2016 Chicago Sun-Times All-Area football team

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Brother Rice’s Ricky Smalling.

2016 Chicago Sun-Times All-Area Football team, selected by Beth Long

QB – Samson Evans, Prairie Ridge, Jr.

The 6-1, 200-pounder left others in his dust. Evans led an offense averaging 50 points. He’s been an electric dual threat, putting up 1,363 rushing yards, 740 passing yards and 32 touchdowns in the regular season.

WR – Jake Marwede, Loyola, Sr.

The do-it all guy for the top-team in the area wire-to-wire. Marwede impacted the Ramblers offense in every phase of the game. Rushed for 14 touchdowns (61 carries, 333 yards) and threw four passes for 134 yards. Had 40 receptions for 548 yards and six touchdowns. When Loyola needed clutch plays the Duke recruit delivered.

WR – Ricky Smalling, Brother Rice, Sr.

If you saw him play, you remember it. Smalling has the unique ability to break tackles and wind up in the end zone. Even though teams had to specifically game plan against him, he recorded 80 catches for 1,336 yards and 18 touchdowns. The 6-2, 195-pounder has orally committed to Illinois.

WR – Josh Babicz, Barrington, Sr.

A Mid-Suburban League All-Conference selection, Babicz is an athletic receiver who has orally commited to North Dakota State. He scored 12 touchdowns and had 1,107 all-purpose yards for the Broncos. Babicz is a 6-6, 220-pounder who made a big impact on all phases of Barrington’s offense.

RB – Jordan Rowell, IC Catholic, Sr.

One of the top athletes in the area, Rowell made his presence known all season. Rushed for 2,024 yards and 34 touchdowns. Also a threat receiving, racking up 515 yards and four touchdowns. Rowell averaged 190 yards a game in all-purpose yardage. Contributed to the defense with three interceptions. A 6-2, 188-pound NIU commit.

RB – Kamari Mosby, Phillips, Sr.

Mosby was integral in the Wildcats’ run to a the semifinals. He is quick, hard to run down and rushed for 1,799 yards and 26 touchdowns on a well-rounded offense stacked with weapons. The 5-9, 185-pounder quietly put together one of the top seasons in the area.

OL – Kevin Jarvis, Maine South, Sr.

Jarvis stands 6-5, 330-pounds, but his size isn’t the only reason that coach David Inserra touts him as a “difference maker.” Jarvis allowed no sacks this season and is the two-time Central Suburban League Lineman of the Year. Jarvis will play his collegiate ball at Michigan State.

OL – Jack Badovinac, Loyola, Sr.

Versatility is key for Badovinac, a 6-2, 270-pounder that can play all over the offensive line. Led the area’s dominant offensive line, which Loyola coach John Holecek called “legendary” after beating Glenbard West in the semifinals.

OL – John Michael Schmitz, Homewood-Flossmoor, Sr.

Anchor of an offensive line that opened up room for 3,500 rushing yards and 2,000 yards passing on the season. Schmitz, a 6-4, 280-pound Western Michigan recruit, was a key cog in a prolific Vikings’ offense.

OL – Jeff Jenkins, Prairie Ridge, Sr.

Prairie Ridge’s offense was dominant. Jenkins, at 6-4, 250-pounds, is a three-year Fox Valley All-Conference selection and helped the Wolves rush for over 3,600 yards this season. Jenkins also contributed four sacks and eight tackles for a loss while playing both ways on the line.

OL – Niko Ivanisevic, Hinsdale Central, Sr.

The West Suburban Silver Offensive Lineman of the Year is an aggressive, scrappy athlete. He’s 6-2, 270-pounds and is no-nonsense on the field. Versatile and has played every slot on the offensive line, moved to left tackle this season.

ATH – Quincy Patterson, Solorio, Jr.

