Friday Night Drive’s 2024 All-CCL/ESCC team

Meet Friday Night Drive’s 2024 All-CCL/ESCC team, which was selected by the Friday Night Drive staff with input from coaches across the 24-team league.

First Team

Offense

QB — Jack Elliott, Mount Carmel, sr.

Elliott built off a strong junior season by becoming one of the best players in the state this year. The Vanderbilt signee threw for 3,147 yards, 36 touchdowns and eight interceptions in 13 games this season and led the team with 858 rushing yards and 18 more touchdowns. He was named the CCL/ESCC Blue Offensive Player of the Year, earned Illinois High School Football Coaches Association All-State honors, broke a few IHSA records and led the Caravan to a third straight state championship.

RB — Drew MacPherson, Loyola, sr.

MacPherson became one of the most dynamic running backs in state both as a rusher and pass catcher. The Iowa signee rushed for 1,179 yards and 15 touchdowns, averaging 6.7 yards per carry, while catching 59 passes for 709 yards and seven touchdowns. He earned IHSFCA All-State accolades and the Blue’s Most Valuable Player, leading the Ramblers to a third straight state title.

RB — Larry Stringham, Joliet Catholic, sr.

Part of a stacked Hilltoppers running back room, Stringham led the way with impressive rushes and helped Joliet Catholic reach the Class 5A state championship game for a second straight year. Stringham rushed for 1,435 yards, averaging 7.8 yards per carry, and 14 touchdowns. He earned IHSFCA All-State honors and was named the Orange Offensive Player of the Year.

WR — Zach Washington, St. Francis, jr.

Washington was efficient in a talented Spartans wide receivers group and proved why he’s one of the top sought-after receiving prospects in the state. He caught 32 passes for 655 yards, averaging 20.5 yards per catch, and nine touchdowns while becoming a top kickoff-return threat, returning three kicks for a touchdown. Washington garnered IHSFCA All-State and All-CCL/ESCC accolades.

WR — Trenton Walker, Nazareth, jr.

Walker burst onto the scene and formed one of the top quarterback-wide receiver duos in the CCL/ESCC. He finished with 1,420 receiving yards off 77 catches, averaging 18.4 yards per catch, and 19 touchdowns. Walker earned All-CCL/ESCC honors and helped the Roadrunners win their third straight state championship.

WR — Quentin Burrell, Mount Carmel, so.

Burrell developed into a major offensive threat for the Caravan as a sophomore and became one of the top underclass receivers in the state. He became one of Elliott’s top targets and caught 75 passes for 1,257 yards, averaging 16.8 yards per game, and 17 touchdowns. Burrell earned All-CCL/ESCC accolades in a championship season.

OL — Joe Herbert, Loyola, sr.

Herbert was a key leader of a dominant Loyola offensive line that paved the way for 4,591 total yards of offense this season. The Ramblers averaged 147.6 rushing yards per game behind Herbert and the offensive line while throwing for 2,525. Herbert was named the Blue co-Lineman of the Year and will play collegiately at Sacred Heart.

OL — Malik Salah, Joliet Catholic, sr.

The Hilltoppers offensive lineman was one of the most dominant in the mega-conference and Salah was a key leader for the unit. Salah helped pave the way for an offense that totaled over 4,800 yards and scored 50 touchdowns during the season and playoffs. He earned All-CCL/ESCC honors.

OL — Jaylen Torres, St. Francis, jr.

Torres provided value on both sides of the ball for the Spartans in their push to the 5A semifinals. He had 68 pancakes/knockdowns on the offensive side and 63 tackles, seven tackles for loss, two sacks, 11 quarterback hurries and a forced fumble. Torres earned IHSFCA All-State and All-CCL/ESCC accolades.

OL — Ben Konopka, St. Viator, sr.

Konopka moved up to the first team after earning second-team honors last season by being a consistent offensive leader for the Lions. The Army signee helped pave the way for a St. Viator offense that scored 252 points and averaged 28 points per game. He was named the Purple Lineman of the Year.

OL — Jalin Strowder, Carmel, jr.

Strowder stepped in for the Corsairs wherever they needed him on the offensive line, playing both tackle positions and left guard. Carmel scored 273 points in 11 games this season behind a strong line led by Strowder. He was named the White co-Lineman of the Year.

ATH — Logan Malachuk, Nazareth, sr.

Malachuk capped his career with another historic championship season for Nazareth. He threw for 3,759 yards, breaking the Roadrunners’ career passing and total yards records, and 50 touchdowns and six interceptions along with 147 rushing yards. Malachuk earned IHSFCA All-State and Green Offensive Player of the Years honors.

