Jeske stunned by post season honor

Joliet, Ill. inside linebacker prospect Chris Jeske (6-foot-1, 225 pounds) is in line to receive several post-season honors this fall, yet even Jeske was stunned and surprised when he was named as the Chicagoland Player of the Year last Friday by the Chicago Sun-Times.

“I was really surprised and stunned," Jeske said. “Those awards usually go to the offensive guys, so I was really surprised to be named as the Sun Times Player of the Year. It's a great honor, and it really hasn't hit me yet. I'm still sort of shocked by it all."

Jeske and his Hilltopper teammates defeated Fenwick 35-0 last Friday to advance to this Saturday's Class 5A state semifinal game in Jacksonville.

"I was really pumped for the Fenwick game last week. Friday night was fun, and I felt that defensively we played a really good game. Our offense has been getting a lot of the headlines this year and they deserve it, but now it's time for our defense to start making headlines as well."

Jeske and the Hilltoppers will hit the road this Saturday after hosting playoff games for the first three rounds.

"I actually really like road games in the playoffs. It's a different feeling and a different place to play at and that's fun. I remember last playoffs when we played at LaSalle-Peru, they had an amazing stadium for football. I'll also never forget that game, because just before hitting the field for the pre-game warmups, some 10 year old girl was calling my name and my number, so I looked up at her. She saw me looking at her, and she then said an expletive and also made a hand gesture if you know what I mean. I still crack up over that."

Recruiting news on Jeske?

"The latest offer I've received is from Colorado State. I still have offers from Arizona, Indiana, Kansas, Northwestern, UCLA, Wisconsin, Wyoming and now Colorado State. I'll look to set some official visits after the season is over."