Dec. 13--Brendan Skalitzky, Marist, Sr., QB
His huge numbers (272-for-425 passing, 3,805 yards, 38 TDs; 1,084 yards rushing, 8 TDs) were only part of the story. The 6-foot Skalitzky led a 5-4 regular-season team to four consecutive playoff victories and and spot in the Class 8A title game. He's being recruited by Ivy League, Patriot League and MAC schools.
Emmett Clifford, Loyola, Sr., QB
Arguably the MVP of the state's No. 1 team, Clifford masterfully directed an offense that was so productive it was able to take its foot off the gas in the second half of at least 10 games. Completed 70.1 percent of his passes for 2,548 yards, 33 TDs and 6 INTs.
Justin Blake, Montini, Sr., QB
The leader of six-time state champion Montini's first undefeated team, Blake's speed added a new dimension to Montini's spread offense. He spearheaded a big fourth-quarter comeback in the state semifinals and rushed for 192 yards and two scores in the 6A final. He threw for 1,573 yards, 17 TDs and just one INT and rushed for 1,197 yards and 15 TDs.
Zach Oles, Palatine, Jr., QB
One of the surprise success stories of the season, Oles won't have to compete for the job again next summer after leading the Pirates to the 8A semifinals for the first time since 1996 and putting a scare in eventual champion Loyola. He threw for 2,269 yards and 18 TDs and ran for 1,267 and another 18 scores.
Dara Laja, Loyola, Sr., RB
Loyola's career rushing leader with more than 3,000 yards, Laja compiled 1,854 of them and 22 TDs as a senior. He did a lot of damage between the tackles at 5-9, 180, and was clutch the few times Loyola was challenged. Led the Ramblers with 152 yards and two TDs in the 8A title game.
Ivory Kelly-Martin, Nazareth, Jr., RB
Combining between-the-tackles power with breakaway speed, Kelly-Martin rushed for 170 yards and four TDs in the Roadrunners' Class 5A championship-game victory, and 1,972 yards and 33 TDs on 190 carries after missing most of his sophomore season with an injury.
Michael Johnson, Joliet Catholic, Sr., RB
He came to JCA as a promising basketball player and instead joined the long list of great running backs. Johnson rushed for 1,986 yards and 26 TDs for an average of 165.5 yards per game and caught 29 passes for 539 yards and five TDs.
Liam Keffer, Marist, Sr., WR
With suction cups for hands, Keffer catches the ball away from his body as well as anybody. He totalled 94 receptions for 1,405 yards and 11 TDs in the Class 8A runner-up RedHawks' high-powered offense. The 6-foot, 175-pounder is now being targeted by FCS, Division II and Division III schools.
Palmer Graham, Conant, Sr., WR
Among the top two-way players in the area, Graham took the top off of defenses to the tune of 55 catches for 1,171 yards and 11 TDs. An impact player at cornerback as well, Graham is being recruited by Army and Alabama State, among others.
Justin Witt, Lincoln-Way West, Sr., OL
Listed at 6-7, 275, Witt and the rest of West's offensive line bulldozed their way to the Class 5A championship game. The Warriors rushed for more than 3,000 yards in the process and scored 40 points in the quarterfinals and 42 in the semifinals. Witt chose North Carolina State from more than 20 scholarship offers.
Kevin Jarvis, Maine South, Jr., OL
Maine South's best offensive line prospect since Redskins great Dave Butz, the 6-5, 315-pound Jarvis was as overpowering as any linemen in the state. He's got good feet too and will have his pick of any number of major-conference offers.
Matt Allen, Hinsdale Central, Sr., OL
Like his older brothers Jack and Brian, Allen is an All-State lineman, a standout wrestler and a Michigan State recruit. The 6-3, 275-pound center is a mauler who routinely drove tackles to the ground and created gaping holes up the middle.
Austin Warner, Oswego, Sr., OL
A Northern Illinois recruit, the 6-4, 270-pound left tackle was a great blind-side protector and a space creator in the run game. He was selected to play in the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl on Jan. 3 in California.
