2024 NewsTribune Football All-Area Team

A look at the top football players in the NewsTribune area during the 2024 season.

FIRST TEAM

OFFENSE

Casey Etheridge, jr., Princeton, RB: The repeat NewsTribune Offensive Football Player of the Year had another big season for the Tigers. He rushed for area highs of 1,706 yards and 25 touchdowns on 200 attempts to help Princeton to another quarterfinal berth. He was unanimous All-Three Rivers Conference East Division at running back and honorable mention at linebacker. He was Illinois Football Coaches Association Class 3A All State honorable mention.

Braiden Freeman, sr., Mendota, WR: Freeman was a versatile weapon for the Trojans as he caught passes, ran the ball and threw several passes. He had 37 receptions for 344 yards and three TDs and 56 carries for 257 yards and two TDs. Freeman was All-Three Rivers Conference East Division first team.

Noah LaPorte, sr., Princeton, TE: The Northwestern recruit was dominant on both sides of the ball. He missed multiple games because of injury but finished with 30 receptions for 395 yards and an area-best five TD catches. As a defensive back, he had 44 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble. He was unanimous All-Three Rivers Conference East Division on both sides of the ball and was voted Illinois High School Football Coaches Association Class 3A All State.

Eddie Lorton, sr., Fieldcrest, RB: Lorton was Fieldcrest’s workhorse on offense. He ran for 707 yards – fifth in the area – and four TDs on 130 carries while catching 22 passes for 202 yards and a TD. He also had a punt return TD. He was named All-Heart of Central Illinois first team at running back and second team at linebacker.

Gavin Marquez, sr., St. Bede, OL: Marquez started the season at tight end/H-back but moved to right tackle in Week 4 because of injury and played every snap the rest of the season. He also was a starter on the defensive line. Marquez was All-Chicagoland Prairie Conference on both sides of the ball.

Landon Marquez, so., St. Bede, RB: Marquez had a strong sophomore season for the Bruins, running for 742 yards – fourth in the area – and six TDs on 164 attempts. Marquez was voted All-Chicagoland Prairie Conference and was St. Bede’s Team MVP.

Bracin Patnoe, sr., Bureau Valley, OL: Patnoe was a standout on both sides of the ball, earning All-Lincoln Trail/Prairieland Conference Large Division first team. He helped pave the way for an offense that averaged 230.7 rushing yards and 25.3 points per game. Patnoe made 51 tackles with two tackles for loss.

Rhett Pearson, jr., Princeton, OL: Pearson anchored the offensive line as the team’s center. He helped Princeton run for 3,320 yards and average 38.2 points per game. He was named All-Three Rivers Conference Mississippi Division first team on offense and second team as a defensive lineman.

Marion Persich, fr., La Salle-Peru, QB: Persich made an immediate impact for the Cavaliers as he completed 100 of 189 passes for an area-best 1,398 yards and nine touchdowns. He also ran for more than 300 yards and five TDs. He was named All-Interstate 8 Conference.

Aiden Redcliff, jr., Hall-Putnam County, RB: Redcliff was the main offensive weapon for the Red Devils. He ran for 782 yards – third in the area – and eight TDs on 170 carries. He was voted All-Three Rivers Conference East Division second team as a running back and linebacker.

Cameron Spradling, sr., Hall, OL: The tackle anchored the Red Devils’ offensive line. He was voted All-Three Rivers Conference Mississippi Division second team.

Anthony Vujanov, sr., Princeton, OL: The senior guard helped pave the way for a Princeton offense that averaged 301.8 rushing yards and 38.2 points en route to a Class 3A quarterfinal appearance. He was named All-Three Rivers Conference East Division first team.

DEFENSE

Arthur Burden, sr., Princeton, LB: Burden was a tackling machine, leading the Tigers with 98 stops. He also had 10.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and two interceptions as he helped Princeton to a Class 3A quarterfinal appearance. He was named All-Three Rivers Conference Mississippi Division first team.

Ace Christiansen, sr., Princeton, DB: Christiansen was solid in the secondary, making 42 tackles and intercepting three passes. He also was a strong No. 2 running back for the Tigers, rushing for 690 yards and nine TDs and catching eight passes for 96 yards and a TD. He was unanimous All-Three Rivers Conference Mississippi Division as a flex player on offense and first team as a defensive back.

