By Paul Condry and Matt Kopsea
Rocco Allegretti could not have asked for a better sendoff.
Playing in his final high school football game, the 6-foot, 210-pound defensive lineman came up big with eight tackles as No. 5 Andrean blanked No. 2 and previously unbeaten Brownstown Central, 7-0, to claim the Class 2A state championship.
In addition to being a big contributor on both sides of the front line for the 59ers, Allegretti is also a standout performer in the classroom as well with a 4.37 grade-point average.
That’s probably why he was an easy selection for the 2025 Indianapolis Colts and Indiana Football Coaches Association’s Academic All-Star Team.
Allegretti is one of 24 senior student athletes who are ranked in the top five percent of their class that are being honored for their contributions both on the playing field and the classroom.
I’ve been able to maintain my grades while playing sports with my time management and efficiency skills,” said Allegretti, who is currently ranked third in his graduating class. “My parents also stressed the importance of getting good grades as I was growing up.”
Since he began participating in Pop Warner football for the Tri-Town Raiders in the first grade, he has had love for the game.
“My family has consistently been there to support me and challenge me to be the best version of myself,” explained Allegretti, who contributed 56 tackles with five for loss, two quarterback sacks, and fumble recovery during the 2025 campaign. “One of biggest influences has been my cousin Nicky Allegretti, who is currently an offensive lineman for the Washington Commanders and won three Super Bowls with the Kansas City Chiefs. I have always admired his work ethic and dedication to the sport.”
Unfortunately, his playing days are over as he plans on concentrating on academics by majoring in mechanical engineering in college.
“Rocco is the emotional leader of our defense,” said Andrean head coach Chris Skinner. “He is undersized relative to almost all the offensive linemen he lines up against, but he has a tenacity and motor that is unmatched. His teammates respect his work ethic. They respect his toughness. He represents what it means to be an Andrean football player, which are academic accountability, achieving above expectations, and embracing the family nature of our program.”
Another recipient who enjoyed success on the field this fall was LaVille offensive lineman Braedyn Foster, who paved the way for the Lancers to average 291 yards and 31 points per contest and claim their second sectional crown in the last three years.
“I’ve been able to balance athletics and academics by making sure that I get stuff done ahead of time and never get behind on things,” explained Foster, who is ranked No. 1 in his graduating class with a 4.0 grade-point average. “I also have two study halls, which really keeps things simple because as soon as I receive a new assignment, I can knock it out and not have to worry about it.”
He also credits his family for leading him on the right path.
“My greatest influences growing up were my dad, mom, and Papa,” explained Foster, who started playing football in the fourth grade after his family moved into the LaVille school district. “My dad and Papa taught me most of what I know about sports and always helped me understand and learn how to play the game the right way. They all shaped me into who I am today, and I wouldn’t be who I am without their guidance in my life.
LaVille boss Jeff Kaiser believes Foster is a natural leader.
“Braedyn is a lead by example student athlete,” explained Kaiser. “His peers look to him for advice and know that he has put himself into a position to be successful. His leadership on and off the field is noticed by all that are associated with him. As a coaching staff, we couldn’t be prouder to say he was our leader.
“What makes him such a special player is that even when he has success, he wants more. He wants everyone around him to have that success as well. He is like a coach on the field as a result of his scouting of the opponent weekly and understanding what our schemes are from week to week. His maturity and love for the game of football is what every coach wants to have.”
Foster hopes to get the opportunity to continue his playing career somewhere next fall and major in construction management.
Known for his moves on the basketball court as a point guard, Caleb Vincent proved to be just as effective in the secondary for NorthWood with 18 tackles, including two for loss, and an interception.
Not bad, if you consider the 5-foot-11, 180-pounder had not participated competitively on the gridiron before.
“I have been in athletics my whole life, but I didn’t start playing football until my senior year,” explained Vincent, who is ranked first in his graduating class with a 4.0 grade-point average. “I have balanced athletics and academics by being intentional with my learning in the classroom and also making the most of my time in practice or individual workouts. I owe a lot to my brother and parents, who were my greatest influences growing up.”
NorthWood field general Nate Andrews was glad to have him on his club.
“Caleb is a great leader because of his consistency, discipline, and competitive nature,” Andrews said.
“He is a special player due to his willingness to be coachable and eagerness to improve.”
As it turns out, Vincent is one and done on the gridiron as he hopes to major in mechanical engineering in college.
Other players recognized on offense are Clinton Prairie wide receiver Kye Jacobs, Washington wide receiver Benjamin Merold, Mishawaka Marian tight end Seth Kirzeder, Wes-Del running back Brock Nauman, Chesterton running back Patrick Mochen, Lake Central quarterback Cameron Reddick, Fort Wayne Snider lineman Sawyer Tippmann, Yorktown lineman Henry Tokar, Kankakee Valley lineman Matt Duttlinger, and Indianapolis Pike lineman Muna Newman-Nwodika.
Additional defensive representatives include Munster lineman Beckett Gideon, Indianapolis Bishop Chatard lineman Thomas Borchers, Bedford North Lawrence linebacker Noah Strauser, Hagerstown linebacker Isaac Schmitz, Plainfield linebacker Tyler Simek, DeKalb linebacker Brady Culler, Shenandoah defensive back Karter Gray, Martinsville defensive back Rhys Wolf, and Heritage defensive back Lucas Weber.
Chosen on special teams were Northfield kicker Mason Lyons and Culver Community punter Jonas McCuen.
