Post-Tribune Football All-Area: Defense
December 1, 2012 11:30PM
Trever Walker, Chesterton football in Chesterton, Ind. Tuesday July 31, 2012. | Stephanie Dowell~Sun-Times Media
Article Extras
Updated: January 3, 2013 10:51AM
FIRST TEAM
Defensive Line — Trever Walker, Chesterton, 6-0, 225, senior
Stats: 69 tackles, 7 sacks
Raves: Walker, a defensive end, is a two-sport star. He is one of the top shot putters in the state.
Defensive Line — Gelen Robinson, Lake Central, 6-2, 230, junior
Stats: 95 tackles, 13 sacks, 29 hurries, 5 forced fumbles, 2 fumble rec, 2 blk kicks
Raves: Second-time P-T Defensive Player of the Year. Was more of a rush end for Indians. Led best defense in NWI.
Defensive Line — Ryley Harlow, Chesterton, 6-0, 240, senior
Stats: 50 tackles
Raves: The end anchored the Trojans’ line. Named the most outstanding linemen for the Trojans. Made Indiana Football Coaches Association all-state last year.
Linebacker – Nick Serrato, Andrean, 6-3, 225, senior
Stats: 132 tackles, 5 sacks, 1 INT, 1 fumble rec
Raves: Moved to linebacker in the middle of the season. Caught 20 passes at tight end for the 59ers. Leader of the team.
Linebacker — Patrick Shaw, East Chicago, 6-1, 225, Junior
Stats: 135 tackles, 20 tackles for losses, 4 forced fumbles
Raves: Led the state in tackles, according to Varvee.com. Will play on a bigger stage after high school.
Linebacker — Johnny Williams, kv, 6-0, 220, sophomore
Stats: 85 tackles, 8 assists, 10 sacks, 7 tackles for losses.
Raves: Only first-team sophomore, Williams is a stud.
DEFENSIVE BACK — AJ Snyder, Chesterton, 6-0, 155, senior
Stats: 7 INT, 8 pass break ups
Raves: All-conference selection and two-time team MVP at defensive back. Only six passes were completed against him all season.
Cornerback — Lonnie Johnson, West Side, 6-3, 188, Junior
Stats: 10 pass break ups, 4 INT, 1 sack, 1 tackle for loss.
Raves: The most versatile athlete in the Northwest Indian, he already has a scholarship offer from Bowling Green. Will likely get some Big Ten offers.
Defensive Back — Tyler Smith, Crown Point, 5-10, 170, Senior
Stats: Finished with 82 tackls, four interceptions, a forced fumble and two tackles for losses.
Raves: Caught 37 passes as receiver. Averaged 6.7 yards per carry as a running back.
Safety — Larunte Fairley, East Chicago, 5-9, 160, senior
Stats: 7 INT, 57 tackles, 27 assists
Raves: Set a national record for INT returns for TDs in a season with four, and for INT returns in a quarter with two. Averaged 9.4 yards per carry as an RB.
Safety – Ryan Neal, Merrillville, 6-2, 155, junior
Stats: 9 INT, 9 pass break ups, 2 fumble recoveries
Raves: Will return next year to lead a Pirates defense that improved down the stretch.
Kicker/punter – Aaron Del Grosso, Hobart, 5-11, 175, senior
Stats: 16-20 FG, 42-42 PAT, 39.0 yds per punt, 47 touchbacks
Raves: The best kicker to come out of NWI in the last 15 years — maybe ever. Made a 53-yarder in a game and a 63-yarder in practice. Made all-state last year.
SECOND TEAM
Defensive Line — Johnny Morrison, kv, 6-0, 175, senior
Stats: 66 solo tackles, 10 assists, 15 sacks, 13 tackles for loss
Raves: Undersized tackle was a dynamo for the Kougars’ defense, leading the area in sacks.
Defensive Line — CJ Lessentine, lake central, 5-10, 235, junior
Stats: 35 tackles, 30 solos, 9 sacks, 2 forced fumbles
Raves: A serious force up front, playing at defensive end, along with Gelen Robinson.
Defensive Line — Michael Hines, Lake Central, 6-2, 260, senior
Stats: 54 tackles, 6 sacks, 12 hurries, 2 forced fumbles
Raves: Played the unsexy position of nose guard for the Indians. Battled back from injuries to record some phenomenal stats for that position.
Defensive Line – Isaiah Harkness, Bowman, 6-1, 165, senior
Stats: 54 tackles, 15 sacks, 21 assists.
Raves: Harkness led the state in sacks by a defensive tackle, according to maxpreps.com.
Linebacker — Martayveus Carter, East Chicago, 5-11, 200, junior
Stats: 94 tackles, 10 sacks, 31 tackles for loss
Raves: Rushed for 1,296 yards and 19 touchdowns for the Cardinals. Will play running back in college in two seasons.
Linebacker – Chad Schultz, North Newton, 5-9, 165, Senior
Stats: 51 tackles, 1 sack
Raves: More of an athlete, he rushed for 1,362 yards and had four punt returns for 108 yards. Leaves as career leading rusher at North Newton.
Linebacker – Zack Kogut, Andrean, 6-0, 220, Senior
Stats: 96 tackles, 3 sacks, 3 pass break ups, 8 tackles for loss
Raves: Also played fullback on offense for the 59ers.
Defensive Back – Demetrius Cousins, East Chicago, 6-1, 180, Senior
Stats: 24 solo tackles, 18 assists, 5 INT
Raves: Also had 27 receptions and three touchdowns as a wide receiver.
Defensive Back – Jerry Ruiz, Roosevelt, 5-8, 165, Senior
Stats: 7 INT
Raves: Safety helped Roosevelt win three games this season. Also rushed for more than 1,200 yards as a running back and finished with 10 touchdowns.
Defensive Back – Anthony Burgos, Hobart, 5-11, 185, Senior
Stats: 4 INT, 2 forced fumbles, 110 tackles, 2 pass break ups
Raves: Led his team in tackles. Finished with the most all-purpose yards per game.
Defensive Back – Justin Jendreas, Whiting, 5-9, 165, Senior
Stats: 55 tackles, 5 INT, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery
Raves: Averaged 8.6 yards per carry for Oilers, while catching 26 passes for 360 yards. Led the team with 102 points scored.
Kicker /punter — Matt Warren, Merrillville, 6-2, 175, Senior
Stats: 9-11 FGs, 68-74 PATs, 5-5 from between 30 and 39 yards.
Raves: Self made kicker didn’t start working on his technique until seventh grade. Kicked a 43-yard field goal this year.
