2017 Chicago Sun-Times All-Area football team

2017 Chicago Sun-Times All-Area football team

QB Drake Davis, Naperville North

Sr., 5-11, 195 pounds

Bureau Valley transfer recorded 2,724 passing yards and 32 touchdowns. Davis helped the Huskies to a 5-3 record in the DuPage Valley.

RB Justin Hall, Homewood-Flossmoor

Sr., 5-9, 180 pounds

Rushed for 1,788 yards, averaged 8.7 a carry. Scored 30 touchdowns overall, the Northern Illinois recruit also racked up 530 yards receiving

RB Craig Elmore, Phillips

Sr., 5-9, 215 pounds

Player of the Year candidate, game-changer at running back and linebacker. Rushed for 1,814 yards and 22 touchdowns.

RB Tori Clinton, St. Laurence

Sr., 5-8, 170 pounds

Ran for 2,800, averaged 10.2 per carry and rushed for 30 touchdowns. Led Vikings to Class 6A quarterfinals. Won the CCL White Lawless award.

WR Jayden Reed, Naperville Central

Sr., 6-0, 170 pounds

Electric athlete had 1,179 receiving yards, averaged 20 yards a catch. Western Michigan recruit scored a total of 18 touchdowns playing receiver, running back and special teams.

WR Micah Jones, Warren

Sr., 6-4 175 pounds

Notre Dame had 53 receptions for 710 yards and 12 touchdowns. Averaged more than 13 yards a catch and helped Warren advance to the second round of the Class 8A playoffs.

OL Jeff Jenkins, Prairie Ridge

Sr., 6-4, 275 pounds

A special athlete, anchoring an offensive line that led Wolves to a 27-game winning streak. Helped the offense run for 3,513 yards and average 47 points per game.

OL Charlie Gross, Loyola

Sr., 6-5, 280 pounds

Gross and the offensive line paved the way for 2,575 yards rushing and 2,135 yards passing yards this season, averaging 6.1 yards gained per play.

OL Jeremy Cooper, Mount Carmel

Sr., 6-3, 295 pounds

Big, strong bodied lineman was key to Caravan averaging 30 points per game. The Cincinnati recruit was an All-Conference Catholic League Blue selection.

OL Peter Skoronski, Maine South

So., 6-4, 250 pounds

Size, speed and a mean streak that makes him one of the best lineman in the area. Led offensive line that helped offense gain 4,504 yards.

OL Wyatt Blake, Crystal Lake Central

Sr. 6-4, 300 pounds

Northwestern recruit has high football IQ and great footwork, pushed back opponents all season. Helped Tigers average 28 points per game.

DL Gavin McCabe, Marist

Sr., 6-3, 250 pounds

Made 78 tackles on the season including 13 tackles for a loss. The East Suburban Catholic’s defensive co-MVP also had five sacks and a forced fumble.

DL Devin O’Rourke, Lincoln-Way East

Sr., 6-6, 240 pounds

Long limbed and quick, recorded 11 sacks and 23 tackles for a defensive line that was one of the best units in the area, allowing just nine points per game.

DL Jalen Slater, Montini

Sr., 6-1, 245 pounds

Helped Montini into the playoffs with his big individual numbers. Had 91 tackles including 16 tackles for loss and nine sacks.

DL/LB Terrance Taylor, Phillips

Sr., 6-4, 215 pounds

A game-changer. The Toledo recruit is athletic and quick to the ball. Led the Wildcats dominant defense with 25 sacks.

LB Jack Sanborn, Lake Zurich

Sr., 6-2, 210 pounds

The school’s all0time leader in tackles. Wisconsin recruit had 100 tackles this season for a defense that allowed just nine points a game. Butkus Award finalist.

LB Wesley Lones, Nazareth

Sr., 6-2, 205 pounds

A big factor in the Roadrunners’ run to the title game. Responsible for 95 tackles in just ten games. Notched 12 tackles for loss, one sack and three forced fumbles.

LB Joseph Bonds, De La Salle

Sr., 6-3, 220 pounds

Northern Illinois recruit recorded 80 tackles, 15 for a loss and eight sacks. The Catholic League Green defensive player of the year.

DB Michael Niemiec, Batavia

Sr., 6-1, 180 pounds

Helped Bulldogs to state title game with 107 tackles on the season including eight tackles for a loss and hauled in two interceptions for defense that allowed just six points per game.

DB Romel Goston, Raby

Jr., 6-1, 170 pounds

Instrumental when the Raiders needed a big play. Finished with 54 tackles, five interceptions and two sacks

DB Giavion Mason, Bishop McNamara

Sr., 6-2, 205 pounds

Three-year starter and played both ways. Illinois State recruit averaged six tackles a game in his career and scored four touchdowns this season.

DB Connor Reid, Benet

Sr., 6-1, 205 pounds

Great athlete that led the surprisingly good Redwings to Class 7A state semifinals with 77 tackles and nine interceptions.

K/P Gavin Mottl, St. Rita

Jr., 5-11, 175 pounds

Great weapon for Class 7A quarterfinalists. Made nearly all of his extra-point attempts and converted a season long 42-yard field goal.

ATH Samson Evans, Prairie Ridge

Sr., 6-0, 200 pounds

Racked up 6,140 rushing yards in his career. Rushed 225 times for 1,967 yards and 44 touchdowns this season. Sun-Times Player of the Year.