Prep Redzone Illinois: 8A All State Offensive Edition

The season is over and we're back at it with the All-State Awards for 8A-1A to highlight these student-athletes accomplishments this season. It was a grueling 9 Week Regular Season and one heck of a road to IHSA State for those that made the playoffs. After reviewing the film of over 700 athletes in the class of 8A, we're diving into the 8A All-State Offensive Edition. Without further ado, let's dive into it. <hr /> 1st Team QB [player_tooltip player_id="135826" first="Jake" last="Stearney"] 6'3 185 23' Loyola Academy <a href="https://twitter.com/jakestearney15">Twitter</a> Mr. Stearney has easy velocity to all levels of the field making level 1 2 & 3 throws, upon doing so he adds a good touch on the ball making it easier for his receivers to pull in passes. When working in platform he has the pocket presence to navigate/climb the pocket well and has his upper/lower body working well together. His legs are a legit threat to the defense keeping them honest as he uses his frame to play through contact and can keep the chains moving. This is shown when running the option and on RPOs as he can always pull the ball down to scramble as a last resort. If he doesn't pull the ball down during RPOs, he's able to get the ball out quickly and does a good job selling play action to get the opposing linebackers to bite up in run support leaving a big gap in the middle of the field. QB [player_tooltip player_id="155555" first="Hayden" last="Timosciek"] 6'7 235 22' Lockport Township <a href="https://twitter.com/18Timosciek">Twitter</a> Mr. Timosciek works in platform, here he's able to put zip on the ball and make all level throws (level 1, level 2, & level 3). He navigates the pocket well as he gets the ball off under pressure and can climb the pocket to find his man to deliver a strike downfield. If he doesn't find anyone open downfield he can pull the ball down to scramble to gain a few yards on the play to stay ahead of the sticks. He has a fluid arm motion with his upper and lower half working in unison, this helps him make throws in tight windows as seen below. This young man keeps his poise in the pocket and does a good job as the signal caller for this offense. RB [player_tooltip player_id="65732" first="Mike" last="Sajenko"] 6'0 190 22' Maine South <a href="https://twitter.com/MikeSajenko">Twitter</a> Mr. Sajenko is creative, he understands he can attack defenders in multiple ways and can cut violently when needed to. When he does so, he makes defenders look foolish as he makes them miss in open space. This young man keeps a low center of gravity as he runs through weak arm tackles and fights for extra yards. In the air attack, he takes advantage of favorable matchups out of the slot as most defenders don't have a chance to keep up with his quickness and lateral agility. When catching out of the backfield, he gets vertical quickly. His extra gear is what helps him blow past pursuit angles and makes him a speedy threat when split out wide to win over the top. He has a good burst and bounce to evade tackles as he looks comfortable in the open field as both a receiver and as a running back. RB [player_tooltip player_id="20874" first="Maurice" last="Edwards"] 6'0 200 22' Warren Township <a href="https://twitter.com/asapmoe20">Twitter</a> Mr. Edwards has the vision to find running lanes quickly between the tackles and burst through the line of scrimmage, pair this with the next gear that he has and he outruns pursuit angles as well as blows by the 2nd level of defenders. His long speed is very impressive as he's able to keep top speed throughout his long runs limiting the chances of being hawked down. Upon securing the handoff, he gets vertical quickly and fights for extra yards by playing through the whistle. He keeps a low center of gravity which he uses to bounce off hits and keep his feet driving breaking arm tackles in the process. His body control is also impressive as he's able to stay up and regain balance as he's falling to the floor resulting in breaking long runs on the play. WR [player_tooltip player_id="155226" first="Malik" last="Armstrong"] 6'2 165 22' Minooka <a href="https://twitter.com/_Marmstrong14">Twitter</a> Mr. Armstrong can line up outside and in the slot, both of which he causes matchup problems for the opposing defense and can win over top. Once he secures the catch, he gets vertical quickly