Star QB tandem is only the start

Two quarterbacks?

This isn’t the first time that two quarterbacks have been selected for the Chicago Sun-Times All-Area football team. In 1997, a 20-member coaches board couldn’t decide between Cory Paus of Lincoln-Way and Walter Young of Rich East.

This year, it was impossible to pick the 25-man Sun-Times All-Area team without both Maine South’s Charlie Goro and Mount Carmel’s Jordan Lynch.

Goro, the Sun-Times Player of the Year, is our spread quarterback, and Lynch, winner of the Lawless Award as the top senior in the Chicago Catholic League, is our option quarterback.

Both coaches had similar things to say about the two signal-callers who will lead their teams into Class 8A semifinals Saturday night.

‘‘What makes Jordan special is his decision making on the field,’’ Mount Carmel coach Frank Lenti said. ‘‘He’s the guy you want to have the ball when the game is on the line. He does the right thing.’’

‘‘His ability to make adjustments and make plays are what sets Charlie apart,’’ Maine South coach Dave Inserra said. ‘‘He has an uncanny ability to make good decisions when he is in the heat of battle.’’

Two players from Mount Carmel (Lynch and Indiana-bound linebacker Dimitrius Carr) and two from Geneva (running back Michael Ratay and defensive lineman Cory Hofstetter) were selected.

In addition to those five players, five others will lead their teams this weekend in the state playoffs — offensive linemen Chris Watt of Glenbard West, Trevor Rothstein of Lemont and Pat Ward of Providence; kick returner-running back Cameron White of Antioch, and linebacker Kyle Zelinsky of Bartlett. Hubbard linebacker Darius Moffett will play in the Public League championship game against Lane.

The Catholic League Blue also landed Brother Rice punter Dan Orseske and St. Rita linebacker Marty Hopkins. The DuPage Valley placed Naperville North running back Nick Mlady and Wheaton Warrenville South linebacker Pat Dansdill on the team.

There are three juniors — receivers C.J. Fiedorowicz of Johnsburg and Kyle Prater of Proviso West and defensive back Corey Cooper of Proviso East, an Illinois commit — that forecast an outstanding class.

Fiedorowicz and Prater are the only players on the team that did not qualify for the state playoffs.

Others selected were offensive linemen Sean Cascarano of Glenbrook South and Gus Handler of Barrington, defensive linemen Nabel Jefferson of Marist and Roosevelt Holliday of Bolingbrook, defensive backs Tim Riley of Oswego and Ezra Thompson of Lincoln-Way East, and kicker Marcus Kerrigan of Cary-Grove.

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2008 ALL-AREA TEAM

Dimitrius Carr

Mount Carmel,linebacker, 6-1, 206, senior:

All-conference in the Catholic League Blue. Committed to Indiana. As an outside linebacker, he was credited with 49 solo tackles, eight tackles for loss, one interception and four pass breakups. A difference-maker on defense, he is one of the leaders on the 10-2 Class 8A semifinalist.

Sean Cascarano

Glenbrook South, offensive lineman, 6-6, 262, senior:

Top offensive lineman in the Central Suburban South. Two-time all-conference selection. Committed to Virginia. ‘‘One of the best offensive linemen I’ve coached in 21 years,’’ coach Mike Noll said. Captain of a team that finished 8-2. Credited with 24 pancake blocks.

Corey Cooper

Proviso East, defensive back,6-2, 200, junior:

Has orally committed to Illinois and has been offered by Notre Dame, LSU and Purdue. He caught 40 passes for 700 yards and six touchdowns for an 8-3 team, and also returned two kickoffs and two punts for touchdowns. On defense, he had 40 tackles, 20 assists, two sacks and four interceptions.

Pat Dansdill

Wheaton Warrenville South, linebacker, 6-1, 192, senior:

Top defensive player in the DuPage Valley for a team that has been ranked at or near the top for the past three years. He had five interceptions and returned two for touchdowns, caused three fumbles and recovered two. The Tigers’ leading tackler with 97.

C.J. Fiedorowicz

Johnsburg, receiver, 6-7, 238, junior:

Co-MVP of the Fox Valley Fox. In nine games, he caught 49 passes for 809 yards and 11 touchdowns. In three years, he has more than 2,000 yards and 30 touchdowns. Offered by Notre Dame, LSU, Purdue, Duke and Arizona. A linebacker, he had 22 tackles against Huntley and returned an interception 70 yards for a TD.

