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FOOTBALL: 2024 RSN’s 2nd Team All-Area

Here is the 2nd Team All-Area from the 2024 football season!

OFFENSE

Ryan Buillon | Sophomore | Quarterback | Griffith

STATS: 1,999 passing yards, 27 total TDs, 5 total turnovers

Gone are the days of the run-heavy wishbone offenses of Griffith, as they have a real gunslinger at the QB position for years to come.

The sophomore played well beyond his years in his first season under center, as he broke a program record in passing yards in a single fall. Buillon has shown that he can make any throw, as Griffith’s new-look pass heavy offense prides itself on both short and deep passes – all of which Buillon can make. Better yet, Buillon has already shown his ability to protect the football in spite of being put in a position to give it away.

Yes, the season may have left the Panther faithful wanting more, but the future is beyond bright for Griffith – especially with the record-breaking QB back for two more seasons – along with a weapon on the outside that we will discuss here shortly.

Larry Ellison | Senior | Running Back | Crown Point

STATS: 1,475 rushing yards, 7.9 yards per carry, 443 receiving yards, 30 total TDs

When the lights are bright, Ellison seems to shine even brighter.

The two-time All-Conference and All-State nod has the highlight tape to make you wonder, “How did he score on that?” The senior has the tools to be a burner, but also requires a few tacklers to bring him down. While his rushing talent is evident, Ellison was much more of a factor in the passing game, as he was the team’s third leading receiver. Again, all of these stats are done with Ellison sitting the fourth quarter or even the second half in a number of games.

The tournament was and has been the time where Ellison seems to play his best, scoring seven total touchdowns in back-to-back weeks against Penn and Fort Wayne Carroll to win sectional and regional titles. Whether he was in the Wildcat, catching passes, or running between or outside the tackles, he has been an absolute threat with the ball in just his only two seasons at the position.

Jason Quillin | Sophomore | Wide Receiver | Griffith

STATS: 43 receptions, 765 receiving yards, 9 touchdowns

Remember when we said the future of Griffith is bright? Here is another example. 

The aforementioned Ryan Buillon quickly found his top target in who happens to be classmate, Jason Quillin – as the fellow sophomore has quickly shown his extended route tree in Griffith’s pass-happy offense. From tunnel screens to go balls, Quillin let others know in his breakout sophomore campaign that this connection will be one to look out for over the next few seasons.

Likewise to his quarterback, the first team All-Conference selection will be one of those building blocks that may lead to a few more memorable seasons for the Griffith Panthers.

Trevor Kubacki | Senior | Wide Receiver | Lake Central

STATS: 45 receptions, 741 receiving yards, 5 touchdowns

There was plenty of change for Lake Central heading into the 2024 season. From graduating key pieces of the previous squad, to losing players to other schools, to bringing in a new head coach in Pete Koulianos – it was a season of learning and development for LC.

One thing we did learn this year was the play of Trevor Kubacki – who was certainly one of the bright spots offensively in 2024. 

After what was a relatively quiet junior campaign, Kubacki was the next man up this fall and made the absolute most of it. To highlight the first team All-Conference selection’s value in the receiver room, no other pass catcher had over 100 yards this season. He was simply that guy for LC.

Jacob Soley | Senior | Tight End | Crown Point

STATS: 31 receptions, 532 receiving yards, 6 touchdowns

In an offense that was as balanced as Crown Point’s was, Jacob Soley may have been the Bulldog’s top aerial threat at a position that does not typically do so.

Not only did the Indiana State commit lead the Bulldogs in receiving yards but also paced the way in yards per reception. With the senior’s 6’4 frame, he can go up for any ball and follow it up with an ability to perform well after the catch. Keeping things brief, it is what you want at a tight end – one who is able to do damage all over the field.

Shaun Hicks | Senior | Offensive Lineman | Merrillville

While most of the offensive lineman on these lists typically stand at impressive frames, it should be known that lineman come in all shapes and sizes. However, a great lineman are not completely defined by his stature but more so by his effort and his attention to detail – and that is certainly evident in Merrillville’s Shaun Hicks.

