Six Red Devils Receive 2022 All-NACC Football Honors
MILWAUKEE, Wis. – Six Eureka football players have received All-Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference recognition, according to an announcement from the league office on Friday.
Sophomore wide receiver Sebastian Hill (Pekin, Ill./Pekin) headlined the list for the Red Devils, receiving All-NACC First Team honors.
Senior running back Ben Bernabei (Peru, Ill./St. Bede Academy), junior offensive lineman Hugo Garza (Arcola, Ill./Arcola) and senior linebacker Brendan Durr (Washington, Ill./Washington) were named to the All-NACC Second Team.
Senior defensive lineman Donovan Hathaway (East Peoria, Ill./East Peoria) and senior wide receiver Pierce Bradford (Decatur, Ill./Argenta-Oreana) both received All-NACC Honorable Mention.
FULL ALL-NACC TEAMS AND HONORS
Hill, who received All-NACC Honorable Mention as a freshman in 2021, was the Red Devils' top receiver this fall. He hauled in 48 receptions for 780 receiving yards and scored five touchdowns. He notched over 100 receiving yards in a game three times, had 90-plus five times and recorded at least six receptions in a game four times. He ranked in the top four in the league in receiving yards (780), receptions (48) and yards per game (77.9).
Bernabei, another 2021 all-NACC Honorable Mention, leveled up this season, tallying 551 rushing yards on 122 carries and four rushing touchdowns. He rushed for over 120 yards in a game twice and recorded more than 20 carries in a game three times. He also had 11 receptions for 50 yards and was a key blocker in the Red Devils' backfield.
In his first full healthy season as a Red Devil, Garza was an anchor on the maroon and gold's offensive line. He emerged as a leader and was consistently a physical presence.
Durr followed Eureka's tradition of prolific linebackers. He was consistently the Red Devils' standout on the defensive side of the ball while racking up a career-high 80 total tackles, including 37 solos and 43 assists. He averaged eight total tackles per game, contributed 4 1/2 tackles for loss, made two sacks and had one pass breakup. His 80 total tackles tied for fifth in the league.
Bradford, a two-time All-NACC Honorable Mention recipient, was another dangerous weapon in the Red Devils' receiving corps. He posted 33 receptions for 462 receiving yards and five touchdowns this season. He had five receptions or more in a game five times and had a season-high 124 yards on five catches, along with a touchdown, in Eureka's 27-13 conference win at Concordia Chicago on Oct. 1.
He finishes his collegiate career tied for third in program history in receiving touchdowns (21), fourth in receptions (107), fourth in receiving yards (1,741) and tied for seventh yards per reception (16.3).
Hathaway is a first-time All-NACC honoree. Another key defensive lineman, he had a knack for making big plays when the moment called for it. He contributed 38 total tackles, including 20 solos and 18 assists and three for loss. He also had two forced fumble, one fumble recovery, two pass breakups and blocked two extra points.