ALL-AREA
FOOTBALL
Large schools
D E F E N S E
DL
Game-changer in every way. Played mainly DE, but could move inside
with ease and demand a double-team each time. The face of a Wash-
ington resurgence that led to an 11-1 record, and a 5A quarterfinal.
Added elusiveness to an already bruising rushing repertoire.
COLTON Numbers: School-record 34 career sacks, five this season; 908 rush
yds., 13 TDs; 7 catches, 101 yds.; also 2-for-2 for 65 yds passing. Hon-
UNDERWOOD ors: All-state with IHSFCA; special mention all-state Chicago Tribune.
WASHINGTON College plans: Eschewed larger suitors to play at Illinois State, where
he will likely have an immediate impact.
6-4, 250 / SR. Coach Darrell Crouch: “Colton took pride in being able to do
everything we asked of him.”
LB
Emerged from beneath shadow
of brother, Colton, and used his
aggressiveness to move from role
player to star for the Panthers’
successful front seven. Solid pass-
CONNOR rusher also shined in coverage.
UNDERWOOD Numbers: Team-high 67 tackles,
56 solo and six for loss; team-high
WASHINGTON nine sacks. Dream job: Secret
6-2, 205 / JR. service agent. Least favorite
food: Sushi. Did you know? Wore
both No. 87 and 55 this season
because he was the backup
center. He played at center late in
the Sterling playoff win. College
plans: Attend West Point or play
Division I football; Illinois State
has shown interest.
Coach Darrell Crouch: “Connor
that that edge. He loves to hit you.
... he made things happen at line-
backer we just didn’t do before.”
DE
This three-sport standout grew
into a leader at same position his
father played at Richwoods and
the University of Illinois. Cole also
was a gifted blocker, bookended
T.J. with all-area teammate Peter
COLE Cunningham. His key sack got
ball rolling in second-half surge in
RICHWOODS playoff upset of Springfield Sacred
6-4, 200 / SR. Heart-Griffin.
Favorite movie Scary Movie 3
Biggest fear: Dislocating my
finger again. Did you know? Third
sibling to make a JS all-area team
and in third sport: brother, Bill,
was two-time hoops POY; sister,
Stephanie, was three-time soccer
pick. College plans: Undecided.
Coach Roland Brown: “He made
it look effortless. He rushed hard
off the edge and was good in
coverage. Great kid and a great
worker.”
DT
Typifies everything that has
gone right for the East Peoria
program in consecutive playoff
seasons: a tough, smart, hard-
working two-way player. Two-year
NATE captain and three-year starter
JOSEPH was undeniable leader of a
senior class and part of four-
EAST PEORIA headed rushing attack.
5-10, 220 / SR. Numbers: 332 rush yds., 4 TDs;
seven catches, 52 yds. Least
favorite food: Black licorice.
Favorite TV show: Futurama. If
not playing football: I’d be playing
rugby. Honors: Academic all-state
with IHSFCA. College plans: Study
architecture at Notre Dame or
Tulane.
Coach Doug Martin: “Physically
mature, mentally mature, intel-
ligent. That’s a rare combination.
What else can I say about the kid?”
DB
Calm demeanor of a savvy vet,
this sophomore was not only
a top-notch safety but also
quarterback for a dynamic Wash-
ington offense. Rarely rattled,
ISAAC three three-sport standout was
FISHER X-factor in multiple big Panthers
victories.
WASHINGTON Numbers: 95-for-165, 1,404 yds.,
6-0, 160 / SO. school-record 19 TDs, 6 INTs; Has
almost 20 career INTs at all levels;
three INTs this season and three
pass break-ups. Biggest fear:
Little brother, Caleb. Best player
you’ve faced: Joliet Catholic. Least
favorite food: Broccoli. Did you
know? Fisher started the season
as backup QB and was forced into
action after an injury.
Coach Darrell Crouch: “To get
thrust into this role as a sopho-
more and succeed: that says a lot
about him.”
DB
Yet another in a long line for
standout Woodruff receivers
also stepped in at DB and as
a dynamic and dangerous kick
returner. Dorsey took last season
DEONTRAY off to focus on basketball, but
DORSEY returned, only to emerge as a
team leader.
WOODRUFF Numbers: 45 catches, 395 yds., 3
5-8, 150 / JR.