Jack of all trades, Patterson had 33 regular season touchdowns. He wasn’t only instrumental under center for the Sun Warriors, he was even more impactful in the secondary. The 6-4, 230-pound athlete was a big-bodied safety with great field vision and football IQ. Recorded 42 tackles, one sack, two interceptions in the six games he contributed to the defense.

PK – Sean McNulty, Maine South, Sr.

The 6-2, 210-pound athlete has 28 career field goals for the Hawks, a school record. Has impressive strength, not just kicking as he also suits up at right tackle, outside linebacker and recorded four tackles for loss and two pass deflections at the position.

DEFENSE

DL – Elijah James, Oswego East, Sr.

James, at 6-4, 270-pounds, recorded 55 solo tackles along with 43 assisted tackles. Notched seven sacks, two forced fumbles and a touchdown. The Central Michigan recruit is a quick and athletic lineman who can line up at tackle or end.

DL – Jacub Panasiuk, Lake Park, Sr.

Long and athletic, Panasiuk has been a force defense for three seasons. This year he recorded 55 solo tackles in eight games, including 14 tackles for loss, six sacks and two fumble recoveries. Also punted, was the long snapper, played tight end and H-back. Orally committed to Michigan State.

DL – Joshua Maize, Deerfield, Sr.

An explosive and athletic prospect, made a big impact on a Deerfield team that advanced to the first round of the state playoffs. Was credited with 96 tackles, 66 of them solo, including eight sacks and five tackles for loss.

DL – Ari Ekowa, Plainfield North, Sr.

Recorded 54 solo tackles along with 7.5 sacks and nine tackles for loss. Ekowa is an explosive player who also spent some time at offensive guard for the Tigers. The six-foot, 245-pound prospect made waves in the Southwest Prairie.

LB – Frank Letizia, Lemont, Sr.

Lemont’s defense stormed through the season, advancing to the quarterfinals with a 12-1 record. Letizia was the anchor with 77 solo tackles, including 34 tackles for loss. The 5-10, 180-pounder is quick to read the offense and break into the backfield, with nine sacks and two forced fumbles.

LB – Micah Awodiran, Marist, Sr.

The East Suburban Catholic MVP is headed to Yale to play his collegiate ball. A 6-2, 210-pound versatile linebacker who played both inside and outside and recorded 108 tackles, eight tackles for loss, and six sacks. He added one forced fumble, a fumble recovery for a touchdown and three pass break ups.

LB – Trey Telez, Lincoln-Way West, Sr.

The Warriors advanced to the first round of the state playoffs as Telez just continued to make plays for the Warriors with 68 solo tackles and 8.5 sacks. He was also an impact player on special teams with three blocked kicks, two of which resulted in touchdowns.

DB – DaQuan Cross, West Aurora, Sr.

One of the most versatile athletes in the area, Cross notched 77 tackles in the defensive backfield, four sacks and two interceptions. He impacted the team on both offense and defense, with 1,331 all-purpose offensive yards. Cross was a game-changer for a Blackhawks team that went undefeated in the regular season.

DB – Jace James, Glenbard North, Sr.

DuPage Valley Defensive Player of the Year and a Northwestern recruit, James’ stats show that he is an all-around athlete. James was exceptional in the secondary with eleven interceptions, 24 solo tackles, ten tackles for loss, five sacks and two forced fumbles. He also added 1,020 receiving yards while averaging 22 yards per catch.

DB – Khalif Copeland, Willowbrook, Sr.

Willowbrook advanced to the Class 7A quarterfinals and Copeland, a West Suburban Gold All-Conference selection, always seemed to have a nose for the ball. With seven interceptions, 113 total tackles, six tackles for loss his high football IQ was evident.

DB – Jake Moertl, Palatine, Sr.

One of the most touted defenses in the area, the Pirates allowed an average of just 14 points a game. The 6-0, 170-pounder had nine interceptions, three of which he returned for touchdowns. Recorded 40 tackles and had one fumble recovery.

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