An all-DAC selection this year, Hicks mans the center position at just a shade under six feet and at or near 200 pounds. Nonetheless, Hicks was classified as the heart and soul of an offensive line that was arguably the area’s top rushing attack with two 1,000+ yard rushers.

Jimmy Johnsen | Senior | Offensive Lineman | Lake Central

Sometimes, you just fit the part of an offensive lineman. Standing at 6’5, Jimmy Johnsen became an anchor at the tackle spot this season for the Lake Central Indians – and college coaches are noticing too. The 2023 All-State nod has a highlight tape riddled with nasty finishes to some big time blocks.

Not only is Johnsen limited to the tackle spot, but also the majority of 2023 at guard – making his role even more valuable at the next level. Colleges like UNLV, Valparaiso, Trine, and others have already come knocking.

Mitch Krolikowski | Senior | Offensive Lineman | Wheeler

The All-Conference nod was a big part in why Wheeler has been able to run (and pass) the football so well over these past two seasons. If his production on the offensive line was not enough, Krolikowski was one of the Bearcats’ top run stuffers defensively with 51 tackles on the year – including four sacks.

Krolikowski will now shift his sights for what will hopefully be a long winter for him – as he is a gifted wrestler for the Bearcats.

Cameron Miller | Junior | Offensive Lineman | Morton

While the class of 2024 Governors featured its fair share of college commits, there will be another in store for next year’s class.

Miller, who was a late bloomer in the sport, has quickly become one of Morton’s top offensive lineman. The All-State selection certainly has the intangibles to play in college – starting with his size at 6’6 and over 300 pounds. Miller is hoping to build on a solid junior season, as he already has offers from Division One programs like Marshall and Northern Illinois.

Carlos Leon | Junior | Offensive Lineman | Chesterton

On what was a predominantly run-heavy Chesterton Trojan team – it was a well-oiled machine up front led by Carlos Leon, who recently was awarded with an All-State selection.

While the Andrew Goveia-led rushing attack was good anywhere, there was a lot of success that often came with running towards Leon’s side of the line. His film proves that, as Leon is imposing and violent for the Trojans. The junior will be one of the top returners for the Trojans next year who are looking to follow suit in what was a solid 2024 season.

DaShawn Woods | Senior | Athlete | Morton

STATS: 900 rushing yards, 650 receiving yards, 17 total TDs, 18 tackles

DaShawn Woods made the absolute most of his lone season as a Governor. The Hammond Central transfer had a breakout year in 2023 and followed it up well with the cross-city team for his senior campaign.

Although Morton’s offense was expected to be exciting given its talent, Woods offered much more work in the receiving game than what we have seen previously. So much so that he was voted as the team’s Offensive MVP – an award that is certainly not an easy one to win given the productivity on that side of the ball.

DEFENSE

Nick Ratkovich | Senior | Defensive Lineman | Boone Grove

STATS: 71 total tackles, 20 TFLs, 12 sacks

It was mentioned before that Boone Grove has its fair share of building blocks on the roster that has gotten them where they are today. Nick Ratkovich is certainly no exception to that claim.

Another four-year starter, Ratkovich was productive from the jump – racking up what would be a career best 13 sacks in just nine games of play. He came close to that mark this year with 12, but did set career bests in total tackles, tackles for loss, and even logged 32 carries this season. 

The All-Conference selection finished his decorated BG career with 217 total tackles, 60 tackles for loss, and 33 sacks.

Landen Murray | Sophomore | Defensive Lineman | Andrean

STATS: 52 total tackles, 11 TFLs, 7 sacks

In what is an aggressive and talented defensive unit, Landen Murray fit the billing for both of those titles in his sophomore season. 

Murray, who was already quite productive in his freshman season, was even better his second year. Granted playing in four more games, the defensive end/tackle set per-game average bests in total tackles and sacks – notching career bests in totals for those categories as well. Although Andrean’s defensive unit was very solid, it was also riddled with younger pieces. That said, watch out for names like Murray to end up on this list once again.

