Courier-News All-Area Football: First-team offense

BRET MOONEY

QB, Jacobs, junior, 6-4, 210

Mooney excelled while serving as the catalyst of a high-powered Golden Eagles offense during his first varsity season. The All-Fox Valley Valley selection led the area with 2,102 passing yards. He completed 128 of 244 passes and had 17 touchdown strikes to go along with three rushing touchdowns.

GEORGE EDLUND

RB, St. Charles North, senior, 5-10, 185

Edlund was the top playmaker within a North Stars ground attack that averaged 140.9 rushing yards per game this season. The All-Upstate Eight River honoree finished his second varsity campaign with 745 yards and eight touchdowns on 149 carries.

DAVONTAE ELAM

RB, St. Edward, junior, 5-10, 190

Elam continued to make consistent contributions for the Green Wave during his third varsity season. The All-Suburban Christian Blue honoree finished with 918 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on 168 carries. He also totaled 22 tackles and an interception while pitching in as a defensive back.

AARON EVERSON

RB, Bartlett, senior, 6-0, 200

Everson is the 2012 Courier-News Player of the Year following his monster season for the Hawks. The All-Upstate Eight Valley selection racked up 1,987 yards on 287 carries, good for an average 6.9 yards per carry. Everson scored 27 total touchdowns and kicked 19 extra points, setting single-season program records for rushing yards and scoring.

CODY LANE

RB, Dundee-Crown, junior, 5-10, 190

Lane was the driving force behind an effective ground attack that helped the Chargers take a big step forward during the 2012 season. The two-year varsity member and All-Fox Valley Valley selection finished with 1,217 rushing yards on 152 carries. He also led his team in scoring with 18 total touchdowns.

BRANNON BARRY

WR, St. Charles East, junior, 6-4, 200

Barry added to his reputation as a sure-handed receiver during his second varsity season. The All-Upstate Eight River honoree helped the Saints reach the postseason for the first time since 2009 by catching 41 passes for 486 yards and five touchdowns.

BRYCE BESCHORNER

WR, Huntley, senior, 6-3, 190

Beschorner staked his claim as the area’s most productive receiver this season while helping the Red Raiders return to the playoffs for the first time since 2009. The two-time All-Fox Valley Valley honoree racked up 44 receptions for 801 yards and 11 touchdowns.

HUNTER WILLIAMS

WR, Jacobs, junior, 6-0, 200

Williams emerged as a downfield threat to be reckoned with during his first varsity season with the Golden Eagles. The All-Fox Valley Valley selection finished with 31 receptions for 742 yards, good for an average of 23.9 yards per catch. He also had eight touchdowns.

GRANT BENDER

OL, Hampshire, senior, 6-3, 230

Bender was an effective two-way contributor for the Whip-Purs this season. The All-Fox Valley Fox honoree helped anchor an offensive line that paved the way for 5.2 yards per rushing attempt. As a defensive lineman he tallied 32 total tackles.

GEORGE DANEK

OL, Bartlett, senior, 6-3, 250

Danek was the leader of a highly productive offensive line for the Hawks this season with his play at left tackle. The All-Upstate Eight Valley selection helped open holes for a ground attack that averaged 271.4 rushing yards per game and 5.8 yards per rushing attempt.

ROBBIE FREDERICKSON

OL, Burlington Central, senior, 6-2, 205

Frederickson anchored the offensive line for the Rockets this season. The All-Big Northern East honoree helped pave the way for an attack that averaged 267.6 yards per game and 4.7 yards per rushing attempt despite being hampered by a series of injuries to key contributors.

A.J. MITCHELL

OL, Streamwood, senior, 6-0, 264

Mitchell is back on the C-N All-Area first team for the second straight year after another solid season on the offensive line for the Sabres. The two-time All-UEC River honoree helped lead the way for an offense that scored at least 27 points on four occasions during 2012.

ALEX SCHABERT

OL, Larkin, senior, 6-2, 331

Schabert makes the C-N All-Area first team for the second straight year after another productive season on the offensive and defense lines for the Royals. The three-time All-Upstate Eight River honoree helped open holes for a Larkin ground attack that produced two players who gained at least 500 rushing yards.

CHRIS KANTZAVELOS

TE, Bartlett, senior, 6-4, 255

Kantzavelos rarely left the field and was an integral part of his team’s success this season. The two-time All-UEC Valley honoree returns to the C-N All-Area first team after catching 15 passes for 215 yards and three touchdowns. He also made big contributions at defensive end, a position he plans to play at Central Michigan, by racking up 27 tackles, seven sacks and two fumble recoveries.

KAM SALLEE

K, Huntley, senior, 6-2, 185

Sallee did a little bit of everything for the Red Raiders this season. The All-Fox Valley Valley selection starred at quarterback as he completed 94 of 206 passes for 1,433 yards and an area-best 23 touchdowns. He was also the team’s leading rusher with 688 yards and five touchdowns on 128 carries. On special teams, Sallee connected on 31 extra-point attempts and three field goals.

SECOND-TEAM OFFENSE

QB — Rob Cuda, South Elgin, Jr., 6-1, 175

RB — Mo Jackson, Larkin, Sr., 5-8, 185

RB —Phil Lapointe, Hampshire, Sr., 5-10, 210

RB — Riley Marino, Burlington Central, Jr., 6-0, 180

RB —Greg Sidor, Jacobs, Sr., 5-8, 180

WR — Joe Crivolio, South Elgin, Sr., 6-3, 195

WR — Jake Gierlak, Jacobs, Sr., 5-10, 180

WR — Jake Lackovic, Huntley, Sr., 6-4, 215

OL —Colin Holte, St. Edward, Jr., 6-1, 240

OL — Zach Lindstrom, Elgin, Sr., 6-0, 235

OL — Mike Murawski, Streamwood, Sr., 6-2, 202