Lincoln-Way East Football Player To Play In All-American Bowl

FRANKFORT, IL — Lincoln-Way East’s AJ Henning, who was recently part of the school's state championship-winning football team, has been chosen to play in the 20th annual All-American Bowl. He will be amongst the top 100 players in the country who will play in the nation’s most prestigious high school all-star football game, the school said.

Representatives from the All-American Bowl recently visited Lincoln-Way East for a
jersey presentation ceremony.

“AJ, it all starts here,” said Mercedes Resendis, a representative from All-American Bowl. “We are extremely excited to bring the ‘Road to the Dome’ tour here to Lincoln-Way East High School to welcome AJ to the All-American Bowl family.”

The school said Henning will leave the Lincoln-Way East football program as the most decorated player in school history. He was a consensus All-Stater this year and was named the SWSC Player of the Year, Player of the Year by WJOL Radio/Edgytim, Player of the Year by the Joliet Herald Newspaper, Player of the Year by the Daily Southtown Newspaper, Player of the Year by the Chicago Sun-Times Newspaper, and was also recently named the Gatorade State of Illinois Player of the Year.

“He’s a warrior and a fierce competitor on the football field. Off the field, AJ has accepted his accolades with great humility and team goals always remained his top priority,” Lincoln-Way East Head Coach Rob Zvonar said in a release. “AJ it’s been an honor and a privilege to be your coach. We thank you and look forward to watching all the even more amazing things you do in your future.”

Henning thanked all his coaches for pushing him to be the best he could be. He also thanked his Griffin teammates, the 2019 Class 8A State Champions, who were in the audience supporting Henning during the jersey presentation.

“This couldn’t be possible without you guys. You guys elevated my game to a whole other level, especially that defense playing against you guys every day in the summer. I couldn’t be receiving this award without you guys!”

Henning is Lincoln-Way East's third All-American player; Devin O'Rourke who plays at Northwestern and Nick Allegretti who plays for the Kansas City Chiefs also earned the honor.

The All-American Bowl will be aired on NBC at 12 p.m. Jan. 4, 2020.