JOHN AMBROSINO Fenwick, defensive back, 6-2, 195, senior: Outstanding two-way player on 10-0 Catholic League North champion. As quarterback, he is the team leader. As free safety, he is a fearless tackler. "He has his own leadership style that is special," coach Paul Connor said. "Kids just want to follow him."

JOE ANDERSON Chicago Vocational, offensive lineman, 6-2, 270, senior: Public League's most dominant player. Two-way standout on a 9-1 team. On defense, opponents routinely double-teamed him. On offense, He was an overpowering blocker who keyed a potent rushing attack.

NICK BACHARA Schaumburg, kick returner, 5-8, 160, senior: No. 1 player in the Mid Suburban South for conference champions. Returned one punt, one kickoff and two interceptions for touchdowns. As a receiver, caught 43 passes for 651 yards and 10 touchdowns. Played both ways and punted as well.

MIKE BURDEN Palatine, defensive back, 6-1, 208, senior: A repeat selection and the No. 1 player in the Mid Suburban North. Had 89 tackles, 56 solo, two fumble recoveries and one interception on defense. Carried 139 times for 903 yards and 14 touchdowns. Also caught 11 passes for 59 yards.

MIKE CARLIN Joliet Catholic, defensive lineman, 6-2, 220, senior: Popular choice as the No. 1 player in the East Suburban Catholic. Leader of a defense that has permitted 48 points in the last eight games, 26 in the last five. "He brings an energy to the field," Marian Catholic coach Dave Mattio said.

ERIC GARRETT Bolingbrook, linebacker, 6-3, 225, senior: Only player selected to the All-SICA Gray's offensive and defensive teams. As a tight end, he is an outstanding blocker. As a linebacker, he has made more than 160 tackles for a 9-1 team. He has been offered scholarships by Illinois and Oklahoma.

TONY GIANNINI Stevenson, offensive lineman, 5-10, 241, senior: A three-year starter at guard and tackle and No. 1 lineman in the North Suburban for an undefeated team that ranks No. 2 in the state in Class 6A. During his three years on the line, the Patriots have amassed more than 9,200 yards on offense.

DWAYNE GOODRICH Oak Lawn Richards, defensive back, 6-0, 187, senior: Regarded as one of the best defensive backs in the nation. Had 19 unassisted tackles, five interceptions and three forced fumbles while having opponents direct offenses away from him. Returned two punts and one kickoff for touchdowns.

JOEY GOODSPEED Oswego, linebacker, 6-1, 224, senior: No. 1 player in the Suburban Prairie Red. He averaged 18 tackles per game. As a fullback, he carried 122 times for 1,296 yards and 21 TDs for a 9-1 team. Averaged 42 yards per punt. "Best player I have coached in 22 years," Karl Hoinkes said.

MARCUS HOOD Kankakee, defensive lineman, 6-2, 230, senior: No. 1 defensive lineman in the SICA Orange. Also played linebacker. Team's leading tackler in 1994 and 1995 with more than 200 tackles. "Most dominating defensive player in our league," Richards coach Gary Korhonen said.

JIM JONESOak Lawn Richards, offensive lineman, 6-3, 268 senior: The No. 1 offensive player in the SICA Orange. He attained the highest blocking percentage (84 percent) for a Richards lineman. On defense, he had 30 unassistsed tackles, 16 hurries, seven quarterback sacks and two fumble recoveries.

STEVE KEMPHChicago Mount Carmel, punter, 6-1, 182, senior: One of the best punting prospects in the nation. Hang time was no problem. Punted 20 times for the Catholic League South champions, averaging 38.4 yards. Had nine punts inside the 20 and six inside the 10 with no return. His longest punt was 57 yards.

SCOTT KOZAK Carl Sandburg, defensive lineman, 6-2, 230, senior: No. 1 player in the SICA Blue. Two-way standout on a 10-0 conference champion. Also outstanding offensive tackle and team leader. "He has a great desire to get to the ball," Homewood-Flossmoor coach John Wrenn said.

LEE LAFAYETTE Bishop McNamara, running back, 5-10, 185, senior: Winner of the Tony Lawless Award as the No. 1 player in the Catholic League. Orally committed to Notre Dame. He has rushed 252 times for 1,677 yards and 26 TDs.. "He makes the big play," Gordon Tech coach Tom Winiecki said.

ANDY LEE Glenbrook South, defensive lineman, 6-1, 201, senior: The No. 1 defensive player in the Central Suburban South for the conference champs. One of the area's quickest defensive linemen. Has 72 tackles, five sacks, three fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles and two blocked kicks.

CHRIS PICKETT Schaumburg, offensive lineman, 6-7, 260, senior: Made an oral commitment to Wisconsin before the season. The top lineman in the Mid Suburban South for the conference champions. "He had a great year," coach Tom Cerasani said. "His zone blocking is outstanding."

JACE SAYLER McHenry, tight end, 6-5, 245, junior: No. 1 player for the Fox Valley champions. Caught 28 passes for 527 yards and six TDs. On defense, had 9 1/2 sacks and one interception for a touchdown. "He is the best blocker I have coached," coach Mike Noll said.

JASON SCHERER Naperville Central, wide receiver, 6-1, 185, senior: A big-play performer, he has caught 39 passes for 696 yards, an average of 17.8 yards per reception, and scored 10 touchdowns. As a junior, he caught 52 passes for 870 yards and nine touchdowns for an 11-2 state semifinalist.

BRIAN SCHMITZ Maine South, kicker, 6-0, 150, senior: A two-time all-area pick. Made 6 of 8 field goals - the longest 45 yards - to help his team to the Central Suburban North title. Had 85 percent of his kickoffs in the end zone. Averaged 45 yards per punt while opponents averaged less than two yards a return.

JEFF SKIBITSKY Stevenson, linebacker, 6-0, 185, junior: The No. 1 defensive player in the North Suburban. Moved from Connecticut last winter after earning All-New England honors. Has 75 solo tackles and 79 assists. Blocked four punts and has three fumble recoveries and two interceptions.

MARCUS SMITH Bolingbrook, running back, 6-1, 215, senior: Unanimous choice as SICA Gray's No. 1 player. He has carried 269 times for a school-record 1,959 yards and 29 TDs. Also plays linebacker and returns punts and kickoffs. "Most versatile player I have coached in 35 years," Phil Acton said.

RYAN TAYLOR Romeoville, defensive back, 6-2, 195, senior: Two-time all-conference selection. Unanimous choice as the SICA Gray's top defensive back. He has intercepted six passes. Also averages 11 yards per punt return and 32 yards per kickoff return. As a wide receiver, he averages 26 yards per reception.

SETH TESDALL Morris, defensive lineman, 6-4, 240, senior: No. 1 player in the Suburban Prairie's White Division. Orally committed to Illinois. Also a standout linebacker on a 10-0 team that has shut out seven opponents. "As good as any lineman I've coached in 21 years," Dan Darlington said.

JEREMY WALSH Naperville North, flanker, 5-11, 185, senior: "Most versatile player I've coached," Larry McKeon said. He has rushed 91 times for 727 yards and 10 TDs and caught 40 passes for 613 yards and 10 TDs. He scored six TDs in one game. He also has kicked two field goals and 33 extra points.