For Immediate Release

eureka, illinois

11 Red Devils named All-Conference

November 16, 2007

MEQUON, Wis. — A total of 11 Eureka College Red Devils received All-Illini Badger Football Conference recognition for the 2007 season. Eureka had one player named to the 1st Team, three on the 2nd Team and seven others receive Honorable Mention.

Sophomore wide receiver Drew Whightsil (Vandalia, Ill./HS) earned 1st Team honors after just his second year on the squad. Whightsil was Eureka's primary receiver this season, hauling in 34 passes on the season, which ranked third in the league. He has caught at least one pass in 13 consecutive games dating back to last year, including a career-high eight in Eureka's 28-21 victory over Concordia Chicago on
Sept. 29.

Justin Dempsey (Fairbury, Ill./Chenoa) was Eureka's lone offensive player on the 2nd Team. The senior running back was the fourth leading rusher in the IBFC with 86.6 yards per game. He was also seventh in all purpose yards (93.0). What may be even more impressive is Dempsey had 154 touches combined between rushes, receptions and kick returns, and did not lose a fumble all season. He was named IBFC Offensive Player of the Week following his 292 yard, three touchdown game against MacMurray in week 10.

Senior linebacker Tommy Butler (Arrowsmith, Ill./Ridgeview) and junior safety Tony Martin (Lexington, Ill./HS) were also named to the 2nd Team. Butler recorded 13 tackles and three tackles for loss in three games before suffering a season ending injury. He had 93 tackles and 10 for loss over the two previous seasons. Martin tallied the second most solo tackles on the team with 40 and added two fumble recoveries. He ranked 34th in the IBFC with 49 total tackles, including 10 against Aurora.

Four of the seven Red Devils on the IBFC Honorable Mention list came from the offensive side of the ball. Offensive linemen Brian Carver (Springfield, Ill./Lanphier) and James Albers (Mendota, Ill./HS) made for a dependable left side of the line as each started all 10 contests. The Red Devils scored 26 more points this season with their help.

Sophomore tight end Brad Polanin (Metamora, Ill./HS) led EC with 15.8 yards per catch. His season was highlighted by a game-winning 25 yard touchdown in the fourth quarter versus Concordia Chicago. He caught the pass from fellow sophomore and honorable mention teammate Nick Lindsey (Homer, Ill./Heritage). Lindsey placed third in the conference in passing (109.3) and total offense (131.9). He posted the second best completion percentage (50.5%), and tossed just eight interceptions in 202 pass attempts, helping EC lead the league with a +6 turnover margin.

Freshman Jacob Ioerger (Minonk, Ill./Fieldcrest) was one of three Red Devil defenders cited for honorable mention. Ioerger registered 29 tackles, four for loss and one sack on the season. He was one of 19 first-year players to receive all-conference honors. Sophomore linebackers Matt Knake (Freeburg, Ill./HS) and Michael Moseley (Lubbock, Texas/Monterey) round out the list. Both players were named the IBFC Defensive Player of the Week during the year. Knake led Eureka and ranked eighth in the league with 71 tackles. Moseley led the Red Devils with nine tackles for loss.

Each all-conference award will be announced again at the E-Tribe Fall Sports Banquet Sunday, Nov. 18 at Noon.

Click here for the complete IBFC All-Conference team

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For More Information Contact:

Brian Sullivan
Sports Information Director
Eureka College
300 E. College Avenue
Eureka, Illinois 61530
309-467-6456
bsullivan@eureka.edu