Defense

DL — Gabe Kaminski, Nazareth, sr.

Kaminski finished his career with another dominant season, cementing himself as one of the top defensive players in Nazareth history. The Stanford signee had 150 tackles, 17 tackles for a loss and five sacks, setting the Roadrunners career sacks record. He garnered IHSFCA All-State and Green Defensive Player of the Year accolades.

DL — Nate Marshall, Fenwick, sr.

One of the top athletic players in the CCL/ESCC, Marshall was a major threat on both sides of the ball for the Friars. The Michigan signee finished his year with 60 tackles, 11 tackles for a loss, 5½ sacks, 13 quarterback hits, two pass breakups, one forced fumble, three fumble recoveries, four receiving touchdowns and one rushing score. Marshall was named the White MVP and earned IHSFCA All-State.

DL — Brad Fitzgibbon, Marist, sr.

Fitzgibbon provided big plays on the field and key leadership in Mike Fitzgerald’s first season as Marist’s head coach. The Iowa signee had 46 tackles, nine tackles for a loss and 6½ sacks for a defense that limited opponents to 15.6 points per game. He earned Orange Lineman of the Year and IHSFCA All-State honorable mention.

DL — Nicky Castaldo, Montini, sr.

Castaldo was a key leader for one of the top defensive lines in the CCL/ESCC for the Broncos. He finished with 96 tackles, including 14 for a loss, and forced and recovered a fumble. Castaldo earned IHSFCA All-State and All-CCL/ESCC honors to help Montini win the Class 3A state championship.

LB — Justin Buckner, St. Rita, sr.

Buckner was an electric defender for the Mustangs who always found his way to the ball. He had 108 tackles, 16 for a loss, five sacks, one forced fumble, one recovered fumble and one special teams touchdown. Buckner was named the Green MVP, earned IHSFCA All-State accolades and helped St. Rita reach the 7A semifinals.

LB — Daniel Rouse, Joliet Catholic, sr.

A top athlete on a Hilltoppers defense filled with them, Rouse made key plays and tackles throughout a run to the 5A title game. Rouse ended his career with 87 tackles, six tackles for a loss, three sacks, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and one interception. He earned IHSFCA All-State and Orange Defensive Player of the Year honors.

LB — Matt Mucha, Mount Carmel, sr.

An experienced leader with plenty of championship pedigree, Mucha led the defense in the Caravan’s push for a third straight title. Mucha finished with 109 tackles, 15 tackles for a loss, six sacks and three pass breakups. He earned IHSFCA All-State honorable mention and Blue co-Defensive Player of the Year honors.

LB — Jack Paris, Fenwick, sr.

Paris built off Marshall’s pressure at the front of the line and made offenses pay with dominant play in the middle of the defense. He had 91 tackles, 17½ tackles for a loss, two sacks, two quarterback hits, three pass breakups, two forced fumbles and rushed for a touchdown. Paris was named the White Defensive Player of the Year.

DB — Conner Stack, Brother Rice, sr.

Stack was one the top leaders for a Crusaders defense that was one of the best in the CCL/ESCC. He ended his season with 57 tackles, three interceptions, two sacks, four quarterback hurries and also rushed for two touchdowns. Stack earned the Blue’s co-Defensive Player of the Year.

DB — Dayvion Ellis, St. Viator, sr.

Ellis ended his career by doing what he’s always done: provide a boost in all three phases of the game. He finished his season with 27 tackles and three interceptions along with 930 receiving yards on 46 catches, averaging 20.2 yards per carry, and 13 touchdowns. Ellis earned IHSFCA All-State and was named the Purple MVP.

DB — Donovan Robinson, Loyola, sr.

Robinson made an impact for both the Ramblers’ defense and special teams, with opponents choosing to go away from him as a defender and returner. The Washington signee finished with 40 tackles, three for a loss, one sack, six pass breakups, two interceptions and two kickoffs returned for a touchdown. He earned All-CCL/ESCC accolades.

ST — Gavin Hagan, Providence, sr.

Hagan did it all for the Celtics once again this season. He rushed for 397 yards and seven touchdowns, caught seven passes for 54 yards, made 28 tackles, one for a loss, had four pass breakups and returned a punt and a kickoff for a touchdown. Hagan was named the Orange Offensive Player of the Year and earned IHSFCA All-State honors.

Second Team

Offense

QB — Ryan Fitzgerald, Loyola, sr.

