Lawyer, Sr. punter,
Nokomis
SANGAMO CONFERENCE
FIRST TEAM
OFFENSE
Quarterback: Jake Hunt, Sr., New Berlin
Center: Robert Lawley, Sr., Williamsville
Guards: Alec Daykin, Sr., Williamsville;
Michael Spradlin, Sr., New Berlin
Tackles: Scott McDermand, Sr., Auburn;
Riley Perrine, Sr., Williamsville
Tight end: Cooper Eaker, Sr., Auburn
Kicker: Brennan White, Jr., North Mac
Utility: x-Blake Suhling, Sr., Riverton
Running backs: x-Noah Meyer, Sr., Auburn;
x-Gannon Lanier, Sr., Pleasant Plains; Scott
Grieve, Sr., Athens
Fullback: x-Chris Basso, Sr., Athens
Receivers: x-Chase Creviston, Sr., New
Berlin; Drew Points, Jr., Auburn; Daniel
Daykin, Sr., Williamsville; Vince Vignali, Sr.,
Williamsville
DEFENSE
Linemen: x-Scott McDermand, Sr., Auburn;
Jacob Schurman, Sr., Athens; Alec Daykin,
Sr., Williamsville
Ends: x-Riley Perrine, Sr., Williamsville;
Jesse Kessler, Sr., Auburn
Outside linebackers: Colton McDannald, Jr.,
Auburn; M.J. Haire, Jr., Williamsville
Inside linebackers: x-Tyler Brown, Sr.,
Auburn; x-Nick Cox, Sr., Williamsville;
Michael Spradlin, Sr., New Berlin; Blake
Suhling, Sr., Riverton
Backs: x-Dalton Fletcher, Jr., Athens; Drew
Points, Jr., Auburn; Chase Creviston, Sr.,
New Berlin
Punter: Vince Lanier, Jr., Riverton
Utlity: Caleb Putman, Sr., Auburn
SECOND TEAM
OFFENSE
Quarterback: Luke Bleyer, Sr., Williamsville
Center: Joe Krall, Jr., New Berlin
Guards: Brad Hall, Sr., Athens; Nick Cox, Sr.,
Williamsville
Tackles: Joe Crossin, Jr., New Berlin; Will
Brown, Sr., North Mac
Tight end: Logan McBride, Jr., Pleasant
Plains
Kicker: Adam Clark, Soph., Williamsville
Utility: Laken Labby, Sr., Pittsfield
Running back: Jace Franklin, Soph.,
Williamsville; Tate Manka, Sr., Williamsville
Fullback: Korbin Beer, Sr., New Berlin
Receivers: Everett Stevens, Sr., Auburn;
Cam Cummings, Jr., New Berlin; D'ante'
Cox, Soph., Williamsville
DEFENSE
Linemen: Joe Crossin, Jr., New Berlin; Tim
Geiger, Sr., Riverton; Mitch Whitley, Sr.,
Williamsville
Ends: Logan McBride, Jr., Pleasant Plains;
Andy Ankrom, Sr., Riverton
Outside linebackers: Hunter Hammitt, Jr.,
Athens; Korbin Beer, Sr., New Berlin
Inside linebackers: Nik Georges, Jr.,
Pleasant Plains; Wade Thiele, Jr., Pittsfield;
Kyle Kent, Sr., Williamsville
Backs: Kaine Clark, Sr., North Mac; Cole
Hamilton, Sr., Pleasant Plains; Marc Hinkle,
Sr., Riverton
Punter: Gannon Lanier, Sr., Pleasant Plains
Utility: Avante' Cox, Soph., Williamsville
HONORABLE MENTION
OFFENSE
Kole Sanders, Sr. guard, Pleasant Plains; Nik
Clemens, Soph. tackle, Pleasant Plains;
Mark Thomas, Sr. tackle, Petersburg
PORTA; Hunter Stockton, Fr. kicker, New
Berlin; Gage Shepard, Sr. utility, North Mac;
Connor Burger, Jr. receiver, New Berlin
DEFENSE
Jacob Taylor, Jr. lineman, Athens; Drew
Silveus, Sr. lineman, Auburn; Mark Thomas,
Sr. lineman, Petersburg PORTA; Korben
Personett, Soph. end, Pittsfield; Jon
Hagmann, Sr. end, Pleasant Plains; Asa
Donaldson, Soph. outside linebacker, North
mac; Dusty Wintjen, Sr. outside linebacker,
Pittsfield; Josh Chase, Sr., inside linebacker,
Pleasant Plains; Caleb Horchem, Sr. back,
New Berlin; Austin Priest, Sr. back,
Pittsfield; Ben Kovacevich, Sr. back,
Williamsville; Hayden Eddings, Sr. utility,
Petersburg PORTA