SOUTH BEND -- Another high school football season is in the books.
The 2024 campaign saw three South Bend area teams win postseason hardware: Mishawaka and New Prairie in Indiana, and Niles in Michigan. Mishawaka would beat New Prairie in a Class 4A regional game before falling in a semistate heartbreaker to East Noble. Meanwhile, Niles made history with a run to the MHSAA Division 4 state championship game, losing to Goodrich, 35-6, in the finale.
What a season! High school football in the South Bend area: Complete coverage of the 2024 season
Fan vote: Niles' Sam Rucker wins Tribune 2024 High School Football Player of the Year
With great teams comes great individual performers as well. Those players are honored below with the 2024 South Bend Tribune All-Area Football team.
For a second-straight year, we've taken the unconventional path with our All-Area team, as we did not limit certain positions to a fixed number of selections. If we thought a person played well enough to be selected for the all-area team, we put them on there.
We also brought back the special "Multi-Position Players," which recognizes the best two-way stars of the area.
Before we share our all-area team, a congratulations to Niles coach Scot Shaw for being the 2024 Tribune Football Coach of the Year. He shared this honor with NorthWood's Nate Andrews a season ago, but gets it outright for guiding the Vikings to the state finals. Niles finished with a 12-2 record, the most wins in a single season in program history.
Concord senior Jaron Thomas is also our 2024 Tribune Football Player of the Year. More on Thomas can be found below, plus in a story online and in Monday's print edition.
With that being said, here is the 2024 South Bend Tribune All-Area Football Team. Each section's players are listed in alphabetical order by school.
Brunner finished with 1,425 passing yards and 16 touchdowns, plus 272 rushing yards and four scores in 11 games for the Minutemen.
In his first year guiding the Cavemen's run-heavy flexbone offense, Snyder totaled 1,138 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns. He also threw for 529 yards and nine touchdowns.
Robinson showed off his elite athleticism all year, finishing with 1,049 passing yards, 1,217 rushing yards and 30 combined touchdowns (11 pass, 19 rush) in 13 games.
A dual-threat option like Robinson, the Rockies signal caller finished with 890 passing yards and six touchdowns, plus 1,338 rushing yards and 12 scores on the ground.
Anderson cracked the 1,000 yards gained mark, totaling 1,082 and adding 11 touchdowns as well for the Lions.
The Chieftains made the playoffs for the first time in five years, with the 695 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns from Smith helping the cause.
While Zartman was a solid defensive player as well, his calling card came as a running back, where he finished with 1,710 yards and 15 touchdowns on the ground.
Despite missing two games to injury, Allen still totaled 1,157 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns for the Lancers.
Stepping into the starting fullback role for the Cavemen, O'Neal had 1,387 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns in 14 games.
Osman provided the Knights with some firepower all season, accumulating 1,155 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns.
Overmyer earned an at-large selection to the IFCA Class 1A All-State team after leading the Trojans in rushing. He finished with 1,321 yards on the ground and 16 scores.
Monroe was a breakout star this year for the Panthers, finishing with 766 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns across the 12 games he played in.
Bardo was another star that emerged at the receiver spot, hauling in 36 catches for 581 yards and eight touchdowns. He's become one of the top-rated junior wideout recruits in Indiana because of his skill.
Hurley led the Huskies with 42 receptions, 625 yards and eight touchdowns in his sophomore campaign.
Lineberry finished his junior season with 39 catches for 774 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Lafave was named to the IFCA Class 1A Senior All-State team after recording 40 catches for 653 yards and six touchdowns.
Bennett earned an all-NIC nod for his tight end abilities, especially in the blocking department. He also totaled 13 receptions for 75 yards and one touchdown.
In the 162 run plays called to Killelea's side of the offensive line this season, only seven went for negative yards. He was voted the team's offensive MVP.
Arnold has started every game of his career for the Minutemen, with his performance being rewarded with an IFCA Class 5A Junior All-State selection this fall.
An IFCA Class 5A Senior All-State selection, Tucker helped anchor the Concord offense from the left tackle position.
