High school football: Cary-Grove's Ruhland and Gomez, Crystal Lake Central's Ortner named IHSFCA all-state

A big reason for Cary-Grove’s offensive success – an average output of 44 points a game – lies with its talented and experienced offensive line.

Two of the Trojans’ linemen were recognized Thursday when the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association released its all-state teams for the respective eight classes. The list was posted by EdgyTim.com.

C-G’s Michael Gomez and Trevor Ruhland were named to the Class 7A team. Crystal Lake Central wide receiver Jack Ortner, who led the area in receptions for the second consecutive year, was selected to the Class 6A team.

Grayslake North’s Titus Booker, who helped the Knights share the Fox Valley Conference Fox Division title with Prairie Ridge, also was named to the Class 6A team. Booker decommitted to Indiana last week and committed to Wisconsin.

Ruhland (6-foot-4, 285 pounds) is committed to Notre Dame and is a three-year starter with the Trojans. He starts at offensive tackle and is a part-time defensive lineman.

Gomez (6-foot, 260 pounds) has received NCAA Division I interest and is a four-year varsity starter. He and Ruhland started on the Trojans’ Class 6A state runner-up team in 2012. Gomez has started both ways most of the last two season, also anchoring the defensive line at nose tackle.

The No. 1-seeded Trojans (12-0) play at No. 11 Libertyville (9-3) at 3 p.m. Saturday in a Class 7A semifinal playoff game.

Ortner led the area with 68 catches for 953 yards and eight touchdowns this season, helping the Tigers to a 7-3 record. He led the area last season with 79 receptions for 1,360 yards and 11 touchdowns. His catches and yards were school records last season.