TDs; 25 carries, 169 yds rushing;
two return TDs. Favorite movie:
Marley & Me. Best player you’ve
faced: RB Tyshawn Burch. Did you
know? This is the fifth season in a
row a WR from Woodruff was named
all-area. Next year: Slated to at-
tend Peoria High, where he should
be a force in multiple sports.
Coach Tim Thornton: “He was
always playing tough for us, and
competed hard no matter the
score.”
LB
Embodied loyalty and tough-
ness of a school playing its final
season. The two-way center/
linebacker broke his snapping
NICK hand in Week 8 — then played
the final game while snapping
BART with his off hand.
Best player you’ve faced: Former
WOODRUFF teammate, all-area DL Carlos
6-2, 235 / JR. Brown. Dream job: Sportscaster
in the Super Bowl. Who motivates
you? Coach Tim Thornton. Honors:
Academic all-state with IHSFCA.
Did you know? Bart is a compete-
tive swimmer. Next year: Should
step right into a leadership role
with Central football team. Eventu-
ally hopes to study engineering or
pre-med.
Coach Tim Thornton: “He can do
anything. We asked him to do it,
and it was done.”
DT
One of the nastiest and ag-
gressive linemen in the area,
this two-way masher imposed
his presence nearly every snap.
The three-sport all-conference
JAKE athlete (wrestling, weight-
HOELZEL thrower) helped Knights to a
six-game streak of allowing 200
RICHWOODS or fewer yards.
6-1, 225 / SR. Favorite musician: Steve Miller
Band. Least favorite food: Grits.
Dinner with three people; who?
Walter Payton, Dan Gable and
Kimbo Slice. Dream job? Coach.
College plans: Hopes to wrestle or
play football, with hopes to teach
or study graphic design.
Coach Roland Brown: “Aggres-
sive and very intense — and a
little bit nasty. Those are great
characteristics to have when you’re
a defensive lineman.”
DT
Moved from linebacker to
defensive end and was a solid
and stable force for the state
champions. Smart and used lever-
SEAN age well to clear blocks and stop
the run. His discipline was key in
MCKEE title-game win over Wing-T-based
Geneseo. Added pair of catches
METAMORA and blocked well as tight end.
6-1, 220 / SR. Numbers: 53 tackles, 4.5 for
loss; 2.5 sacks, five QB pres-
sures. Favorite musician: Louis
Armstrong. Best player faced:
Pontiac RB Chase Alford. Honors:
Academic all-state with IHSFCA.
College plans: Attend University of
Illinois and major in mechanical
engineering.
Coach Pat Ryan: “He was always
in the right spot. Extremely smart
kid who didn’t take long to learn a
new position — and excel at it.”
DB
Nicknamed “Mr. Versatile,” the
converted quarterback played
five positions and returned kicks
for the 4A state champs. After
filling in at QB and FB in the
DAN regular season, his standout
BURK play along with fellow defensive
back Dave Kuhne was a playoff
METAMORA X-factor.
5-8, 160 / SR. Numbers: 557 rush yds., 5 TDs
— 319 of those in starts at QB and
FB; 10 catches, 127 yds.; 65-yd.
TD pass in semifinal win; averaged
almost 16 yards per return; 3 INTs,
11 pass break-ups. Least favorite
food: Raisin bread. Favorite movie:
Paranormal Activity. Biggest fear:
Spiders. College plans: Northern
Illinois and major in meteorology.
Coach Pat Ryan: “I don’t know if
I’ve ever had a more versatile kid.
... He was a big, big part of our
success, no doubt.”
DB
As dangerous and speedy a
player in the area, “Hendo”
provided offensive flash for a
rebuilding Dragons team. The
KYLE team MVP and one of the area’s
top sprinters stepped in at DB
HENDERSON when needed and also returned
kicks and punts.
PEKIN
Numbers: 687 rush yds. on just
5-10, 155 / SR. 98 carries, 9 TDs; 29 catches,
345 yds., TD. Added sack and INT
in limited DB play and averaged
30.4 yds per kick return. Biggest
fear? Heights. Best player you’ve
faced: Michael Fay. If not playing
football: I’d be playing video
games. College plans: Study
sports medicine at Illinois State.
Coach Doug Nutter: “He was our
player, our focus. ... When the ball
got into his hands we always knew
something great could happen.”