BEARS ANNOUNCE HIGH SCHOOL COACH AND ALL-STAR OF THE WEEK—WEEK 9

BEARS HIGH SCHOOL COACH OF THE WEEK

Tom Fedderly of Kaneland High School in Maple Park, IL was named the Chicago Bears High School "Coach of the Week" for Week 9.

Tom Fedderly of Kaneland High School was named the Chicago Bears High School Coach of the Week for Week 9.

Coach Fedderly led the Knights to their third consecutive Northern Illinois Big 12 East title on Friday with a thrilling 33-30 victory over previously unbeaten Morris High School. The game featured six lead changes, with four occurring in the fourth quarter and three in the last 4:10. Kaneland trailed Morris 30-27 with 1:33 remaining in the game, but the Knights drove 67 yards and scored a touchdown with 27 seconds left on the clock to take the lead for good.

Now in his fifth season as head coach at Kaneland, Fedderly has led the Knights to three straight undefeated regular seasons. They will take a 28-game regular season winning streak into their 2013 opener. The Knights have not lost a Northern Illinois Big 12 East game since the conference was established.

Coach Fedderly will be invited to the Bears vs. Seahawks game on Sunday, December 2 and will be recognized during an on-field ceremony. He will also receive a framed certificate and attend a Bears practice and "chalk-talk" with head coach Lovie Smith and other 2012 "Coach of the Week" honorees.

The Chicago Bears "Coach of the Week" program is in its 17th season. The program honors outstanding Illinois high school coaches who develop players' football skills and knowledge, character, leadership, discipline and teamwork abilities. Other criteria considered include unique coaching methodology, community and off-field components, school and community support, volunteerism and, most importantly, contributions to players' long-term success on and off the field.

The program ran for nine weeks from August 27 through October 22. Deserving high school coaches were nominated by a panel of local prep authorities and the winning "Coach of the Week" was selected each week. The Chicago Bears will make a $1,500 contribution to the football program at each winning coach's school. Since the program's inception, the Bears have donated over $210,000 to Illinois high schools in support of their football programs. The Chicago Bears "Coach of the Week" program is brought to you by FOX Chicago.

In addition to the "Coach of the Week" winners being honored at the Bears vs. Seahawks game on December 2, all eight IHSA football state champion teams will be recognized at this game.

The Chicago Bears, in partnership with the Illinois High School Association and the Illinois Army National Guard, will invite representatives from each team to the game, and a special recognition of their state titles will take place during halftime.

BEARS HIGH SCHOOL ALL-STAR OF THE WEEK

Jack Beneventi of Benet Academy in Lisle, IL was named the "Bears High School All-Star" for Week 9.

Beneventi, a 6'6" sophomore quarterback, helped his team attain a 31-21 victory over Joliet Catholic Academy and a share of the school's first East Suburban Catholic Conference title.

After falling behind 14-0 in the first quarter and trailing 21-14 at the half, the Redwings mounted a second half comeback by scoring 17 unanswered points. Beneventi went 29-of-36, including 13-for-14 in the second half, and finished the night with 349 yards and four touchdowns.

After going 1-8 in 2011, Benet finished the 2012 regular season at 8-1. The Redwings are the number two seed in the IHSA Class 7A playoffs and will face seventh-seeded Andrew High School this weekend.

Each week for nine weeks, an outstanding high school football player was selected through the "Bears High School All-Stars" program. Each of the nine players had the opportunity to direct a $1,000 monetary donation to the youth football program of his choice. In addition, the nine players will be guests of the Bears and the Illinois Army National Guard at the Bears vs. Seahawks game on Sunday, December 2 and will be recognized during an on-field ceremony. The nomination criteria for the program included on-field performance, community involvement and good sportsmanship.

The "Bears High School All-Stars" program, which is sponsored by the Illinois Army National Guard, ran from August 27 through October 22. Deserving high school players were nominated by a panel of local prep authorities, and the winning player was selected each week.

In addition to the "Bears High School All-Stars" being honored at the Bears vs. Seahawks game on December 2, all eight IHSA football state champion teams will be recognized at this game. The Chicago Bears, in partnership with the Illinois High School Association and the Illinois Army National Guard, will invite representatives from each team to the game, and a special recognition of their state titles will take place during halftime.

For more information, log on to www.chicagobears.com/community or call the Chicago Bears Community Relations department at (847) 739-5418.