We live in a culture fascinated with rankings and lists, whether it's the best colleges (U.S. News & World Report), places to live (Money Magazine) or "Top Five Bands or Musicians Who Will Have To Be Shot Come the Musical Revolution" ("High Fidelity").
Between the Super Bowl and national signing day, we'll be flooded with both across the next few weeks. Still, that kind of volume doesn't mean rankings and lists aren't interesting.
MaxPreps.com recently sent along its Sophomore All-American teams. The players from the Land of Lincoln, as written up by Stephen Spiewak and Kevin Askeland, include:
WR Davaris Daniels, Vernon Hills (Ill.), 6-3, 170
Daniels earned All-State honorable mention after another impressive season for Vernon Hills. His speed and size combination provides matchup problems for opposing defenses.
OL Victor Nelson, Maine South (Park Ridge, Ill.), 6-7, 294
College coaches made their rounds at Maine South this season as the 8A champs featured star quarterback Charlie Goro, committed to Vanderbilt. The road to Park Ridge will continue to get heavy use by recruiters, as Victor Nelson is already on the radar of numerous major programs.
K Matt Kersten, Montini (Lombard, Ill.), 5-8, 140
Kersten, highly regarded in kicking circles, helped lead Montini to an 11-1 record.
LB Rodney Coe, Edwardsville (Ill.) 6-3, 230
Coe starred at both running back and linebacker for Edwardsville. He was a second team All-State selection by the News-Democrat, prone to exploding for big games. In a two-game stretch, he went off for 451 yards and five touchdowns. Expect to see Coe on defense in college.
