Saint Patrick senior linebacker/running back Mark Dietz was recently named to the 2004 Illinois High School Football Coaches’ Association Class 7A All-State Team.

Saint Patrick had their most successful campaign since 1989, posting a 9-2 record, and the versatile Dietz was the Shamrocks’ leader in almost every statistical category, both offensively and defensively.

Dietz was at his most dominant on the defensive side of the ball, recording 63 tackles, including 20 tackles for loss and 12 sacks. Dietz was named East Suburban Catholic Conference Defensive Player of the Year.

Dietz piled up a season-high 10 tackles and three sacks in a 17-13 win at Marist. The following week, Dietz had his best performance of the season as the Shamrocks rallied from a 19-0 deficit to snap Carmel’s 21-game winning streak with a 20-19 victory. Dietz tallied ten tackles while carrying the ball 20 times for 132 yards and scoring two touchdowns to lead the Shamrocks to victory over the defending Class 6A State Champion Corsairs.

Offensively, Dietz paced the Shamrocks with 674 yards rushing on 118 carries (5.7 avg.), and scored 12 touchdowns. Twice Dietz topped the 100-yard rushing mark with a career-high 132 yards versus Carmel and 126 yards on only 14 carries at Marian Catholic. Dietz also handled the punting duties for Saint Patrick, kicking 19 times for 589 yards (31.0 avg.).