Saint Patrick High School linebacker Brandon Kreczmer signed a National Letter of Intent to play football on a scholarship next season at Western Illinois University on February 1, 2006. Kreczmer will join head coach Don Patterson and the Leathernecks in Macomb, Illinois after an outstanding career on the gridiron for the Shamrocks.

Saint Patrick Head Coach Dan Galante feels that Kreczmer will be a good fit at Western Illinois, “I am very happy for Brandon. He has a passion for the game of football, and it has shown in the way he practiced and played at Saint Patrick. Now he has an opportunity to play for a terrific program in a defensive scheme that will fit his talents in the state of Illinois. I expect Brandon to have a great career at Western Illinois and make an impact on their program.” Kreczmer was a two-time All East Suburban Catholic Conference selection, who was recognized as the conference’s Defensive Lineman of the Year and was named Special Mention All-State by the Chicago Tribune as a senior.

Kreczmer was the leader of the Saint Patrick defense in 2005. Despite the fact that opposing teams either double-teamed Kreczmer, or ran away from him, he led the Shamrocks in tackles (90), solo tackles (41), tackles for loss (25), quarterback hurries (7), and sacks (7.5). Kreczmer recorded double-digit tackles on four occasions, including a career best 16-tackle, three-sack performance against Marist. Four weeks later, Kreczmer piled up 15 tackles, five tackles for loss and three quarterback hurries in a win over Marian Catholic. In the final game of the season, Kreczmer tallied 10 tackles and a sack against IHSA Class 8A Runner-up Maine South.

Playing opposite all-stater Mark Dietz as a junior, Kreczmer established himself with a solid season. Kreczmer tallied 61 tackles, 21 solo tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 12 quarterback hurries, and five sacks. The highlight of Kreczmer’s junior year came when he recorded 11 tackles and three quarterback hurries as the Shamrocks rallied from a 19-0 deficit to snap defending state champion Carmel’s 21-game winning streak with a 20-19 victory. The next week, Kreczmer posted a season-high 13 tackles in a win at Benet Academy.

Kreczmer joins a Leatherneck program that has produced several National Football League standouts, including pro bowlers Mike Wagner, Bryan Cox, and Rodney Harrison. In coach Don Patterson’s seventh season the Leathernecks were 5-6 with a 3-4 record in conference play. Over his career at Western Illinois, Patterson has a record of 50-31. Patterson’s teams have won two Gateway Conference Championships, and qualified for the NCAA Division I-AA Playoffs three times.