RB — John McAuliffe, Marist, sr.

RB — Nick Herman, St. Rita, sr.

WR — Cooper Lehman, Mount Carmel, sr.

WR — Braden Peevy, DePaul Prep, sr.

WR — Jake Cestone, Nazareth, jr.

OL — Sam Stec, Nazareth, sr.

OL — Dom Bitz, DePaul, sr.

OL — JP Bobak, St. Ignatius, sr.

OL — Rico Schrieber, Marist, jr.

OL — James Alexander, IC Catholic, jr.

ATH — Juju Rodriguez, DePaul, sr.

Defense

DL — Charlie Stec, Brother Rice, sr.

DL — Michael Casper, DePaul, sr.

DL — JC Hayes, Montini, sr.

DL — Ian Campbell, Joliet Catholic, jr.

LB — Jacob Bylina, St. Laurence, sr.

LB — Ronnie Gordon, Marian Catholic, sr.

LB — Jaxon Lane, Montini, sr.

LB — Ryan Palmeri, St. Francis, sr.

DB — Bryan Scales, Marmion, sr.

DB — Le’Javier Payne, Mount Carmel, sr.

DB — Nick Irion, Montini, sr.

ST — Noah Sur, Fenwick, jr.

Honorable Mention

QB: Israel Abrams, Montini, so.; Will Bryk, IC Catholic, sr.; Cooper Kmet, St. Viator, sr.; Ryan Kubacki, Benet, sr.; Jacob Ritter, Marist, sr.; Trae Taylor, Carmel, so.; Jack Wanzung, St. Ignatius, sr.; Jamen Williams, Fenwick, jr.

RB: Liam Hynes, St. Ignatius, sr.; Cory Les, St. Laurence, jr.; Nate Magrini, Joliet Catholic, sr.; Jalen Morgan, Fenwick, sr.; Jeremiah Peterson, Montini, sr.; Marty Radgowski, Benet, sr.

WR: Andrew Bjorson, Fenwick, sr.; Will Carlson, Loyola, sr.; Luke Doyle, Benet, jr.; Santino Florio, Montini, sr.; Jimmie Maxson III, Brother Rice, sr.; Dario Milivojevic, St. Francis, jr.; Gavin O’Brochta, Marist, sr.; Luke Olson, Niles Notre Dame, sr.; Jimmy Penley, Nazareth, sr.; Kyle Richardson, St. Laurence, sr.; Treston Smith, Fenwick. sr.; Gavin Vradenburg, Loyola, sr.; Luke Wildes, Benet, sr.; Ian Willis, St. Francis, sr.

OL: Matt Anderson, St. Francis, jr.; Tyler Isaacson, Loyola, sr.; Cameron Juricich, Joliet Catholic, sr.; Michael O’Rourke, Benet, sr.; Bryce Tencza, Providence, jr.; Isaac Zackavec, Marian Catholic, jr.

DL: Nicholas Armour, Leo, sr.; Aiden Burns, Fenwick, sr.; Nolan Daly, Nazareth, sr.; Thomas Ghislandi, Loyola, sr.; Patrick Gilboy, Fenwick, sr.; Braeden Jones, Mount Carmel, jr.; Anquan Kemp, Marist, sr.; Gavin Neil, Marian Catholic, sr.; Zach Pomatto, Joliet Catholic, sr.; Declan Walsh, Benet, sr.

LB: Aidan Castette, DePual, sr.; Charlie Daly, Loyola, sr.; Ricky Ericksen, Marist, sr.; Gianni Giunta, DePaul, sr.; Gavin King, Loyola, jr.; Liam Kolinski, St. Francis, sr.; Max Mendoza, Loyola, sr.; Mateusz Nycz, Marmion, sr.; Christian Pierce, Brother Rice, sr.; Michael Roche, Marmion, sr.

DB: Zachary Beitler, Joliet Catholic, sr.; Avry Bellis, DePaul, sr.; Anthony Brown, Joliet Catholic, sr.; Tremayne Cheers, Marian, sr.; Liam Doyle, St. Ignatius, sr.; Zander Gorman, Mount Carmel, sr.; Vince Irion, Montini, sr.; Luke Leverett, Providence, sr.; Jordan McKie, Carmel, sr.; Jayden Mikulski, Providence, sr.; Charlie Prior, Loyola, sr.; Liam Rooney, Benet, sr.; Leo Soriano, St. Patrick, sr.; Tommy Theis, Fenwick, jr.; Seth Valeri, St. Francis, sr.