as he hits his next gear to outrun pursuit angles and attacks the ball at the highest point to come away with contested catches. He's quick off the line of scrimmage which he uses to gain a step on the defender, stack him up and break him off at the top of the route creating separation. When he isn't taking the top off of the defense, he's making the catch in traffic. He's also used in the return game where he sets his team up in good starting field position. WR [player_tooltip player_id="65846" first="Jalen" last="Johnson"] 6'3 195 22' Metea Valley <a href="https://twitter.com/jalenkjohnson">Twitter</a> Mr. Johnson is quick off the line of scrimmage which he uses to gain a step on the defender before stacking and breaking him off at the top of his route to create separation. He goes up for 50/50m balls, can win routes over the top with his speed, and attacks the ball at the highest point to come away with the contested catch. Upon securing the catch, he gets vertical quickly and can make the first defender miss in open space showcasing his elusiveness. When he isn't making contested catches, he's making the catch in traffic between defenders with his long catch radius as he can line up in the slot or outside. WR [player_tooltip player_id="131532" first="Grant" last="Larkin"] 6'0 180 23' Neuqua Valley <a href="https://twitter.com/GrantLarkin1">Twitter</a> Mr. Larkin is a deadly return man that not only gives his team good starting field position but can also return them for TDs. This slot WR is quick off the line of scrimmage which he uses to stack the defender and break him off at the top of the route creating separation. He has the lateral quickness to turn the corner as well as the vision to see cutback lanes when lined up in the backfield. Upon securing the catch, he gets vertical quickly before he weaves in and out of defenders. He keeps his feet driving to break weak arm tackles, can make the first defender miss showcasing his elusiveness, and changes his gears quickly. This young man can also find the soft spot in zone defense. TE [player_tooltip player_id="223684" first="Grant" last="Zak"] 6'4 180 22' Plainfield North <a href="https://twitter.com/Grantzak11">Twitter</a> Mr. Zak is an ideal redzone target for his quarterback as he can box out defenders effectively by getting sound position and finishing plays at the highest point with good hand strength through contact. He can stretch the field vertically when lined up in the slot and at the tight end position. His frame comes in hands to win through contact and above the rim over defenders to come away with contested catches. This young man has a clear understanding of spacing against zone as he settles down well and makes himself available in appropriate windows against zone coverage. In the run game, he can get to 2nd level blocks to cut off linebacker flow. OL [player_tooltip player_id="20898" first="Deuce" last="McGuire"] 6'5 295 22' Marist <a href="https://twitter.com/deucemcguire">Twitter</a> Mr. McGuire latches on quickly while getting inside hand placement, once he does he throws the defensive lineman to the ground with his aggressive playstyle. He's powerful in both the run and pass game where he has a good initial push before finishing plays by driving the defensive lineman downfield 5+ yards. In pass pro, he uses his lateral movement to get out of his stance quickly and latch on quickly to neutralize the pass rush. This young man is extremely physically at the point of attack, uses a quick extension of hands to latch onto the defensive lineman quickly, and works to 2nd level blocks cutting off linebacker flow all while firing off the ball. OL [player_tooltip player_id="65763" first="Thomas" last="Hubbard"] 6'4 260 22' Bartlett <a href="https://twitter.com/bubbahubbard1">Twitter</a> Mr. Hubbard latches onto the defensive lineman quickly, once's he latches on it's over with as he drives the defensive lineman off the ball making it very difficult to disengage. He has quick extensions and is powerful in the run game which results in a good initial push at the line of scrimmage. This young man is physical at the point of attack which is how he routinely puts defenders into the ground in the run game and fires off the ball. In pass protection, he uses his lateral movement to get out of his stance quickly and patiently await the rushing defender to get into arms length before latching on. OL [player_tooltip player_id="20905" first="Alexander" last="Knaperek"] 6'2 285 22' Lincoln-Way East <a href="https://twitter.com/alex_knaperek">Twitter</a> Mr. Knaperek latches on getting inside hand placement and finishes plays by routinely putting the defensive lineman into the ground. He works up to the 2nd level cutting off linebacker flow and gets a good initial push at the line of scrimmage to create a running lane for the ball carrier. He fires off the ball and is aggressive at the point of attack. In pass protection, he patiently awaits the rushing defender to get within arms length before latching on and neutralizing the pass rush. OL [player_tooltip player_id="155266" first="Jack" last="McGarry"] 6'5 295 22' Hinsdale Central <a href="https://twitter.com/jack_mcgarry61">Twitter</a> Mr. McGarry latches onto the defensive lineman quickly getting inside hand placement and washes the defensive lineman down by keeping his feet churning through the whistle. He has a good initial punch which goes hand in hand with him finishing plays as he routinely puts defenders into the ground in the run game. In pass protection, he uses his lateral movement in pass sets to get out of his stance quickly and shows his hands to neutralize the pass rush. OL Ryan Yabi 6'3 275 22' Glenbard North <a href="https://twitter.com/Ryan_Yabi">Twitter</a> Mr. Yabi latches on the defensive lineman with his quick extension and cuts off linebacker flow when pulling giving the ball carrier a lane to run through off his block. He washes the defensive lineman down as he's physical at the point of attack and has a good initial push at the line of scrimmage. This young man finishes plays by routinely putting defenders into the ground in both the run and pass game by firing off the ball. 2nd Team QB [player_tooltip player_id="20864" first="Nevan" last="Cremascoli"] 6'4 205 22' New Trier <a href="https://twitter.com/nevancremascoli">Twitter</a> Mr. Cremascoli has good pocket presence as he navigates well by climbing to find his man downfield as it's collapsing around him. This young man can make intermediate and deep shots consistently and has a fluid arm motion with his upper/lower body in working in unicen. His legs keep defenses honest as he runs the option and can keep the chains moving when doing so. When working out of platform, he keeps his eyes downfield and can create chunk plays off scrips. When working in platform, he can get the ball off under pressure and puts a touch on the deep ball when making level 3 throws. QB [player_tooltip player_id="154757" first="Rowan" last="Keefe"] 6'3 180 22' Maine South <a href="https://twitter.com/KeefeRowan">Twitter</a> Mr. Keefe can add another dimension to an offense with his legs as it keeps the opposing defense honest. He's a weapon when running RPOs and options, if he doesn't keep the ball on RPOs he can get the ball out quickly. This young man can navigate the pocket well to evade pressure. Upon doing so, he works out of structure where he finds his man downfield as he throws on the run. When making short and deep throws he can consistently put the ball in the receiver's basket. When working in platform, he can make level 1 & 3 throws where he adds a touch on the deep ball and gets the ball off under pressure. RB [player_tooltip player_id="65720" first="Marco" last="Maldonado"] 5'11 185 22' RB Loyola Academy <a href="https://twitter.com/mmarco_4">Twitter</a> Mr. Maldonado maintains a low center of gravity which he uses to run through weak arm tackles and fight for extra yards. He understands that he can attack defenders in multiple ways and uses quick cuts to make defenders miss. In the air attack, he can catch out of the backfield and gets vertical quickly upon doing so. When he works out of the slot he takes advantage of favorable matchups as defenders have a limited chance to keep up with his quickness and lateral agility. He has that extra gear which he uses to blow past pursuit angles and is effective when working between the tackles as he's quick to attack holes as he often can push for extra yards after contact. RB Jordan Skolmar 5'11 190 22' Stevenson <a href="https://twitter.com/JordanSkolmar">Twitter</a> Mr. Skolmar can catch out of the backfield, upon doing so he gets vertical quickly hitting that next gear. He's creative as he understands that he can attack defenders in multiple ways and can cut violently with quick cuts to make