Contact: Nicholas Osterloo, Director of Athletics Communication, 630-637-5324
Nov. 18, 2025 - The North Central College football team earned 19 All-College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin honors, including a record 14 First Team selections and four specialty awards, following a league-wide coaches vote Monday. The Cardinals completed their fifth straight unbeaten conference slate to claim a CCIW championship for the 19th time in program history.
For the fourth consecutive season, North Central swept the top individual awards. Cortez Jones was named CCIW Offensive Lineman of the Year, Thomas Skokna earned the CCIW Art Keller Offensive Player of the Year honor, and John Sullivan received the CCIW Don Larson Defensive Player of the Year award. The Cardinal coaching staff, led by head coach Brad Spencer, was recognized with the CCIW Bob Reade Coaching Staff of the Year accolade.
Jones transitioned to the offensive line this past offseason, starting all 10 games at right tackle. He helped block for the league's top offense, which averaged 55.2 points per game against CCIW opponents and posted a conference-best 514.1 yards per contest. North Central has now claimed the Offensive Lineman of the Year honor all seven years since the award's inception in 2018.
Skokna led all CCIW wide receivers with 18 touchdown catches, the only wideout in the league with more than 10. He scored multiple touchdowns in seven of nine conference games and finished with 51 receptions for 806 yards, the second-most in the CCIW. His 30 points against Millikin University also led the league.
Sullivan, now a two-time Defensive Player of the Year, anchored a Cardinal defense that allowed just 5.8 points and 195.3 yards per game, both league bests. He ranked among the CCIW's top 10 in sacks (4.0) and tackles for loss (12.5). This marks the fourth straight season a Cardinal has earned the Defensive Player of the Year award.
Spencer collected his fourth consecutive Coach of the Year honor, trailing only the award's namesake, Bob Reade, who won five straight at Augustana College from 1983–87.
Joining Skokna and Jones as First Team offensive selections were quarterback Garret Wilson, running back Donovan McNeal, and offensive lineman Jerred Durian. Second Team honors went to wide receiver Jack Rummell, tight end Grant McAtee, and offensive linemen Tyson Cramer and Brock Nunez.
Kicker Aidan Ellison became the seventh in program history to earn First Team All-CCIW recognition. He went 11-for-11 in conference play and made the longest field goal in Division III this season, a 57-yarder.
On defense, the entire starting line earned First Team accolades as Bobby Medina, Maverick Ohle and Eli Renick joined Sullivan. Linebackers Matt Janiak and Danny Nuccio, along with defensive backs Brayden Garrigan and Rahmareon Roby, also received First Team honors. Ethan Groark added a Second Team All-CCIW selection.
The CCIW also announced the nine winners of its RESPECT Award for the season. RESPECT Award recipients have distinguished themselves as an integral member of the team, their institution and community by upholding the values of Responsibility, Enthusiasm, Service, Pride, Excellence, Collaboration and Trust. The RESPECT Award recognizes the intangible traits a student-athlete possesses that exemplify great character and encourage inclusiveness and a positive culture. North Central's RESPECT Award honoree is senior quarterback Alex Porter.
North Central begins its 17th postseason by awaiting its second-round opponent, which will be decided in Saturday's first-round game between Hanover College and Grove City College. The second-round contest is scheduled for noon at Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium.
