Eastern junior linebacker Nick Nasti was the 2006-2007 Chicago Tribune Player of the Year in football.

Providence’s Pete Houlihan and De La Salle’s D.J. Bland both earned Chicago Tribune First Team honors this year.

Houlihan played almost every position for the Celtics as they lost in the 6A state championship game.

He was named to the Catholic Blue All-Conference squad, was the conference player of the year and was a coach’s all-state honoree.

He had 55 tackles (33 solo, 22 assists), six interceptions (two returned for touchdowns), two forced fumbles, 11 pass deflections, a kickoff return for a touchdown, two punt return touchdowns, 16 receptions, 366 yards receiving and three touchdowns.

“We had him in camp and he was technically sound already,” secondary coach Bobby Babich said. “That was both on film and in camp.”

Babich said he knows Houlihan will be a corner.

“I could see Pete in the mold of (junior cornerback) C.Jj James down the road,” Babich said.

Eastern defensive line coach Forrest Jackson picked a good time to see Bland.

Jackson saw Bland score four touchdowns in a variety of ways, including a punt return for a touchdown.

“He’s got one of those great personalities that (people) flock to,” Jackson said.

Bland was the Catholic White MVP this season and originally committed to Alcorn State, before he had a change of heart.

“I felt like (Eastern) was a place I could call home,” Bland said. “Alcorn was not the best fit for me,”

Bland said he likes the family atmosphere of Eastern.

“They loved me as one of their own.” he said.

More wrestlers on the way

Columbus’ (Miami) Alex Wethy has won more than 100 matches in his prep wrestling career.

Picking up a wrestler is not anything new for the Panthers.

Nasti was a state wrestling champ during his senior year and sophomore linebacker Gordy Kickels was also a state wrestler.

St. Charles East senior Jon Voytilla just entered wrestling his senior year. Voytilla helped his football team post a seven-game winning streak after the Saints dropped their first two games of the season.

The Saints went on to win the Upstate Eight Conference as their defense gave up less than six points a game during the seven-game winning streak.

“He proved us right during the course of the season,” special teams coordinator Matt Smiley said.

Smiley was most impressed with Voytilla when the team had to close because of the swine flu.

“Jon was one the guys that helped them through that,” Smiley said. “He had to lead those guys.”

State basketball experience

Oswego’s Collin Siebert and Marshall’s Taylor Duncan both played in last year’s Illinois High School Association basketball tournament.

Marshall finished third in Class 2A as Duncan poured in 21 points and eight rebounds in the third place game.

Siebert scored 10 points as Oswego took second place in Class 4A.

Midwest connection

The only Pennsylvania athlete tohat willbe on the roster next season is Parkland’s (Pa.) Adam Gristick.

The senior from Allentown, Pa., sent video to the Eastern coaching staff to get himself noticed.

Gristick’s uncle is Missouri’s defensive coordinator Dave Steckel.

Eastern connection

Lockport’s Niko Folty’s sister, Erika, is a cross country and track runner at Eastern, giving Folty an Eastern connection.

Niko had two interceptions and recovered one block punt for a touchdown.

Kevin Murphy can be reached at 581-7944 or kjmurphy@eiu.edu