Clint Ratkovich, Crete-Monee, Sr., ATH
Part quarterback, part running back, pure determination, Ratkovich was the leader of Crete-Monee's surprise run to the 6A title game. He rushed for 1,793 yards and 32 TDs, including a 204-yard, 3-TD performance in Crete's 38-35 upset of two-time defending-champion Sacred Heart-Griffin in the quarterfinals.
Ben Christensen, Lincoln-Way East, Sr., DL
A two-year starter for the Griffins, Christensen, who scored a 31 on his ACT, finished with 51 tackles, 13 tackles for a loss, including seven sacks. The 6-3, 220-pounder was selected as one of two in the Chicago area to be named a National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete.
Chris Elmore, Phillips, Jr., DL
One of the leaders on a defense that held 10 opponents to seven points or less in an undefeated run to the Class 4A state title, the 6-0, 265-pounder racked up 95 tackles, 18 sacks and 27 tackles for a loss.
A.J. Epenesa, Edwardsville, Jr., DE
Ranked by 247Sports' composite rankings as the top junior in the state and No. 12 nationally, the 6-5, 260-pounder has more than 20 scholarship offers, including from Alabama. Despite facing double teams most of the season, Epenesa, a three-sport starter, collected 44 tackles, seven sacks and three fumble recoveries.
Royce Newman, Nashville, Sr., DL
At 6-7, 255 pounds, the Missouri recruit went from an unknown recruit in the summer to a player with a high ceiling. Also a talented basketball player, Newman caught 37 passes for 732 yards and nine TDs and added 70 tackles and 8.5 sacks.
Allen Stallings, Oak Park-River Forest, Sr., DL
A three-year starter, Stallings was one of the leaders for the Huskies this season. A standout wrestler, the 6-2, 230-pounder had 71 tackles, 12 tackles for a loss, including seven sacks, along with three forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and a defensive TD.
Ross Andreasik, Glenbard West, Sr., LB
Tallied two tackles for a loss in Glenbard West's Class 7A title win against Libertyville. A speedy, physical threat in the middle of Glenbard West's defense, the 6-2, 205-pounder compiled 69 tackles and a team-high six interceptions.
Jerrico Johnson, Bishop McNamara, Sr., LB
The all-time school leader in tackles added six more in Bishop McNamara's blowout win against Tolono Unity in the 3A state title game. Johnson tallied 181 tackles and rushed for 760 yards and eight touchdowns.
Brendan O'Hara, Providence, Sr., LB
The 6-2, 220-pound O'Hara built off a solid junior season that ended with the Celtics winning the 7A state title. The uncommitted senior finished with 91 tackles and forced four fumbles.
Drake Spears, West Aurora, Sr., LB
The Illinois recruit guided the Blackhawks to their first playoff appearance since 1994. The 6-1, 195-pounder had 36 tackles, rushed for 358 yards and caught 25 passes for 337 yards.
Bobby Desherow, Loyola, Sr., DB
Loyola coach John Holecek, a former NFL player, calls Desherow "a fearless competitor who set the tone for our outstanding defense this year." The 6-2, 190-pounder ranked third on the undefeated Ramblers with 96 tackles. He also had two interceptions and eight pass breakups.
Jeremy Fejedelem, Lemont, Sr., DB
The 5-10, 185-pound Air Force recruit was a major force for Lemont's defense, with 75 tackles, including eight tackles for a loss, and five interceptions.
Kenney Lyke, Fremd, Sr., DB
The Michigan State recruit was all over the field, finishing with 68 tackles and an interception. At 6-2 and 182 pounds, Lyke added 935 yards rushing and scored 13 touchdowns.
Juwuane Parchman, Rockford Auburn, Sr., DB
The Illinois recruit finished with 66 tackles, six interceptions and 164 yards in interception return yardage. The 6-1, 190-pounder also recovered two fumbles.
Mike Helfgot and Bob Narang are freelance reporters for the Chicago Tribune.
