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The Star’s All-Area Football team will be hon ored with a banquet on Monday, Dec. 3 at the Holiday Inn Chicago South/Harvey. Northern Il linois University football Coach Jerry Pettibone will be the featured speaker at the event. Pettibone led the Huskies to a 6-5 Independent record this season, in cluding a convincing upset of Fresno State when it was unbeaten and ranked in the Asso ciated Press Top 25. Parents, coaches, relatives and girl friends should secure reservations for the banquet as soon as pos sible and no later than 12 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 30. The admission is $12.50 per person and may be paid at The Star’s Chicago Heights office, 1526 Otto Blvd., or Tinley Park office, 15950 Harlem Ave. More information may be obtained by phoning The Star’s promotion department at 755-6161. The doors will open Monday, Dec. 3 at the Holiday Inn at 6:30 p.m. with dinner scheduled for 7 p.m. The evening’s events include Pettibone’s talk, a video presentation and the introduction of the All-Area team. RECEIVERS Colin Egglesfield, Marian — The Spartans’ go-to guy, as he accounted for 546 of Marian’s 1,144 yards receiving. Four of his 34 catches went for touch downs. “He’s an excellent wide receiver with good speed,” said Coach Dave Mattie. Pat Gaskin, Tinley Park — Tied Brian Wise (now at Iowa) for Tinley Park’s all-time reception total for one season (47) and did it in only 9 games, compared to Wise’s 14 during the 1986 state championship season. Gaskin picked up 670 yards and scored 10 touchdowns. Duane Lyle, HF — The senior wideout picked up 806 yards on 46 catches (17.5 avg.) and 15 touchdowns in this, his first season. “He was pretty amazing for his first year of football,” said Coach John Wrenn. “He has the most potential of anybody I’ve ever coached.” Jamie Oliver, Crete-Monee — Caught 41 passes for 541 yards and 7 TD’s despite the Warriors’ run oriented offense. “He’s a possession-type reciever with excellent hands and great concentration,” said Coach Mark Egofske. “He improved every game.” Costa Panagos, Lincoln Way — This two-way standout caught 41 passes for a 12-yard average and seven touchdowns. Also was in on 82 tackles and made one interception. Ranks 51st in his senior class. KICKER Brett Larsen, Thornwood — When it comes to kicking the football, Larsen ranks as one of the best ever. He connected for nine field goals and 38 extra points in addition to averaging 45 yards per punt. “I’m glad he’s graduating,” said HF Coach John Wrenn. “He’s one of the best kickers I’ve ever seen.” DEFENSIVE LINEMEN Dave Domke, Providence — The 6-foot, 170- pound senior nose tackle used his quickness to get in on 80 tackles and recover three fumbles. Domke was voted most valuable lineman for the 5-4 Celtics. Justin Hopper, Sandburgh Coach Tom Seliga said Hopper “developed into a real sleeper” with college recruiters as the season progressed. The 6-2, 210-pounder was SICA North’s top vote-getter among linemen, fin ishing with 51 solo tackles, 22 assists, four caused fum bles and six quarterback sacks. Anthony Jones, Richards — Anchored a defen sive line that entered the season with a question mark and finished as one of the dominant lines in the area. The 6-5, 237-pound junior made five sacks and caused two fumbles while recording 38 solo tackles and 46 assists. Eric Jones, Thornton — As Thornton enters its second straight Class 6A championship game at Illinois State University, a lot of credit this time around goes to this 6-2, 255 two-way senior tackle. “He was the key to our work in the line, on offense and defense,” said Thornton Coach Bill Moses. Derrick Lillard, Brother Rice — Voted among the top defensive linemen in the Catholic League, this 6-4, 250-pound senior averaged 12 tackles per game. “He has great pursuit for a guy his size,” said Coach Tom Mitchell. Keith Nelson, HF — A two-year defensive starter, Nelson made 50 solo tackles, 31 assists, five sacks and three blocked kicks in addition to returning a fumble recovery for a touchdown. “He’s very quick for a big man,” said Coach John Wrenn. Tom O’Dette, Andrew — Voted the No. 2 line man in the SICA West, O’Dette finished the year with 69 solo tackles, 40 assists, 13 tackles for losses and five quarterback sacks. Jeff Patterson, Hillcrest — This intelligent (ACT