All-area football: Defense
FIRST TEAM DEFENSE
Frank Boenzi, Geneva
Despite missing three games with an illness, this all-Western Sun Conference pick enters the state final with two sacks, two fumble recoveries and 59 tackles.
Cory Hofstetter, Geneva
An all-Western Sun Conference selection, Hofstetter enters the final game of the year with 73 tackles, two fumble recoveries and eight sacks.
Juan Carlos Avila, Marmion Academy
All-Suburban Catholic Conference selection finished with 65 tackles, including 14 sacks. Avila is considering offers at
West Point, the U.S. Naval Academy and Eastern Illinois
DEFENSIVE LINEMAN Pete Kariotis, Aurora Christian
Through 12 games, the big man in the middle of the Eagles’ defense had registered 10 tackles for loss and 76 total tackles while sacking the quarterback 5.5 times. He also forced three fumbles.
LINEBACKER Brennan Quinn, Geneva
This all-Western Sun Conference selection leads the Vikings with 107 tackles entering the last weekend of the year. He also has two sacks and an interception.
Mike Adams,
Aurora Central Catholic
More well known for being ACC’s all-time leader in passing and total offense, this all-Suburban Catholic Conference selection was a punishing defender as well. He finished with 69 tackles and three sacks.
Ryan Perik, Aurora Christian
The Eagles’ all-time leading tackler had brought down opponents 104 times through 12 games, including 10.5 tackles for loss. He also recovered three fumbles, broke up three passes and notched a safety.
DEFENSIVE BACK Jim McHugh, Oswego
One of the emotional leaders for the Panthers, McHugh finished with four pass breakups, two sacks and 37 tackles. He also blocked a punt.
DEFENSIVE BACK Perry Levin, Waubonsie Valley
One of the area’s top coverage men with five interceptions and nine passes defensed. He also finished 32 tackles.
DEFENSIVE BACK David Zielke, Aurora Christian
One of the top two-way players in the area, Zielke shined on defense by picking off six passes through 12 games. He also broke up three passes and registered 29 tackles.
DEFENSIVE BACK Sean Grady, Geneva
This do-everything back is an all-Western Sun Conference selection with three interceptions, one fumble recovery and 92 tackles.
PUNTERJose Lopez, Plano
Lopez was an all-Interstate Eight Conference Small Division selection landed 15-percent of his punts inside the opponent’s 20-yard-line and averaged 30.1 yards per kick.