defenders miss in open space. This young man takes advantage of favorable matchups as his quickness and lateral agility make it difficult for defenders to keep up. When working between the tackles, he's explosive as he hits cutback lanes hard and can string along moves together extremely well further showcasing his elusiveness and spatial awareness. He's also a deadly return man that sets his team up in good starting field position as well as having the chance to return them for TDs. WR Thomas Skokna 5'8 160 22' Hinsdale Central <a href="https://twitter.com/TSkokna">Twitter</a> Mr. Skokna is quick off the line of scrimmage and attacks the ball at the highest point to come down with the contested catch. He can line up outside or in the slot, both of which he can take the top off of the opposing defense with his speed and win over the top. Upon securing the catch, he gets vertical quickly and can make the first defender miss showcasing his elusiveness. He can find the soft spot in zone defense, go up for 50/50 balls, and tracks the ball well. This young man keeps his feet driving to break weak arm tackles as he changes gears quickly and is used in the return game to set his team up in good starting field position. Also is used as a Wildcat QB. WR [player_tooltip player_id="136096" first="Kamau" last="Ransom"] 6'2 185 22' Evanston Township <a href="https://twitter.com/KamauRansom">Twitter</a> Mr. Ransom is quick off the line of scrimmage where he can win over top with his speed. He's a deep threat that has a nice double move and stems his post route inside to gain leverage on the defensive back as he attacks the ball at the highest point to come away with the contested catch. His route tree is impressive as he can get in and out of his breaks on a multitude of routes, gets vertical quickly upon securing the catch, and can find the soft spot in zone coverage. He also stalk blocks downfield in the run game. WR [player_tooltip player_id="59709" first="Eli" last="Reed"] 5'11 190 22' Downers Grove South <a href="https://twitter.com/elireed07">Twitter</a> Mr. Reed is quick off the line of scrimmage which he uses to win over the top with his speed. Upon securing the catch, he gets vertical quickly as he hits that next gear to outrun pursuit angles. He uses a toe tap to secure the TD catch in the endzone and attacks the ball at the highest point to come away with the contested catch. When defenders try to bring him down, he keeps his feet driving to break weak arm tackles as he's in the process of weaving in and out of defenders. Once he stacks the defenders he breaks him off at the top of the route and is used in the return game to set his team up in good starting field position. TE [player_tooltip player_id="65741" first="Chris" last="Petrucci"] 6'5 210 22' Maine South <a href="https://twitter.com/ChrisPetrucci19">Twitter</a> Mr. Petrucci can box out defenders effectively by getting sound position and finishing plays at the highest point with good hand strength through contact. He can stretch the field vertically when split out wide and from the tight end position. His good frame comes in handy to win through contact and play above the rim. This young man settles down well and makes himself available in appropriate windows in zone coverage showcasing his understanding of spacing. He has a solid route tree which has typically consisted of underneath routes and quick hitters while still mixing in fly routes downfield. OL Marc Koumoundouros 6'3 285 22' Glenbard East <a href="https://twitter.com/marckoumo65">Twitter</a> Mr. Koumoundouros finishes plays by being physical at the point of attack and routinely putting defenders into the ground. He has good hand placement when latching onto the defensive lineman quickly and can get to the 2nd level blocks cutting off linebacker flow. In pass protection, he gets out of his stance quickly and patiently awaits the attacking defensive lineman to get into arms length before latching on. In both attacks, he fires off the ball with his aggressive playstyle. OL [player_tooltip player_id="160623" first="Michael" last="Kostantonov"] 6'4 315 23' Loyola Academy <a href="https://twitter.com/mkostantonov55">Twitter</a> Mr. Kostantonov latches onto the defensive lineman quickly in both pass protection and in the run game. He finishes plays by being physical at the point of attack and routinely puts defenders into the ground. His power is showcased