score of 28) senior was the nucleus of the Hawks defense. Finished with 22 solos, 86 assists, six sacks and two fumble recoveries. “He was a mainstay in both the offensive and defensive lines,” said Coach Carl Zambo. “We couldn’t replace him if he got hurt.” LINEBACKERS Bryan Croger, Thornwood — A big reason for Thornwood’s 9-2 success was the play of this senior linebacker. “Bryan made the commitment during the off-season, cut his weight 25 pounds and became a great player,” said Coach Terry Kennedy. Croger averaged five tackles, three assists and recorded two sacks for a defense that allowed an average of just 70 yards per game. Dave Curtin, Bremen — This 6-2, 215-pound se nior hardly ever came off the field, as he also played offensive guard for the Braves. Curtin finished with three interceptions and three fumble recoveries to go along with his average of 13 tackles per game. Chris Koeppen, Richards — One of the top junior linebacker prospects in the area and the leader of a defense that allowed 54 points through its first 10 games. Finished with 67 solos, 81 assists, seven knoc kdowns, six interceptions and three fumble recoveries. One of the fiercest hits of the season came when Koeppen knocked out Providence’s Bobby Purchase during an epic nonconference battle on Week 9. Joe Munda, TF North (LB) — The two-way SICA Central selection was the defensive leader for the Me teors. The 6-foot-1, 215-pound linebacker averaged eight tackles and four assists for the 5-4 Meteors. He had six quarterback sacks and four fumble recoveries. Tim Posewick, Marian Catholic — The leading tackler on a defense that allowed just 78 points, lowest in the area. Posewick made 36 solos, 69 assists and six sacks. He’s a very inspirational player and a team leader by example and by enthusiasm,” said Coach Dave Mattie. Chris Purchase, Providence — The Celtics top defender had to fill the shoes of three-time All-Area linebacker Pete Bercich (Notre Dame). He responded with 141 tackles, two fumble recoveries and an inter ception. Jason Richardson, Oak Forest — — Although he gets the nod on our All-Area defensive team, Richard son was a close second to Tinley’s Brett Geijer in the SICA Central voting as a running back. “As a guy on both sides of the ball, the only one I saw who would compare with Jason was Shepard’s Tyrone Washington,’ said Coach Gene Johnston. Richardson ranks 15th in his senior class and is a National Honor Society member. DEFENSIVE BACKS John Barkauskas, Andrew — Made 31 solo tackles, 58 assists and five interceptions to merit the No. 2 ranking among defensive backs in the SICA West Chris Ellis. Rich Central — One of the top all around players in the area, he finished the season with 32 tackles, five knockdowns and seven interceptions. Also posted averages of 38.1 yards punting, 20.7 yards receiving, 20.9 yards on punt returns and 42.3 yards on kick returns. Matt Gainer, Marist — Made 59 tackles and four interceptions for a defense that allowed 90 points in nine games. Also caught nine passes for 150 yards and two touchdowns. Rodney Harrison, Marian — A three-year starter, he was voted Defensive Player of the Year in the East Suburban Catholic Conference. Harrison was in on 82 tackles and made six interceptions, bringing to mind comparisons with 1980 Marian graduate Mike Prior (Indianapolis Colts). “He has good strength and explosion as an athlete,” said Coach Dave Mattie. Jessie James Hillcrest — A two-way standout, he made 47 tackles, three sacks, five interceptions and a fumble recovery. Also rushed for 856 yards and scored 14 touchdowns. Initially gained fame when he led Home wood to the Small Fry International basketball title in 1980 Mark Nardi. Thornwood — The versatile 5-11, 175 senior played major roles for the Thunderbirds at wingback and defensive back. He had 30 receptions for 514 yards and 10 touchdowns, in addition to 18 carries for 118 yards. Nardi also returned 10 punts for 127 yards. Carl Sylvester, Bloom — Led the Trojans with 56 tackles, 37 assists and three interceptions. Also passed for 1,566 yards and 15 touchdowns as Bloom’s quarter back. Voted the No. 3 player in the SICA East. JERRY PETTIBONE Northern Illinois
Newspaper Details
Orland Park Star
Orland Park, Illinois, US
Thu, Nov 22, 1990
Page 22
Full Page
Clipped by
Matt G.
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