Charlie Goro

Maine South, quarterback, 6-3, 182, senior:

Player of the Year and a repeat selection. Has completed 74 percent of his passes (203 of 273) for 37 touchdowns and has run for 468 yards and 10 TDs for an undefeated Class 8A semifinalist. Committed to Vanderbilt. As a junior, he threw for 2,720 yards and 26 TDs and ran for 465 yards and eight TDs. As a sophomore, he played receiver.

Gus Handler

Barrington, offensive lineman, 6-4, 265, senior:

Best senior offensive lineman in the Mid-Suburban League. Offered by Colorado, North Carolina State, Missouri, Air Force and Ball State. ‘‘He ranks on the same scale with Dan Doering [former Barrington star now at Iowa],’’ coach Joe Sanchez said. Relentless on every snap.

Cory Hofstetter

Geneva, defensive lineman, 6-4, 260, senior:

No. 1 defensive player in the Western Sun. He has been offered by LSU. ‘‘He is a difference-maker on defense; he can carry the game from the edge,’’ coach Rob Wicinski said. Against Glenbard South, he scooped up a fumble to set up the winning touchdown.

Roosevelt Holliday

Bolingbrook, defensive lineman, 6-3, 300, senior:

Was the defensive MVP in the SouthWest Suburban Blue. He also was named to the Illinois Football Coaches Association all-state team. A dominating player, he was credited with 42 solo tackles, 25 assists and two sacks for a 10-1 team. He always had to be double-teammed.

Marty Hopkins

St. Rita, linebacker, 6-3, 240, senior:

Committed to Iowa this week. The top defensive player in the Catholic League Blue for the 2008 conference champion and a state-quarterfinal qualifier. Finished with 117 tackles, three sacks, two fumble recoveries and one interception. Also a starter on the 2007 Prep Bowl-champion team.

Nabal Jefferson

Marist, defensive lineman, 6-1, 270, senior:

The East Suburban Catholic defensive lineman of the year had 33 solo tackles and 54 assists in the regular season with nine sacks, 12 tackles for loss and one fumble recovery for a touchdown. A leader of the RedHawks’ turnaround under first-year coach Pat Dunne. Committed to Northern Illinois.

Marcus Kerrigan

Cary-Grove, kicker, 5-11, 200, senior:

Despite playing most of the year with a bad back, he kicked a 51-yard field goal to beat St. Charles North 24-21 in the season opener and converted 10 field goals in a row between his junior and senior years to tie a state record. He also kicks off into the end zone and made 36 of 39 extra points.

Jordan Lynch

Mount Carmel, quarterback, 6-1, 205, senior:

Winner of the Tony Lawless Award as the Catholic League’s MVP. Committed to Northern Illinois. He has completed 67 of 110 passes for 1,080 yards and 15 touchdowns with only one interception. He has rushed 130 times for 940 yards and 15 touchdowns for a 10-2 Class 8A semifinalist.

Nick Mlady

Naperville North, running back, 6-1, 212, senior:

Offensive player of the year in the DuPage Valley. He rushed 160 times for 1,295 yards and 14 touchdowns for a 10-1 team. He also caught 22 passes for 386 yards and four TDs and averaged 38 yards per punt. He broke Chris Brown’s career rushing record with 2,475 yards.

Darius Moffett

Hubbard, linebacker, 6-3, 233, senior:

A longtime fixture in the lineup for coach Elton Harris, Moffett has played both ways and also was effective as a running back. His team will play Saturday in the Public League championship game against Lane. He is uncommitted but was the coaches’ pick as the No. 1 player in the Public League.

Dan Orseske

Brother Rice, punter, 6-2, 210, senior:

Committed to Minnesota. Recruiting analyst Tom Lemming said he is the premier punter in the Midwest after averaging 41 yards per punt for a state quarterfinalist. ‘‘He and [former St. Rita star] Ryan Donahue are the best I’ve seen in the last 10 years,’’ Brother Rice coach Steve Nye said.

Kyle Prater

Proviso West, receiver, 6-5, 190, junior:

Caught 60 passes for 948 yards and nine touchdowns for a 2-7 team. He was an all-conference selection in the West Suburban Silver. Against Hinsdale Central, he caught nine passes for 263 yards and two touchdowns. He has 4.55 speed and is rated as one of the leading junior prospects in the state.