Elijah Endress, sr., Bureau Valley, LB/P: Despite missing two games, Endress led the team in tackles with 75. He also had 10.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. Offensively, Endress ranked second in the area in rushing with 934 yards and 11 TDs. He had 19 punts for 667 yards (35.1 average) with a long of 63 yards and three punts inside the 20. He was All-Lincoln Trail/Prairieland Conference Large Division first team and Illinois High School Football Coaches Association Class 2A All State honorable mention.

Phillip Gray, sr., St Bede, DB: The free safety led St. Bede in tackles with 53 while also intercepting three passes. On offense, he had 14 receptions for 217 yards and three TDs. Gray was voted All-Chicagoland Prairie Conference at DB.

Common Green, Princeton, LB: Green had a knack for big plays for Princeton. He had 79 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, two sacks and a forced fumble and a blocked a punt. Green also played fullback, rushing for 265 yards and three TDs. He was All-Three Rivers Conference Mississippi Division first team.

Nick Hachenberger, jr., La Salle-Peru, LB: Hachenberger was L-P’s leading tackler with 60 stops. He also had three tackles for loss, two sacks and an interception. Hachenberger was voted All-Interstate 8 Conference.

Mikey Hartman, sr., La Salle-Peru, DB: Hartman was a strong two-way player for the Cavaliers. He had 35 tackles with one tackle for loss, an interception and three passes defended. Hartman led the area in receiving with 475 yards. He caught two TD passes. Hartman was named All-Interstate 8 Conference.

Bryce Helms, sr., Bureau Valley, DB: Helms was a strong free safety for BV, making 67 tackles. He also played quarterback for the Storm, completing 54 of 103 passes for 746 yards and nine TDs with four interceptions while rushing for 483 yards and four scores. Helms was named All-Lincoln Trail/Prairieland Conference Large Division first team.

Andy Medina, sr., La Salle-Peru, DL/LB: Medina was the leader of the L-P defense that was second in the area in scoring defense, allowing 26.1 points per game. He played defensive end and linebacker for the Cavs, finishing with 26.5 tackles, 0.5 sacks and a forced fumble. Medina was voted All-Interstate 8 Conference.

Ian Morris, sr., Princeton, LB/K: Morris had another strong season at linebacker, making 74 tackles, five tackles for loss and two sacks while forcing and recovering a fumble. Morris added kicking duties this fall. He made 5 of 6 field goals, including a school-record 49-yarder, and connected on 40 of 47 extra points. Morris was All-Three Rivers Conference Mississippi Division at linebacker and kicker.

Cade Odell, sr., Princeton, DL: The 2024 NewsTribune Defensive Football Player of the Year was a dominant force on both sides of the line. He made 74 tackles, seven tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. He was unanimous All-Three Rivers Conference Mississippi Division on both sides of the ball and was Illinois High School Football Coaches Association Class 3A All State.

Ryan Wasilewski, sr., Bureau Valley, LB/DB: Wasilewski was a versatile player for the Storm defense, playing linebacker and defensive back. He made 69 tackles with 3 tackles for loss and an interception.

HONORABLE MENTION

Ayden Andrade, sr., Bureau Valley, DL; Adrian Arzola, sr., La Salle-Peru, RB/WR/DB; Aidan Besler, sr, Bureau Valley, OL; Braden Curran, jr., Hall, RB/DB; Gavin Evans, jr., Mendota, LB; Grady Gillan, sr., St. Bede, LB; Jackson Hakes, sr., Fieldcrest, LB; Owen Hartman, jr., Princeton, OL/DL; Brady Hartz, jr., Bureau Valley, RB/WR/DB; Halden Hueneburg, sr., St. Bede, RB/LB; Jack Jablonski, sr., LB; William Lott, sr., Princeton, QB/DB; Cameron Oliver, sr., La Salle-Peru, DL; Wyatt Ossman, jr., Mendota, LB; Jordan Reinhardt, sr., Princeton, P; Carson Riva, jr., St. Bede, WR/DB; Ryan Soliman, sr., St. Bede, K; Joe Stewart, jr., Mendota, TE; Cameron Taylor, sr., La Salle-Peru, OL/DL