Pigskin Preview Award Winners Recognized

What a year it has been for high school football in Will County. Throughout the season, The Molloy State Farm, WJOL Pigskin Preview highlighted weekly winners. The 2019 winners were selected by Hall of Fame Coach Joe Rodeghero and High School recruiting guru Edgy Tim. At the awards banquet on Sunday, December 8, 2019, at Gatto’s Restaurant in New Lenox, the Co-Players of the Year and Coach of the Year awards were presented and all the weekly winners were recognized.

Lincoln-Way East wide receiver A.J. Hennig was named a Player of the Year. Henning, a Michigan commit, had 748 yards receiving 13 touchdown catches along with 667 yards rushing and 15 touchdowns. Henning was also named as the Sun Times Player of the Year and the 2019 Gatorade Player of the Year in Illinois.

Coal City running back/linebacker Dan Jezik also was named a Player of the Year. He

rushed for 2,237 yards and 25 touchdowns while also playing full time on defense at linebacker. Jezik is an Oklahoma State commit for wrestling.

Rob Zvonar from Lincoln-Way East (LWE) was named Coach of the Year. With an overall record of 191-39 in his 20th season at LWE. Zvonar is the only head varsity football coach in the program’s history. Under Zvonar LWE has made the IHSA state playoff field every year since starting varsity football in 2001.

The Molloy State Farm agency would like to thank the Coach Joe Rodeghero, Edgy Tim, Scott Slocum of WJOL, Frank Gatto of Gatto’s Restaurant, Dave Dombrowski of Pizza Mia and Bill Garrigan of Fully Promoted for a great year and making this program possible.

Here is a recap of the weekly winners recognized during the awards banquet.

Week 1 Coal City senior running back Dan Jezik had 20 carries for 245 yards and three touchdowns in the Coalers 48-33 win over Morris.

Week 2 senior running back from Lincoln Way-East Devon Williams had 19 carries for 288 yards and three rushing touchdowns including runs of 60 and 64 yards in the Griffins 31-10 win over Naperville Central.

Week 3’s award went to Joliet Catholic sophomore running back Jordan Anderson for his game with 25 carries for 263 yards and three rushing touchdowns in the Hilltoppers 34-33 win over St. Laurence.

Week 4 Lemont High School’s wide receiver Anthony Sambucci had 8 catches for 176 yards and three touchdowns in the Indians 40-0 win over Oak Forest.

Week 5 Lockport High School’s quarterback Justin Pheiffer, who started the season as the Porters backup quarterback, completed 12 of 21 passes for 236 yards and two touchdowns in leading the Porters to it's come from behind 28-21 win over Sandburg.

Week 6 Minnoka High School quarterback Seth Lehr compiled 261 yards of total offense (9 of 12 passes for 188 yards/15 carries for 73 yards) and threw a 27 yard touchdown pass in the Indians 34-0 win over Plainfield North.

Week 7 Plainfield South running back Keith Bronson carried the football 33 times for 196 yards and three touchdowns in the Cougars 33-20 win over Plainfield East.

Week 8 Lincoln Way-West wide receiver Billy Dozier caught 9 passes for 142 yards and two touchdowns while also running for another touchdown in the Warriors 27-10 road win over Bradley. This win also made Lincoln Way-West playoff eligible.

Week 9 Joliet West running back Trent Howland had 13 carries for 301 yards and 5 rushing touchdowns in the Tigers 43-7 road win over Plainfield Central. The win allowed Joliet West to win its first football conference title in 50 years and also secured Joliet West a Class 8A state playoff berth.

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