Michael Ratay

Geneva, running back, 5-10, 205, senior:

No. 1 player in the Western Sun. He has rushed 262 times for 2,608 yards — a 9.95 average per attempt — and 42 touchdowns. ‘‘He is a once-in-a-lifetime kid,’’ Wicinski said. He ran for 384 yards against Batavia, and in two years has rushed for 4,300 yards and 77 touchdowns.

Tim Riley

Oswego, defensive back, 6-3, 230, senior:

Played safety and was recruited as an outside linebacker. Committed to Northwestern. As a running back, he rushed 291 times for 1,886 yards and 26 touchdowns for an 8-3 team. In his final game, a 41-36 loss to Rock Island, he set school records with 50 carries for 313 yards and three touchdowns.

Trevor Rothstein

Lemont, offensive lineman, 6-1, 270, senior:

Most Valuable Player in the South Suburban Blue, a rarity for an offensive guard. A three-year starter, he is the bulwark and leader of an offensive line that has helped to account for 3,200 rushing yards and 1,180 passing yards for this year’s unbeaten Class 6A semifinalist.

Ezra Thompson

Lincoln-Way East, defensive back, 6-2, 195, senior:

Was the runner-up for top defensive player in the SouthWest Suburban Blue. Finished with 80 tackles, two interceptions and 16 pass breakups. Committed to Miami of Ohio in September. A member of the Illinois Coaches Association’s all-state team.

Pat Ward

Providence, offensive lineman, 6-7, 295, senior:

Committed to Northwestern. Top-rated offensive lineman in the Catholic League Blue. Scored 35 on his ACT. He has a 42-inch waist and wears size-17 shoes. Best lineman the school has produced since Eric Steinbach, now in the NFL. Plans to major in aerospace engineering in college.

Chris Watt

Glenbard West, offensive lineman, 6-4, 290, senior:

Committed to Notre Dame. He has been named to recruiting analyst Tom Lemming’s 26-man All-America team and the Illinois Coaches Association’s all-state team. He was MVP of the West Suburban Silver. ‘‘Most dominating player I’ve seen on the line of scrimmage in 15 years,’’ coach Chad Hetlet said.

Cameron White

Antioch, kick returner, 5-9, 164, senior:

Has returned two kickoffs and one punt for touchdowns, and had a 66-yard punt return in the quarterfinals to set up a touchdown. He has carried 142 times for 1,718 yards, caught two touchdown passes and thrown for two, including the winning one in overtime against Glenbard South in the Class 6A quarterfinals.

Kyle Zelinsky

Bartlett, linebacker, 6-0, 220, senior:

The defensive catalyst for an unbeaten Class 8A semifinalist. The Hawks have held seven opponents to seven points or less, and they shut out Oswego. He leads the team in tackles with 78, and has four forced fumbles. He was selected for the Illinois Football Coaches Association’s all-state.

ALL-AREA SPECIAL MENTION

QUARTERBACKS

Mike Adams, Aurora Central; DaRon Brown, Morgan Park; Jordan Coffey, Batavia; Tom DiCristina, Montini; Jim Garappolo, Rolling Meadows; Darren Jones, Thornton; Tom Gibson, Brother Rice; Josh Hasenberg, Bartlett; Anthony Iannotti, Schaumburg; Matt Lambert, McNamara; Miles Osei, Prospect; Mike Perrish, Marist; Tommy Rees, Lake Forest; Jordan Roberts, Aurora Christian; Darwin Rogers, Leo; Matt Rossi, Palatine; Lucas Ruske, Loyola; Spencer Stanek, Lincoln-Way East; Mike Tauchman, Fremd; Billy VandeMerkt, Riverside-Brookfield; Evan Watkins, Glenbard North; John Whitelaw, Hinsdale Central; Chandler Whitmer, Downers Grove South