Leading the Cavemen's run-heavy offense, Maust was named to the IFCA Class 4A Senior All-State team for his efforts this fall.
A four-year starter and three-time All-NIC selection was named to the IFCA Class 4A Senior All-State team this season as well.
Snyder consistently graded out as the best linemen for the Cougars all season, per coach Casey McKim. He was a key piece in New Prairie winning a fourth-straight sectional title.
Hamilton was named to the MHSAA Division 4 All-State team, leading the charge up front in the Vikings' flexbone offense that totaled 4,200-plus rushing yards this season.
Parciak was named to the IFCA Class 4A Senior All-State team as an offensive lineman, helping the Panthers reach a sectional championship game.
Brown was an IFCA Class 6A Senior All-State and All-Northern Indiana Conference selection as an offensive tackle.
Schmock was a first-team All-NIC pick along with making the Academic All-NIC and Academic All-State teams.
A second team All-NIC selection, Ditsch anchored a Huskies offensive line that .finished with a 6-5 record, its first winning mark since 2018.
An IFCA Class 5A Junior All-State honoree, Gomez finished with 84 tackles and two interceptions.
Selected as one of the Top 50 players in the state by the IFCA, the University of Tennessee commit had 48 tackles (13.5 for loss), 17 quarterback hurries and three sacks in 10 contests.
More: Elkhart's three D-I linemen headline South Bend area high school football signing day
The Miami (OH) commit had 47 tackles (14 for loss) and two sacks, being named to the IFCA Class 6A Senior All-State team.
Foster had an eye-popping 148 tackles from the defensive lineman spot, one of the top totals in the state.
Johnson was a beast along the Knights' defensive line, finishing with 90 tackles (25 for loss), 21 quarterback hurries and eight sacks to help Marian reach a 3A sectional final. He was an IFCA Class 3A Senior All-State selection for his performance.
King totaled 57 tackles (11 for loss) and a team-leading four sacks in 12 games this season.
Addo led the Huskies from his defensive end position with 63 solo tackles, assisting on 46 others. He also had a team-best nine sacks off of 31 quarterback pressures, three deflected passes and an interception.
Martinez was a key figure for the Minutemen defense, finishing with 116 tackles and two interceptions.
Morris totaled 81 tackles (three for loss), two interceptions, one sack and one field goal block for the Eddies.
On a defense dominated by the defensive line, Jones ended up leading the team with 57 tackles (24 for loss), 20 quarterback hurries and four sacks.
Beeney made the IFCA Class 3A Senior All-State team after finishing with 101 tackles and three sacks this season.
Even though the Slicers struggled overall, Canes earned an IFCA Class 5A Senior All-State selection after totaling 133 tackles and two sacks in 10 games.
Neese's 151 tackles ranked in the top 15 of all players in the state of Indiana this fall.
Buskirk finished with 92 tackles (18 for loss) and seven sacks in 10 games.
The Cavemen had a stout defense all year, and Juarez's 122 tackles and five sacks were a key part of that. He earned an IFCA Class 4A Senior All-State nod for his play.
Putz's 113 tackles, six forced fumbles and four sacks helped him get a spot on the IFCA Class 4A Junior All-State team.
An at-large selection for the IFCA Class 3A Senior All-State team, Smith led the Knights with 145 tackles this season.
Another stout linebacker alongside Smith, Boone finished with 122 tackles and two interceptions for the Knights.
Groves had a team-high 124 tackles (11 for loss), four sacks and two interceptions. He was named to the IFCA Class 4A Senior All-State team.
Granberg had 107 tackles in just 10 games for the Raiders this fall.
Bush helped lead the Rockies' resurgence this year, finishing with 100 tackles in 11 contests.
Coffin was also a key contributor on the Rockies' defense, leading the way with 109 tackles.
Jackson had 52 solo tackles (12 for loss) and assisted on 24 more. He also had nine quarterback hurries, five pass deflections, four sacks, three safeties and three fumble recoveries.
Short had 52 solo tackles and assisted on 52 as well, racking up eight sacks, three fumbles caused, two recovered fumbles and a blocked kick as well.
Verse finished with 95 tackles (7.5 for loss), six sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery in 10 games for the Panthers.
