Publications & Sites 
All-Area Football Offense: Player of the Year and First Team
Park Ridge 11/27/12 Maine South QB Matt Alviti poses by one of the NIke sponsored signs used by the high school. | Michelle LaVigne ~ Sun-Times Media
Article Extras
Updated: December 6, 2012 6:29PM
A three-year starter, Matt Alviti is a Maine South senior who threw for 2,877 yards and 29 touchdowns this season. The Northwestern-bound signal-caller also ran for another 971 yards and 19 scores for the 11-1 CSL South champions. Alviti, a 2012 Class 8A all-state selection, finished his high school career 33-4 and won a state title as a sophomore.
Alviti’s favorite class right now is marketing. After spending so much time with Nike representatives throughout his playing career at Maine South, he said he considers working for the company to be a dream job. The Hawks were one of eight prep teams in the country to be issued the brand’s Pro Combat uniforms this year for the playoffs.
What do you plan on studying at Northwestern? “There’s no undergraduate business program, so I applied to the communications school. But I want to get into the business world someday.”
Do you know who you would want to work for once you’re done with school and sports? “Probably Nike. They’ve been around us so much, and I have liked all of the people who have been at our school. They really seem to give back and care about the kids.”
You will have a tremendous opportunity while at Northwestern, which always has been a top-notch academic school and now has a football program ranked among the country’s best. Was having that balance important to you? “Definitely. That was a big reason why I picked Northwestern. They are getting better and better each year. Plus, it’s one of the best universities to get in education.”
ALL-AREA FIRST TEAM OFFENSE
QB — Matt Alviti
See Player of the Year Q & A.
RB — Chris James
A workhorse runner, the Notre Dame junior attracted interest from major colleges and ran for 2,089 yards and 29 TDs during his breakout fall. James carried the Dons to the state quarters for the first time since 1998 and earned himself Class 6A all-state honors.
RB — Grant Rushing
Injuries slowed Rushing last season, but the Glenbrook North senior ran himself onto the Class 7A all-state team in 2012. Highlighted by his 411-yard performance against Niles North, Rushing averaged more than a first down every handoff and ran for 1,662 yards and 24 TDs to power the Spartans to the CSL North title.
RB — Jakari Cammon
The Oak Park-River Forest senior ran for 300 yards against York and finished with 1,605 yards and 20 TDs to help the Huskies to the playoffs for the first time since 2009.
WR — Matthew Harris
The Lyons senior showed from the start of the season why he is slated to play football at Northwestern next year. Against Downers South in Week 2, he touched the ball nine times and scored four TDs. Harris also helped the Lions make the state quarterfinals two seasons in a row.
TE — Javier Rhoades
The WSC Gold’s defensive lineman of the year also was a key component of Leyden’s offense as a blocker and receiver. Rhoades, a senior, caught 10 passes for 290 yards and two TDs. Defensively, the 6-foot-3, 255-pounder returned an interception for a TD.
OL — Patrick Maloney
Maine South coach Dave Inserra called Maloney the “best lineman” he’s coached in 12 seasons. The Ball State-bound, 6-3, 275-pounder senior had 31 pancake blocks and was a two-time lineman of the year in the CSL South.
OL — Nick Demes
The 6-4, 270-pound Lyons senior anchored the team’s line and assisted in the Lions getting back to the state quarterfinals for a second consecutive season. He plans to play at Penn.
OL — Zach Novoselsky
The 6-5, 265-pound Stevenson junior tackle paved the way for an offense that averaged 136.2 yards on the ground and 219.4 yards through the air. The Patriots won at least one playoff game for a fourth year in a row.
OL — Zach Husain
The 6-2, 245-pound Evanston senior was a big part of the team’s recent turnaround, which included three consecutive playoff appearances during his time on varsity.
OL — Nick Piker
The Hinsdale Central senior started at left tackle and is receiving interest from several colleges, including those in the Big Ten. The 6-4, 270-pounder also is a standout discus thrower for the Red Devils.
PK — Zach Laszkiewicz
The Fenwick senior was a weapon for the Friars on both offense and defense. He finished 36-for-38 on PATs and 5-for-7 on field goals, including two game-winners. He also notched 30 touchbacks.
KR — Brett Laurie
A two-year starter, the Glenbrook South junior was capable of changing the game at any time on offense, defense or special teams. He averaged 28.8 yards per return. Laurie scored 10 rushing TDs, four receiving TDs, returned two interceptions for TDs and scored on a punt return.
— Matt Harness