Dylan Knezevich | Senior | Defensive Lineman | Wheeler

STATS: 67 total tackles, 9 TFLs, 4 sacks

The former Lake Central Indian broke out with the Wheeler Bearcats in his senior season. On a talented and ever-improving Wheeler defense, the senior paced the way in total tackles – on top of clogging up lanes to let his teammates make plays as well.

To have a defensive tackle lead your team in tackles, the impact that has on the other levels of the defense is often overlooked. That may be why the Wheeler Bearcats had its best season record-wise in some time, including an outright conference title for the second consecutive season.

 

Josh Miller | Senior | Defensive Lineman | Crown Point

STATS: 48 total tackles, 11 TFLs, 8 sacks

While the talent of Crown Point was certainly still expected to remain even after losing some pieces from 2023, the defensive line may have had some question marks. Luckily for CP, Josh Miller answered them.

The All-Conference defensive end, after not getting much action in the early stages of his preps career surely made his presence felt in his final year with the Bulldogs – pacing the team in sacks and tackles for loss.

Giovani Bailey-Hannah | Senior | Linebacker | Hammond Central

STATS: 46 total tackles, 12 sacks, 5 TFLs, 1 interception

It is not often that a player can get 12 sacks in a season and have some label it as a “down year.” Yes, the senior did not exactly match his junior year total of 16 sacks this year. Nonetheless, many players can only dream that they can put up the numbers that Bailey-Hannah has had over the course of the past two seasons.

In 29 career games played, the senior LB has racked up 31 sacks and 17 tackles for loss. You do not see those numbers often from a linebacker/hybrid role. The senior is especially quick off of the edge – as Hammond often ran a five-man front giving Bailey-Hannah a one-on-one opportunity to do what he does best.

Ethan Reyna | Sophomore | Linebacker | Andrean

STATS: 104 total tackles, 9 TFLs, 4 sacks, 501 rushing yards, 1 interception, 3 touchdowns

Is it a surprise that another young gun for Andrean is on this list? The future is quite promising to say the absolute least. Reyna, who saw quality time as a freshman last year – became one of the Niners’ leaders in 2024.

Although Reyna was limited to defense-only in 2023, the most recent All-State selection paced the Niners in rushing yards – most notably becoming a true workhorse in the backfield in some key games late in the regular season and tournament. 

There has been a long line of impressive Andrean defenders – more specifically at the linebacker position. Reyna may just have all of the tools and already two years of experience under his belt to enter his name into the list.

 

Jeremiah Jordan | Senior | Linebacker | Merrillville

STATS: 77 total tackles, 4 TFLs, 7 quarterback hurries

All Jeremiah Jordan has done as a football player is grow. As mentioned before with others, Jordan was late to the football scene.

Nonetheless, Jordan has been a key piece to what has been a stellar defensive unit over the course of his preps career. The senior was very solid in the inside run game but was certainly not limited to just that. Jordan often came off the edge as well, as his positional flexibility made things difficult for opposing quarterbacks and backfields.

 

Michael Turner | Junior | Linebacker | River Forest

STATS: 137 total tackles, 14 TFLs, 2 interceptions, 3 forced fumbles, 5 pass breakups 234 receiving yards

As mentioned before, in smaller conferences like the Greater South Shore, you need guys to wear multiple hats. River Forest’s Michael Turner was one of those guys.

The All-Conference selection paced the team lead in tackles by over 50, as the junior vastly improved on what was a respectable sophomore campaign. Although the Ingot offense will graduate some talented names like Ayden Silver, it is expected that the relatively younger defense will be back and ready to roll – most likely led by Turner for his senior season.

 

Warren Brown III | Junior | Defensive Back | Merrillville

STATS: 86 total tackles, 2 TFLs, 2 interceptions, 7 pass breakups

Who doesn’t appreciate a defensive back that can tackle? The Merrillville defense was and has been strong on all three levels – as Warren Brown III held things down at his safety position as the final line of defense. The All-Conference choice may not offer imposing size for a defensive back, Brown is quick to the point of attack and often makes the play.