with his good ability to drive defenders off the ball and in pass protection he gets out of his stance quickly before latching on to diminish the defender's pass rush. OL [player_tooltip player_id="155267" first="Paulie" last="Robertson"] 6'0 265 22' Glenbard North <a href="https://twitter.com/PRobertson67">Twitter</a> Mr. Robertson fires off the ball and finishes plays by being physical at the point of attack where he routinely puts the defender into the ground. He has good hand placement by getting his hands inside and latches onto the defensive lineman quickly. When he's pulling he easily gets out and attacks defenders as he moves on from his initial block in open space. His power is showcased with his goo ability to drive defenders off the ball opening up big running lanes for the ball carrier. OL [player_tooltip player_id="247197" first="Tyler" last="Tortorich"] 6'2 265 23' Plainfield North <a href="https://twitter.com/TortorichTyler">Twitter</a> Mr. Tortorich latches onto the defensive lineman by getting inside hand placement and gets to 2nd level blocks cutting off linebacker flow. When he's pulling he opens up running lanes by blocking in space as he either seals the outside linebacker, picks up the safety playing the alley, or kicks out the corner. His power is demonstrated with his ability to drive defenders off the ball. In pass protection, he uses his lateral movement to diminish the pass rush. He had an impressive clip in his highlights where he uses his quick extension to neutralize the defender's pass rush before he passes along that defender to the OT to pick up the blitzing linebacker coming into his gap resulting in keeping the pocket clean for his quarterback. OL John Talanges 6'3 255 22' Loyola Academy <a href="https://twitter.com/JohnTalanges">Twitter</a> Mr. Talanges gets to 2nd level blocks cutting off linebacker flow and latches onto the defensive lineman by getting inside hand placement. He finishes plays by being physical at the point of attack and routinely putting defenders into the ground. When he's pulling, he finds 2nd level blocks in open space to seal the outside linebacker or pick up the safety playing the alley. In pass protection, he gets out of his stand and has a quick extension to pick up the blitz and neutralize the pass rush at the point of attack. Honorable Mention QB [player_tooltip player_id="249504" first="Aidan" last="Lucero"] 6'2 210 22' Warren Township <a href="https://twitter.com/AidanLucero3">Twitter</a> QB Dontrell Jackson 5'11 185 22' Marist <a href="https://twitter.com/trelljackson17">Twitter</a> QB [player_tooltip player_id="168918" first="Aidan" last="Gray"] 6'3 190 23' Naperville North <a href="https://twitter.com/AidanGray05">Twitter</a> RB [player_tooltip player_id="161321" first="Dominik" last="Ball"] 5'9 175 24' Palatine <a href="https://twitter.com/DominikBall">Twitter</a> RB [player_tooltip player_id="155071" first="Darquel" last="Sanders"] 6'2 196 Oswego East <a href="https://twitter.com/DarquelS">Twitter</a> WR [player_tooltip player_id="118978" first="Ryan" last="Little"] 6'4 200 22' Lockport Township <a href="https://twitter.com/RyanScoresTds">Twitter</a> WR [player_tooltip player_id="158044" first="Charlie" last="Specht"] 6'1 170 23' York <a href="https://twitter.com/SpechtCharlie">Twitter</a> WR [player_tooltip player_id="160490" first="I'Marion" last="Stewart"] 5'10 165 24' Bolingbrook <a href="https://twitter.com/IMarion_Stewart">Twitter</a> WR [player_tooltip player_id="110715" first="Jacob" last="Bostick"] 6'3 170 22' Palatine <a href="https://twitter.com/JacobBostick5">Twitter</a> TE Jake Wantroba 6'2 185 22' Sandburg <a href="https://twitter.com/JakeWantroba">Twitter</a> TE [player_tooltip player_id="147214" first="Finn" last="Cohan"] 22' New Trier <a href="https://twitter.com/finn_cohan">Twitter</a> OL [player_tooltip player_id="65873" first="Chris" last="Terek"] 6'6 295 23' Glenbard West <a href="https://twitter.com/cterek77">Twitter</a> OL Matt Sheehan 6'3 255 22' Marist <a href="https://twitter.com/matt_sheehan_70">Twitter</a> OL Ben Meehan 6'3 250 23' Marist <a href="https://twitter.com/benmeehan10">Twitter</a> <hr /> Be sure to follow <a href="https://twitter.com/PRZJordan">@PRZJordan</a> regarding news & information for Illinois High School Football as well as <a href="https://twitter.com/prepredzoneIL">@PrepRedzoneIL</a>. 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