Football: Bailey, Morrison Garner Statewide, National Accolades

With the football team on the verge of its first-ever state championship, the last thing and senior are thinking of is personal gains.

But they're getting them anyway.

Already touted heavily as some of the best players in the state and country, news this week made it official.

Morrison, who is in jeopardy of , was named a Butkus Award finalist. The award is handed out annually to the best linebacker in the country.

Winners will be announced by Dec. 7.

The others finalists are:

• Kwon Alexander, Oxford High School (AL)
• Mike Barton, Concord De La Salle High School (CA)
• Noor Davis, Leesburg High School (FL)
• Quanzell Lambert, Timber Creek High School (NJ)
• Jabari Ruffin, Downey High School (CA)

Meanwhile, Bailey, the Raiders' dynamic signal-caller has been named a candidate for the Chicago Tribune's player of the year award.

From the Tribune: 

Aaron Bailey, Bolingbrook: The 6-foot, 215-pound junior is the Bolingbrook offense. When Naperville Central proved it was able to contain the Raiders' option in the semifinals, Bailey went shotgun in an empty backfield and took off on every play. He had his high school version of the "Heisman moment" with the game-winning, 60-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter, and he's rushed for 1,834 yards and 28 TDs this season. Bolingbrook doesn't throw often – he's 50-of-118 for 899 yards with 10 TDs and seven INTs – but he has a great arm and will likely have to use it to beat a well-schooled Loyola defense.

The other nominees are: 

• Ty Isaac, Joliet Catholic
• Anthony Maddie, Aurora Christian
• Malcolm Weaver, Loyola
• Jordan Westerkamp, Montini