The junior surely held his own in the open field against some of the area’s best ball carriers. Brown’s speed and open field tackling ability can also be seen on the kickoff unit – an area which he racked up tackles in as well. The DB led the talented Pirate defense in tackles and will only look to improve in 2025.

Colton Strezo | Senior | Defensive Back | Griffith

STATS: 51 total tackles, 4 interceptions, 2 fumble recoveries, 4 defensive touchdowns

Offense is struggling and needs a spark? Call Colton Strezo.

The former quarterback for the Panthers was mostly on the defensive side in 2024 and shined. While a spark was not often needed in lack of the Panther offense, Strezo helped out their cause.

Strezo had a nose for the football in 2024 – forcing six total turnovers which led to short fields – that is if he did not score. The All-Conference selection in his final season as a Panther helped lead the way defensively to one of Griffith’s best seasons in some time.

Gavin Knight | Senior | Defensive Back | Bishop Noll

STATS: 80 total tackles, 5 interceptions, 9 pass breakups

In a program that has seen tremendous growth over the past few seasons, Gavin Knight was one of the centerpieces of it all. Voted unanimously twice as team captain, his leadership was backed up by his impressive play. 

Knight was second in the team lead in total tackles and led the way in picks and pass breakups. The senior was spoken highly by Coach Tyler Milby, as Knight led the Warriors to their best season record-wise in over a decade.

Gavin Jones | Junior | Defensive Back | Andrean

STATS: 26 total tackles, 2 TFLs, 4 interceptions, 365 kick return yards

Andrean’s defense was legit – and their secondary might have been the top group of the bunch. Jones, who was paired with names like Jayden Holmes and Jimmy Finley, quickly became the Niners’ top corner  in what was arguably his first full season in action. While only playing in a combined 12 games in his underclassmen years, Jones bested that total alone in 2024.

The junior was also very solid in the kick return game, as in only his 11 returns Jones averaged 33 yards a pop – including a touchdown this year. As said before with his other teammates on this list, watch out for this 59er come next fall.

Tyne Vettickal | Junior | Athlete | Wheeler

STATS: 39 receptions, 627 receiving yards, 44 total tackles, 54 kickoffs, 35-41 on PATs, 2-6 on FGA, 14 kickoff and punt returns, 8 total TDS, 89 total points scored

Yeah, he does a lot.

It is difficult to find a place to start with Tyne Vettickal, but the All-Conference selection stepped up his game even more in 2024 – improving his numbers in nearly all three of the phases he participates in. 

Vettickal most notably took a leap in the receiving game, becoming one of the key pieces to Wheeler’s back-to-back conference championships. If it was not evident that the junior is an “athlete,” his football season is balanced with a soccer season as well – as he is coming off a solid campaign on the pitch. That said, it makes sense that Vettickal has been a great kicker for the Bearcats.

If he was not busy enough, he will spend his winter on the hardwood for the Bearcats, before gearing up for most likely another busy season in 2025. That of course after he runs track for the Bearcats in the spring.

SPECIAL TEAMS

TJ Ohlenkamp | Junior | Kicker/Punter | Lake Central

STATS: 6/6 PATS, 1/3 FGA, 6/21 punts inside the 20, 35.67 yards per punt

The conference’s most valuable punter plans to follow suit in 2025 in what was a very impressive junior campaign. The DAC, which is riddled with special teams talent, LC may just have one of the best for another season.

Oliver Brewer | Sophomore | Kicker/Punter | Crown Point

STATS: 6 punts, 41.33 yards per punt, 2/6 inside 20, 58/59 PATs, 3/4 FGA

With a high scoring offense comes a lot of reps for your kicker. Sure enough, CP’s Oliver Brewer has been effective on whatever he is asked. An All-State selection, the future (and present) is quite bright for Brewer.

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