RUNNING BACKS

Wes Allen, St. Charles East; Dominique Bell, Morgan Park; Stan Bobowski, St. Francis; Reggie Byrd, Rich East; Robert Cook, Glenbard West; Dan Dispensa, St. Rita; Tyler Doll, Glenbard North; Greg Fuller, Thornton; Lewis Gaddis, Aurora Christian; Danny Hayes, Lemont; Josh Hodur, St. Laurence; Tyler Hudetz, Joliet Catholic; Peter Jarrett, WW South; Mark Kachmer, St. Francis; Mark Kasper, De La Salle; Shepard Little, Schaumburg; LaSteven McKinney, Nazareth; Jordan Neukirch, Huntley; Ryan O'Donnell, Lockport; Sam Ojuri, Barrington; Leonard Panion, Niles West; Matt Perez, Maine South; Nick Pesek, Oak Lawn; Bobby Pettis, Argo; Austin Ringo, Bradley; Bill Seiler, Marist; Byron Stanford, Mount Carmel; Mike Taylor, Carmel; Mike Trumpy, Wheaton North; Bryant Venson, Glenbard West; Scottie Williams, Downers Grove South; Rich Zajeski, Hinsdale Central

RECEIVERS-TIGHT ENDS

Austin Baker, Driscoll; Jack Baucus, Carmel; Andrew Corso, Fremd; DeVaris Daniels, Vernon Hills; Jamal Gray, Thornton; Jonathon Henderson, Harper; Alex Kirk, Hinsdale Central; Ryan Maguire, Warren; Matt Morse, Aurora Christian; Dan O'Neill, St. Rita; Joey Orlando, Maine South; Shaun Pratl, Richards; Joshua Schaffer, Neuqua Valley; Josh Spandiary, Schaumburg; Alex VanNess, Bartlett; Chris Wright, Niles West

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN

Jake Baratz, Naperville North; Perry Brown, Walther Lutheran; Parker Carroll, Oak Forest; Eddie Castillo, Bloom; Jack Cooke, Bradley; Jack Curatolo, Hinsdale Central; Mark Gannon, Oak Forest; Alex Helms, Naperville North; Leon Hill, Leo; Mike Husar, Mount Carmel; Anthony Jantke, Lane; Owen Kugler, Highland Park; Jake Lembke, Providence; Christian Lombard, Fremd; Patrick Lyons, Carmel; Matt Purdom, Immaculate Conception; Ben Samson, Stevenson; Mike Schofield, Sandburg

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN

Luke Anderson, Lemont; Anthony Battle Jr., Mount Carmel; John Brewer, Lake Zurich; Michael Buchanan, H-F; Chance Carter, Loyola; Pat Clegg, Hinsdale Central; Scott Covert, Lake Forest; Jack Dittmer, Fenwick; Pat Driscoll, Lemont; Pat Hickey, Loyola; Demetrius Hill, Kankakee; Rodney Jaynes, Hales Franciscan; Anthony Kisla, Lisle; Ryan Kuhn, Crystal Lake South; Pat Loveless, Glenbard West; Kevin McKenna, Brother Rice; Tyler O'Brien, Cary-Grove; Theo Odom, Glenbard West; Cody O'Neill, Marian Central; Ben Perna, Fremd; Deion Robinson, Morgan Park; Chris Stanton, Grant; Austin Teitsma, Glenbard South; Zach Timm, Maine South; Sherman Wilkerson, Robeson; Anthony Wells, North Chicago; Tim Weidenbacher, Naperville North; Gary Young, Crete-Monee; Dan Zotto, Andrew

LINEBACKERS

Nate Bowman, De La Salle; Nick Catino, Maine South; Jon Diegel, Fremd; Ryan Fejedelem, Lemont; Ryan Ferguson, St. Francis; Grant Goebel, Montini; Jeremy Johnson, Mount Carmel; Jake Juriga, St. Charles North; Keith Marry, Plainfield Central; Connor Nagel, Lemont; Josh Mander, Joliet Catholic; Nick O'Nions, Bloom; Gervais Porter, Eisenhower; Garrett Richards, Glenbard West; Dan Sheppard, Downers Grove North; Jawon Spivery, Proviso East; Brendan Sullivan, Hinsdale Central; Mike Williams, Nazareth; Mario Zinanni, McNamara

DEFENSIVE BACKS

Marcus Franklin, Thornton; Sean Grady, Geneva; Pete Houlihan, Providence; Dave Marciano, St. Rita; Alex McNulty, Bolingbrook; Frank Renardo, Brother Rice; Jake Sinkovec, Carmel; Andrew Starks, Plainfield North; Will Taylor, Hubbard; Brendon Westphal, Bolingbrook; Cody Williams, Oak Lawn; Mike Zimmer, Wheeling

KICKERS-PUNTERS

Mitch Ewald, Waubonsie Valley; Ryan Murach, Barrington; Sean Noble, Brother Rice