Football: Bolingbrook stacked with college-level talent

Updated: February 1, 2012 8:30PM

All-State linebacker Antonio Morrison already is a student at the University of Florida, taking an 18-hour course load and preparing for spring football practice with the Gators.

Meanwhile, eight of his Bolingbrook teammates enjoyed their shining moment Wednesday morning in the school cafeteria.

Anthony Morrison Sr., Antonio’s dad, was among the scores of parents, family members and well wishers on hand for national letter-of-intent signing day as Raiders basked in the school’s first state football championship one more time.

“This is always a fun day,” said coach John Ivlow, whose team beat Loyola 21-17 for the Class 8A title. “But it isn’t over yet. We’ve had nine kids sign so far. We’ve had as many as 15 in previous years, and I think we will surpass that before it’s all said and done.”

Wednesday’s signings included All-State offensive lineman Rob Bain with Illinois. The rest were from the defensive side of the ball: linebackers Andre Allen to Illinois State and Austin Van Meter to Lake Forest College, ends Greg Gordon to St. Joseph’s (Ind.) and Anthony Harris to Northern Michigan, and backs Phillip Wilson to Indiana State and Diaron Rhodes and Tevin Teamer to Central Missouri.

“These guys were great teammates,” Bain said. “I’m happy for all of them.”

“I like seeing the variety of schools our kids are going to,” Ivlow said. “Spread the Bolingbrook kids around, and that gives us a future contact at other schools.”

Bain was in an interesting situation. Illinois coach Ron Zook and most of his staff were fired after last season, and Tim Beckman was hired and had to build a new staff.

“At first, maybe a little,” Bain said when asked if he was apprehensive about his scholarship offer with Zook being fired. “But Coach Beckman called the day after he was hired and wanted to make sure we knew he the offer was intact. He wanted to honor all the commitments.

“Coaches change all the time in college football. That’s why you have to make sure you like the school. Illinois is in the Big Ten, it’s great academically and it’s in-state so my family will be able to see the games.”

Bain, who Ivlow predicted will win the state wrestling championship, said another positive is Illinois’ offensive line coach Luke Butkus. “I really like Coach Butkus,” he said. “He played on a Big Ten championship team and coached with the Seahawks.”

Bain’s brother Ryan, a former Bolingbrook all-stater, played football at Iowa and helped Rob through the recruiting process. Rob is lighter than his football weight (296 pounds) because of wrestling. “Once wrestling is over, I’ll hit the weight room and bulk up,” he said.

Whether he plays or red-shirts next fall is yet to be decided. “There are benefits and disadvantages both ways,” he said. “Whatever happens, all I want to do is play.”

Ivlow said all the Raiders were being recruited before their run to the championship. But Allen was one who might have been helped. He had been rotating in at linebacker but became a full-time regular when Morrison was injured in the quarterfinals and sat out the last two games. He took advantage.

“I was injured myself a little this year,” said the 6-2, 186-pound Allen, who will be an outside linebacker in ISU’s 4-3 alignment. “Those last couple games gave me a chance to showcase my abilities.

“I’ll bulk up some for college, but you know what they say, speed kills. I think that’s my best attribute.”

Allen said what he especially likes about the Redbirds is head coach Brock Spack, who also runs the defense and is closely involved with the linebackers. “He’s hard-nosed guy, and that’s good,” Allen said.

© 2012 Sun-Times Media, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be copied or distributed without permission. For more information about reprints and permissions, visit www.suntimesreprints.com. To order a reprint of this article, click here.