Dupage Policy Journal

The College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) has announced its 2025 football awards and All-Conference teams, recognizing standout performances from across the league. North Central College led the honors, with four major awards going to its program.

Senior wide receiver Thomas Skokna of North Central was named the Art Keller Offensive Student-Athlete of the Year after leading the conference in scoring with 19 touchdowns. He also ranked second in receptions and receiving yards with 51 catches for 806 yards. "Skokna is the ninth wide receiver in league history to earn the Art Keller Offensive Student-Athlete of the Year award and the first since NCC’s Andrew Kamienski in 2021," according to CCIW.

John Sullivan, also a senior at North Central, repeated as Don Larson Defensive Student-Athlete of the Year. The defensive lineman recorded 12.5 tackles for loss and four sacks over nine league games, helping his team allow just 5.8 points per game. "Sullivan repeated as the league’s Don Larson Defensive Student-Athlete of the Year, the first player to seize consecutive selections as the league’s top defensive performer since Dallas McRae of Wheaton in 2019 and 2021," CCIW stated.

North Central's junior Cortez Jones earned Offensive Line Student-Athlete of the Year honors, joining previous Cardinals who have won this recognition since 2018. Jones anchored an offensive line that averaged more than 500 yards and over 55 points per game during conference play.

First-year awards went to WashU’s Jason Doyle on offense and Carthage’s Mariano Talamantez on defense. Doyle contributed to WashU's third-place finish in scoring at nearly 32 points per game and helped lead their rushing attack to second-best in the conference at nearly 196 yards per contest. Talamantez was recognized for his defensive contributions including averaging five tackles per game and three interceptions against CCIW opponents.

North Central's coaching staff, led by Brad Spencer, received Bob Reade Coaching Staff of the Year after guiding their team to a fifth straight undefeated conference title. Under Spencer's leadership since taking over in 2022, North Central has won all its conference games for a record streak of 51 consecutive victories.

Wheaton's Ethan Brunner was awarded the CCIW Elite 26 honor for having the highest cumulative grade-point average among student-athletes on teams finishing first or second in final standings.

In total, seventy student-athletes were selected for All-CCIW honors across first and second teams on offense, defense, and special teams. Additional recognitions included recipients of RESPECT Awards from each member institution.