First Team
QB: Robert Battle, senior, East St. Louis
Connected on 136 of 220 passes for 2,173 yards in leading the Flyers to the Class 6 state title game. Threw for 26 scores with only two interceptions. Also ran for 786 yards and nine scores. Threw for 14 touchdowns in five postseason games, including a five-score, 239-yard effort in first-round win over Lemont. First-team Illinois High School Football Coaches Association all-state selection. Signed with Lindenwood University.
RB: Dierre Hill Jr., junior, Althoff
Ran for 1,788 yards and scored 28 touchdowns as the Crusaders reached the Class 1A quarterfinal round before losing at eventual champion Camp Point Central. The 6-foot, 185-pounder rushed for 128 yards or more in 10 of 11 games and scored multiple touchdowns seven times. A first team all-state choice, he is being courted by numerous NCAA Division I schools.
DL: Iose Epenesa, junior, Edwardsville
Battled injuries but still managed to record 31 tackles, including eight for losses, in a seven-game stretch. Defensive tackle had 11 tackles and three sacks in 29-12 win at De Smet on Oct. 20. The 6-5, 230-pounder has received dozens of NCAA Division I offers.
DL: Jason Dowell, junior, Althoff
Posted an eye-popping 24 tackles for a loss. The 6-foot-4, 290-pounder was a nightmare for area offenses. He recorded 11 sacks and 56 unassisted tackles. An all-state honorable mention selection. Had 11 tackles and two sacks in an early-season win at Centralia.
LB: Isaac Phipps, junior, Cahokia
Recorded 13 sacks and 56 tackles for a defense that allowed just 13 points per game. Quick off the ball, Phipps had four sacks and 10 tackles in a season-opening win against Alton. The 6-foot, 205-pounder possesses an uncanny knack for the ball. A first team all-state choice.
DB: LeonTre Bradford, senior, East St. Louis
Led the Flyers defense with 91 tackles. Recorded 35 tackles over the first three games. Had two interceptions in a playoff win over Normal Community West. The 6-footer was a first team all-state choice. Signed with Purdue.
Second Team
QB: Jake Curry, senior Edwardsville
Threw for 2,223 yards, 29 touchdowns. Signed with SIU Carbondale.
RB: Evan Wells, senior, Roxana
Helped Shells started 12-0, reached 3A semifinals with 1,713 rushing yards and 31 TDs, 29 on the ground.
OL: James Herring, senior, Roxana
Lynchpin behind a powerful ground game that rushed for 66 touchdowns during a 3A state semifinal campaign.
DB: Cole Stuart, senior, Freeburg
Had two interceptions and a sack as Midgets recorded shutouts in two of their last three games.
UTIL: Christopher Bennett Jr., junior, East St. Louis
Returned nine punts for an average of 22 yards per kick.
QB: Robert Battle, senior, East St. Louis
Connected on 136 of 220 passes for 2,173 yards in leading the Flyers to the Class 6 state title game. Threw for 26 scores with only two interceptions. Also ran for 786 yards and nine scores. Threw for 14 touchdowns in five postseason games, including a five-score, 239-yard effort in first-round win over Lemont. First-team Illinois High School Football Coaches Association all-state selection. Signed with Lindenwood University.
RB: Dierre Hill Jr., junior, Althoff
Ran for 1,788 yards and scored 28 touchdowns as the Crusaders reached the Class 1A quarterfinal round before losing at eventual champion Camp Point Central. The 6-foot, 185-pounder rushed for 128 yards or more in 10 of 11 games and scored multiple touchdowns seven times. A first team all-state choice, he is being courted by numerous NCAA Division I schools.
DL: Iose Epenesa, junior, Edwardsville
Battled injuries but still managed to record 31 tackles, including eight for losses, in a seven-game stretch. Defensive tackle had 11 tackles and three sacks in 29-12 win at De Smet on Oct. 20. The 6-5, 230-pounder has received dozens of NCAA Division I offers.
DL: Jason Dowell, junior, Althoff
Posted an eye-popping 24 tackles for a loss. The 6-foot-4, 290-pounder was a nightmare for area offenses. He recorded 11 sacks and 56 unassisted tackles. An all-state honorable mention selection. Had 11 tackles and two sacks in an early-season win at Centralia.
LB: Isaac Phipps, junior, Cahokia
Recorded 13 sacks and 56 tackles for a defense that allowed just 13 points per game. Quick off the ball, Phipps had four sacks and 10 tackles in a season-opening win against Alton. The 6-foot, 205-pounder possesses an uncanny knack for the ball. A first team all-state choice.
DB: LeonTre Bradford, senior, East St. Louis
Led the Flyers defense with 91 tackles. Recorded 35 tackles over the first three games. Had two interceptions in a playoff win over Normal Community West. The 6-footer was a first team all-state choice. Signed with Purdue.
Second Team
QB: Jake Curry, senior Edwardsville
Threw for 2,223 yards, 29 touchdowns. Signed with SIU Carbondale.
RB: Evan Wells, senior, Roxana
Helped Shells started 12-0, reached 3A semifinals with 1,713 rushing yards and 31 TDs, 29 on the ground.
OL: James Herring, senior, Roxana
Lynchpin behind a powerful ground game that rushed for 66 touchdowns during a 3A state semifinal campaign.
DB: Cole Stuart, senior, Freeburg
Had two interceptions and a sack as Midgets recorded shutouts in two of their last three games.
UTIL: Christopher Bennett Jr., junior, East St. Louis
Returned nine punts for an average of 22 yards per kick.
