JCA 'LB' success a Sharp affair

JOLIET -- For Dan Sharp, the topic of linebackers in his regime as Joliet Catholic's head coach invariably leads back to the Chicago Bears.

Much like a kid going through his favorite football cards, Sharp mentioned Dick Butkus, Bill George, Brian Urlacher and Mike Singletary.

He didn't have to ask.

"Where do you go?" Sharp said. "What do you do? Which one of them would you pick?"

Indeed, since taking over at JCA in 1997 -- the result being six state titles -- Sharp has guided over a who's-who-worthy mix of linebackers.

A short list of his best:

1. Mike Goolsby (1997-99): Kicked off Sharp's run of state championships at Joliet Catholic and played at the University of Notre Dame. Had NFL stints with Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Rams.

2. Chris Jeske (2001-04): Played on three state champions at Joliet Catholic. Back and knee injuries ended up curtailing his career at Northwestern, where he recently announced his retirement.

3. Nick Clancy (2005-07): Exploded for 112 tackles in switch from safety to inside linebacker as a senior as Joliet Catholic won 6A state title. Now a redshirt freshman at Boston College.

4. Lee Sicinski (1998-99): Made 18 tackles in Hilltoppers' 48-13 win over Metamora in 5A state title game, then played on same Memorial Stadium turf in college at Illinois.

5. Kevin Rouse (2003-06): Played on back-to-back state championship teams to start his career before earning scholarship to Wisconsin. Now a sophomore coming off a shoulder injury for Badgers.

Other linebackers acknowledged by Sharp were Ryan Lincoln (2000-02; Purdue walk-on, finished at St. Ambrose) and Joe Koren (1999-00, Illinois State verbal).

So, the question begs to be offered, where does current Joliet Catholic middle linebacker Jake Stockman rate?

"I'd say Goolsby is the best because he played pro, and Jeske -- and Jake is right in there with all of them," Sharp said. "He meets the standard like so many before him."