2023 IL ALL-STATE HONORABLE MENTION: 5A UNDERCLASSMAN

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's a rare thing in the Land of Lincoln for an underclassman to be named to the All-State Team. Of the 18 players named to the 5A All-State Honorable Mention Team, 5 of them were juniors. Below are the 5 underclassmen who earned 5A All-State Honorable Mention Honors this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["331577"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Wright is a dynamic two-way player who earned IHSFCA 5A All-State Honorable Mention Honors following his junior season at Hillcrest. He measures in at 6'0, 185 lbs and excels at both running back and safety. On offense, Wright tallied 1,156 all purpose yards and 20 total touchdowns. He is highly elusive and has tremendous breakaway speed to out run defensive backs at the third level. On defense, he impressed with 40 tackles, 5 interceptions, and 2 forced fumbles. Wright's speed translates to both sides of the ball, as he moves swiftly and is incredibly sudden. Wright could finish next season as one of the top recruits in the Class of 2025.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["278899"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"The junior tailback out of Marion Catholic burst onto the scene this season, rushing for 1,163 yards and 17 touchdowns in just 8 games and earning IHSFCA 5A All-State Honorable Mention Honors. Lofton, who measures in at 5'10, 200 lbs, is a bruising and speedy back who rarely goes down on first contact. He possesses elite speed that makes him a homerun threat every time he touches the ball. Additionally, Lofton has tremendous vision and smoothly weaves in and out of cuts. This do-it-all back  is a rising star in the state of Illinois. Keep an eye out for Lofton next season in his senior campaign.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"Cale Kimbro","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"6'3u0022","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"Mattoon","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_2_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Kimbro is a star middle linebacker out of Mattoon. The 6'3, 200 lbs junior earned IHSFCA 5A All-State Honorable Mention Honors after his dominant fall season. Kimbro possesses nearly every trait an elite level linebacker needs, including size, speed, instincts, and physicality. Starting with his size, Kimbro has the frame to continue to add weight while maintaining his speed. Speaking of speed, he is highly athletic and gets downhill in a flash. Instinctually, Kimbro can diagnose run plays, scrape to the ball, and finish with a strong tackle. That's where his physicality shines most, as Kimbro often knocks the opposing ball carrier backwards at the point of contact. Kimbro is a hidden gem within the state who is ready to dominate once again in his senior season.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"Ty Dykes","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"2406","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"Metamora","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_3_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Dykes is a 6'0, 235 lbs junior out of Metamora who earned IHSFCA 5A All-State Honorable Mention Honors. He is a true two-way player, as Dykes is just as dominant at offensive guard as he is at defensive end/tackle. He plays with a strong base, low pad level, and great physicality on both sides of the ball. At defensive line, Dykes has a quick first step and defends the run with great physicality, shedding blocks and finishing with strong tackles. On offense, Dykes is at his best when he is on the move. As a pulling guard, his athleticism and physicality shines throughout his tape. Keep an eye on this rising star in Dykes during his senior campaign.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["331521"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"The 6'1, 175 lbs playmaker out of Rochelle Township had an electrifying junior season, ultimately earning IHSFCA 5A All-State Honorable Mention Honors. He is the true definition of an athlete, as Gensler is sure to find himself being recruited as a safety, running back, and returner. Anytime he touches the ball, Gensler's elite speed and shiftiness is on display. Once he gets a full head of steam, good luck catching him. Defensively, Gensler's acceleration and athleticism is evident in both coverage and when coming downhill to tackle. This rising star in the Class of 2025 in Gensler is poised for an exciting senior season.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-658f3cdb3a83a"} /-->