Johnson finished with five interceptions and 30 tackles in his senior season.
After totaling 100 tackles (10 for loss) and one interception this year, Crawford was named to the IFCA Class 5A Senior All-State team.
An IFCA Class 4A Senior All-State selection, Scott had 92 tackles, three interceptions and two fumble recoveries for the 9-4 Cougars.
Olsen had an area-leading eight interceptions on defense to go along with 24.5 tackles.
Freeman was named to the IFCA Class 6A Junior All-State team after finishing with 56 solo tackles and one interception.
Horner had five interceptions and 43 solo tackles in 11 contests for the Kingsmen.
While Workman did a little bit of everything, his calling card was defense, earning Class 1A Senior All-State honors as a defensive back after totaling 27 solo tackles, assisting on 37 others, hauling in three interceptions and scoring two defensive touchdowns.
Sabas made 4-of-5 field goal attempts, 47-of-49 extra points and had 11 of his 17 kickoff attempts result in touchbacks this season.
De Freitas was named the "Mr. Football" for kickers by the IFCA this year, in large part to setting a new state record by making a 62-yard field goal in a game against Concord. He finished 8-of-13 on field goals and 40-of-41 on PAT attempts, becoming a highly coveted kicking recruit in the process.
DeDario was named to the IFCA Class 6A senior All-State team as a punter. He averaged 39.73 yards per punt, including a long of 65 yards.
Garcilazo punted 21 times with a 38.29 yards-per-punt average. He also made 11 of his 12 PAT kicks and had three touchbacks. He was named the punter selection for the IFCA Class 5A Junior All-State team.
On defense, Sobecki totaled 128 tackles. Offensively, he had 939 rushing yards and nine touchdowns for the Bobcats.
Graverson reached the 3,000 career receiving yards mark this season. In his senior campaign, he had 836 receiving yards and eight touchdowns despite missing three games. He added 51 tackles, nine pass deflections, four interceptions and four fumble recoveries on defense, plus went 22-of-24 on PAT kicks and 3-of-5 on field goals.
Frederickson started on both lines for the Lions, earning a spot on the IFCA Class 2A Junior All-State team on offense. Defensively, he had 47 tackles (seven for loss) in 12 games.
The IFCA's "Mr. Football" selection at running back had 1,442 yards and 21 touchdowns. He also led Concord with 146 tackles, adding 3.5 sacks in the process as well.
Breveard finished with 1,512 all-purpose yards (684 receiving, 332 rushing, 362 kickoff returns and 154 punt returns) and a combined 12 touchdowns.
While he'll be playing defensive line in college at Cincinnati, McFee earned a spot on the IFCA Class 6A Senior All-State team as an offensive lineman this fall.
Along with his 1,318 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns, Maran added 54 tackles in 11 games played.
There wasn't much Jackson didn't do this season. On offense, he had 459 receiving yards, 129 rushing yards and 11 combined touchdowns. Defensively, he had 25 tackles and four interceptions. He also impacted the game on special teams with two punt and two kickoff returns for scores.
The University of Kansas commit had 84 tackles (30 for loss) and 12.5 sacks in only 10 games played along the Wolves' defensive line. He also started every game on the offensive line as well.
Snyder made his living on defense, recording 137 tackles and four interceptions to earn IFCA Class 4A Senior All-State honors as a linebacker. He was also vital to Mishawaka's offense, too, finishing with 591 rushing yards and seven total touchdowns (six rushing, one receiving).
Hess led the Vikings with 1,222 rushing yards, with his 15 touchdowns ranking second. Defensively, he had 65 tackles.
Rucker joined Hess for a star-studded backfield, finishing with 1,144 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns, plus 99 receiving yards and a regional-winning touchdown reception. He also added 86.5 tackles, two kickoff return touchdowns and one punt return touchdown, plus was the team's primary punter with a 36 yard-per-kick average.
To'oto'o was named to the All-NIC team as a wideout, finishing with 407 receiving yards and five touchdowns. He also had 151 rushing yards and five scores on offense while adding 68 tackles and an interception defensively.