Chicago Sun-Times 2024 All-Area high school football team

Offense

OL Parker Brault, Palatine, Sr. 6-3, 300 pounds

Marshall recruit. Teamed with junior Tony Balanganayi to on an offensive line that averaged 5.6 yards per carry, gained 3,398 total yards and allowed only four sacks. Top unit on a team that finished 8-2 and won the Mid-Suburban League West.

OL Michael McDonough, Andrew, Sr. 6-4, 290 pounds

Illinois recruit. Three-sport athlete who anchored Andrew’s offensive line, the heart of the team. Helped lead the Thunderbolts to six wins and a state playoff appearance.

OL Michael O’Connell, Glenbard West, Sr. 6-7, 285 pounds

Northwestern recruit. Earned numerous postseason honors including Red Grange All-County. Also plays basketball. Latest in a long, distinguished tradition of outstanding Glenbard West linemen.

OL Matt Marek, Sandburg, Sr. 6-4, 265 pounds

Indiana recruit. Three-year varsity player became team captain and all-conference selection while leading the Eagles to the state playoffs.

OL Joseph Reiff, York Sr. 6-6, 250 pounds

Notre Dame recruit. A dominant force on offensive and defensive line. Finished with 57 tackles, eight TFL’s, 2.5 sacks and 31 quarterback hurries. Became an impact player on the offensive line in the second half of the season.

QB Jack Elliott, Mount Carmel, Sr. 6-0, 205 pounds

Vanderbilt recruit. Played on three Class 7A state championship teams and was the starting quarterback on two. Threw for 3,147 yards and 36 touchdowns with eight interceptions. Also devastating on the ground, rushing for 858 yards and 18 touchdowns.

RB Drew MacPherson, Loyola, Sr. 6-2, 195 pounds

Iowa recruit. Most consistent weapon for the back-to-back-to-back Class 8A state champions. Rushed for 1,184 yards and 15 touchdowns. Caught 59 passes for 709 yards and seven touchdowns. Scored 35 career touchdowns and pitched in on defense during key situations.

RB Myles Mitchell, Richards, Sr. 5-10, 190 pounds

North Dakota State recruit. Holds the school records for rushing and total touchdowns. Two-time conference player of the year that led the Bulldogs to the state semifinals. Rushed for 1,713 yards and 33 touchdowns. Had 13 catches for 139 yards and three touchdowns. Returned two kickoffs for touchdowns.

RB Aaron Stewart, Warren, Jr. 5-7, 175 pounds

The area’s most effective running back. Had 343 carries for 2,456 yards and 34 touchdowns. Also had 13 receptions for 82 yards. Led Warren to seven wins and the state quarterfinals.

WR Terrence Smith, West Aurora, Sr. 6-4, 185 pounds

Iowa recruit. School’s all-time leader in receptions. Scored 25 career touchdowns while leading the Blackhawks to the Upstate Eight West title, an undefeated regular season and a spot in the Class 8A state playoffs.

WR Talyn Taylor, Geneva, Sr. 6-1, 180 pounds

Georgia recruit. Sun-Times Player of the Year. Finished the season with 84 receptions for 1,617 yards and 24 touchdowns. Averaged 19.3 yards per catch and had two kickoff return touchdowns. DuKane offensive MVP who teamed with quarterback Tony Chahino to lead Vikings to the Class 6A state title game.

ATH Logan Malachuk, Nazareth, Sr. 5-11, 185 pounds

Uncommitted. Led the Roadrunners to three consecutive Class 5A state championships. Holds the state records for most passes completed in a carer, most career passing yards and most career total yards. Finished his senior season with 48 total touchdowns and 3,421 passing yards.

Defense

DL Chris Burgess, Simeon, Sr. 6-3, 248 pounds

Notre Dame recruit. Dominant force with 101 tackles including 51 solo tackles. Had five sacks, eight quarterback hurries and eight TFLs. Led Wolverines to seven wins and a state playoff appearance.

DL Brad Fitzgibbon, Marist, Sr. 6-3, 280 pounds

Iowa recruit. Chicago Catholic League Lineman of the Year, selected to play in the US Army Bowl. Finished with 46 tackles, 6.5 sacks and nine TFLs while leading the RedHawks to a 9-2 record and the Class 8A state playoffs.

DL Nate Marshall, Fenwick, Sr. 6-5, 250 pounds

Michigan recruit. Navy All-American. 2024 Chicago Catholic League White Lawless Player of the Year. One of the top recruits in the country, also a standout tight end and basketball player. Finished with 60 tackles, 11 TFLs, 5.5 sacks. Had five touchdowns on offense.

DL Caden O’Rourke, Lincoln-Way East, Sr. 6-5, 230 pounds

Northwestern recruit. One of the area’s best defensive players for three seasons. Led the Griffins to an undefeated regular season and the Class 8A state semifinals. Finished with 54 tackles, 13 sacks, 10 TFLs and scored a touchdown.

LB Carson Cooney, Oswego, Sr. 6-3, 225 pounds

Iowa recruit. Led Panthers to a 10-1 season and the Class 8A state playoffs. Finished with 77 tackles, three sacks, 13 quarterback hurries and seven TFLs. Scored three rushing touchdowns on offense.

LB Dominik Hulak, IC Catholic, Sr. 6-4, 235 pounds

Notre Dame recruit. Co-Red Grange All-County Defensive Player of the Year. Four-year varsity standout who played multiple positions for the Knights, including running back.

LB Gabe Kaminski, Nazareth, Sr. 6-3, 230 pounds

Stanford recruit. Four-year varsity standout, led Roadrunners to three consecutive Class 5A state championships. Totaled 369 tackles, 125 TFLs, 59 sacks and nine forced fumbles in his career. Also a weapon on offense at tight end.

DB Burke Gautcher, Sycamore, Sr. 6-2, 210 pounds

Iowa recruit. Did it all for the Spartans. Had 60 tackles and an interception return for a touchdown as a safety. Rushed for 245 yards and eight touchdowns. As quarterback he completed 62% of his passes for 1,884 yards with 17 touchdowns and one interception.

DB Le’Javier Payne, Mount Carmel, Sr. 5-9, 170 pounds

Eastern Illinois recruit. Stepped up as an impact player in the biggest games in the state over the past two seasons. Had five interceptions this senior and 224 kick return yards, including an 82-yard kick return touchdown. Key member of the Caravan’s three-peat Class 7A championship core.

DB Donovan Robinson, Loyola, Sr. 6-3, 220 pounds

Washington recruit. Had 40 tackles, one sack and two interceptions. Also a force in special teams with two kickoff return touchdowns. Had a knack for stepping up in the biggest moments while helping the Ramblers win three consecutive Class 8A state championships.

DB Jahmare Washington, Morgan Park, Sr. 6-2, 170 pounds

Wisconsin recruit. Teamed with Jovan Clark, Pierre Jackson Jr. and Marcus Thaxton to lead the Mustangs to a 10-2 season and the state quarterfinals. Finished with four interceptions, 33 tackles and contributed on offense with two touchdowns.

P/K Nikola Dugandzic, Sr. 6-5, 205 pounds

Northwestern recruit. Navy All-American considered the best punter in the national class of 2025. Averaged 43.7 yards per punt with a long of 66 yards. Placed 20 punts inside the 20-yard line. Was 6 of 9 on field goals with a long of 51 yards.