Presenting the 2024 Times All-Area Football Team

We are proud to present The Times 2024 All-Area Football Team, with 22 first-team selections and 22 more honored as second-teamers from area teams Marquette, Seneca, Streator, Sandwich, Ottawa, Fieldcrest and Flanagan-Cornell/Woodland.

First Team

Jeffrey Ashley, Sandwich, RB/LB, jr.

A disruptive playmaker for the Indians, Ashley led Sandwich with 80 tackles and was an All-Kishwaukee River Conference first-team selection. This is his first Times All-Area selection.

Weston Averkamp, Ottawa, WR/QB/DB, sr.

A versatile weapon for the Pirates and All-Interstate 8 pick, Averkamp led the team in rushing attempts and tied for second in receptions, finishing with 158 rushing yards and 18 receptions for 182 yards. This is his second consecutive first-team appearance.

Keaton Davis, Marquette, TE/LB/P, sr.

A two-way standout for the Crusaders, Davis was a Chicagoland Prairie All-Conference selection after recording eight receptions for 147 yards and four TDs and starring at outside linebacker. This is his initial selection to The Times All-Area Football Team.

Grant Dose, Marquette, RB/LB, jr.

Dose was the leading rusher out of Marquette’s wing-T with 854 yards and a dozen touchdowns, the Cru’s leading tackler and the Chicagoland Prairie’s Defensive Co-Player of the Year. This is his first appearance on our All-Area Team.

Leelynd Durbin, FCW, RB/LB, jr.

The leading rusher with over 1,000 yards for the eight-man Falcons, Durbin was an explosive playmaker both on offense and defense. This is his first Times All-Area Football Team appearance.

Tristan Finley, Streator, RB/DL, sr.

The Bulldogs’ fullback played hurt but still ran for 183 yards and four touchdowns on just 35 carries, hauled in 21 receptions for 227 yards and two more scores and defensively recorded 20 tackles (including two for loss) and a quarterback sack.

Tate Frieders, Sandwich, OL/DL, sr.

An all-conference lineman who also received honorable mention all-state accolades in Class 4A, this is Frieders’ first appearance on our All-Area Team.

Paxton Giertz, Seneca, QB/DB/K/KR, sr.

The Fighting Irish signal-caller threw for 299 yards and five touchdowns, ran for 433 yards and eight more TDs, recorded two interceptions (including a pick-6) and kicked 34 extra points plus two field goals. He was on our second team in 2023.

Nick Grant, Seneca, RB/LB, sr.

Grant’s 55 rushing yards and five touchdowns and 65 total tackles (41 solo, nine for loss) led the senior to all-conference accolades as well as this honor – his only Times All-Area Football Team appearance.

Payton Gutierrez, Marquette, RB/DB, sr.

An all-conference performer, three-year starter and two-way standout, Gutierrez ran for 685 yards and six touchdowns while adding 10 receptions for 113 yards and two more scores offensively. He was a member of our second team in 2023.

Eddie Lorton, Fieldcrest, RB/DB/KR, sr.

The one player every Knights opponent had to watch out for, Lorton was a first-team All-Heart of Central Illinois performer and played every single offensive and defensive snap on his way to 707 rushing yards, 201 receiving yards and six total TDs. This is his second consecutive appearance on our first team.

Zeb Maxwell, Seneca, OL/DL, jr.

The Fighting Irish’s power-T offense was again fueled by its offensive line, and Maxwell was one of multiple All-Chicagoland Prairie performers at the position. He also added five tackles for loss and 19 total tackles on his way to his first all-area accolade.

Nick Michalek, Sandwich, RB/DB, jr.

The run-first Indians’ leader in rushing yardage with another 1,000-plus campaign, Michalek was a first-team All-Kishwaukee River Conference pick. He was a member of the 2023 Times All-Area Football Team’s second team as a sophomore.

Sam Mitre, Marquette, OL/DL/K, sr.

“Probably one of the top guards I have coached,” outgoing Crusaders head coach Tom Jobst said of Mitre, a dominating two-way lineman and All-Chicagoland Prairie pick. Mitre was second-team all-area last fall.

Brody Rademacher, Seneca, RB/DB/KR, sr.

The 2024 Times Football Player of the Year, Rademacher racked up 1,471 yards and 17 touchdowns rushing, 49 yards and another TD receiving and a team-high 216 kick return yards (including a 93-yard kickoff return touchdown). This is his first all-area appearance.

Aydan Radke, FCW, OL/DL, sr.

A disruptive force for Flanagan-Cornell/Woodland, Radke finished up his prep career with a second consecutive appearance on the Illinois 8-Man Football Association All-State Team. This is his second consecutive appearance on our first team.

Cooper Smith, Ottawa, OL/DL, jr.

A foundational cornerstone of the Pirates’ O-line, Smith was recognized as an Interstate 8 All-Conference selection. This is his first Times All-Area Football Team honor.

Gunner Varland, Seneca, RB/DB, jr.

Seneca’s defensive MVP as well as being an all-conference standout, Varland recorded 79 tackles (66 solo, 10 for loss), notched a fumble recovery and two interceptions in addition to his 200 kick return yards and 153 offensive yards from scrimmage. This is his first all-area honor.

Jace Veith, Ottawa , RB/LB, sr.

Also awarded all-conference honors by the coaches of the Interstate 8, Veith finished as Ottawa’s leading rusher with 303 yards and added three receptions, including a 73-yarder. It is his only appearance on our All-Area Team.

Isaiah Weibel, Streator, QB/P, sr.

Weibel proved himself a worthy successor to graduated all-stater Christian Benning, completing 50% of his 200 passes for 1,236 yards and 14 touchdowns and rushing for 297 yards and three TDs. This is his lone Times All-Area Football Team appearance.

Matt Williamson, Streator, WR/DB, sr.

Streator’s all-time leading receiver had another strong season with 27 receptions for 576 yards and eight touchdowns, also adding 11 solo tackles and an INT from his safety spot. This is his third consecutive selection to The Times All-Area Football Team.

Cole Winterrowd, Streator, OL/LB, jr.

A standout offensive lineman and arguably even better defensive force for the Bulldogs – leading the team in total tackles (70), solo tackles (36) and tackles for loss (eight) – this is Winterrowd’s first all-area honor.

Second Team

Marcus Baker, Marquette, RB/LB, jr.

Braydin Eplin, Fieldcrest, RB/LB, jr.

Austin Ferracuti, Marquette, OL/LB, jr.

Luke Gebhardt, Streator, OL/DL, jr.

Cody Green, OL/DL, Ottawa, sr.

Jackson Hakes, Fieldcrest, RB/LB, sr.

Simeion Harris, Sandwich, RB/DB, sr.

Seth Jones, FCW, QB/DB, sr.

Liam Knoebel, Seneca, RB/LB, jr.

Jordan Lukes, Streator, RB/DB, sr.

Kameron Magana, Streator, RB/LB, jr.

Evan Paris, Ottawa, OL/DL, jr.

Connor Reed, FCW, WR/DB, sr.

Quinton Rome, Sandwich, OL/DL, sr.

Logan Ruddy, FCW, RB/DB, jr.

Owen Sanders, Ottawa, WR/DB, jr

Alex Schaefer, Marquette, OL/LB, so.

Cameron Shriey, Seneca, RB/LB, jr.

Riley Stevens, Streator, WR/DL, jr.

Hector Valdez, Ottawa, TE/DL, sr.

Landen Venecia, Seneca, OL/DL, jr.

Tom Walsh, Marquette, OL/DL, sr.