2018 Northwest Herald Male Athlete of the Year: Huntley's Eric Mooney

Huntley’s Eric Mooney was always one of the fastest players on the football field, so naturally his running prowess drew a lot of interest from NCAA Division I coaches.

But Mooney showed something else last fall as he threw the ball like never before. He finished the season third in area passing yardage, completing 66.3 percent of his throws, and fourth in rushing yardage for the 8-2 Red Raiders.

He capped his high school athletic career with a pair of medals at the IHSA Class 3A Boys Track and Field State Meet, taking eighth in the 200 meters and seventh with Antonio Passarelli, Zach Tepper and Ron Noll in the 4x100 relay.

Northern Iowa recruited Mooney as a quarterback, and Mooney signed with the Panthers. Mooney is the Northwest Herald Male Athlete of the Year, selected by the sports staff. Huntley will receive a $2,500 donation from local orthopedic surgeon Dr. Steven Rochell for Mooney winning the award.

Mooney, who is in Cedar Falls, Iowa taking classes and getting to know his new teammates, answers some questions from sports writer Joe Stevenson.

If you could hop in a time machine, what athletic event would you want to see?

Mooney: I would want to go see the fourth quarter of our Class 8A playoff game with Edwardsville, a game we should have won. I can remember a play I wanted to change a receiver's route on, but didn't because I was not sure if I'd be right.

What are three of your favorite sports movies?

Mooney: "Friday Night Lights," "Remember the Titans" and "Coach Carter."

What position that you don’t play would be you good at?

Mooney: I feel like I would be a solid defensive back or receiver. I really want to say linebacker because I used to play it in little league, but I would need to put on about 20 pounds.

You get to talk quarterback play for an afternoon with anyone in history, who would it be?

Mooney: Hmm, good question. I would probably talk to Patriots coach Bill Belichik. I feel like any and every quarterback he has ever coached he has made good or they have worked successfully in his system. I'd like to learn more about his system and thought process.

What’s your favorite wild animal?

Mooney: A sloth because of the movie "Ice Age." The one sloth, Syd, makes me laugh.

What is a moment or game you remember well from your senior year?

Mooney: That fourth-quarter drive against Edwardsville. I didn't call a hitch and go on a hitch route because I wanted to play it safe. I knew the DB was going to bite on the hitch and I wish I could have changed my decision on that.

Is there a significance to your No. 5?

Mooney: My brother, Bret. I used to try and figure out who I wanted to play like when I was younger, and it was him. I changed my number to 10 this year because I couldn't get 5. I figured 5 plus 5 equals 10 (me and my brother).

What would be your dream job?

Mooney: Playing in the NFL.

What is your favorite professional sports team?

Mooney: The Bears, the Bulls, the Cubs and the Blackhawks.

How often do you tweet?

Mooney: Not that often. Probably once a week or maybe less.

What musical act would you most like to see in concert?

Mooney: I'm not sure. I am not a huge fan of concerts, but I have been to Gucci Mane and The Weekend concert, which was a blast.

What was your favorite book as a child?

Mooney: "Go Long," "Kickoff" and "By My Brother's Side." (Ronde and Tiki Barber wrote the first two, Tiki wrote the last one).

What actor would play you in a movie about your life?

Mooney: Michael B. Jordan.

What would you do for a Klondike bar?

Mooney: Ha-ha, I really don't know. I have never had one.

What superpower would you like to have and what would be your superhero name?

Mooney: I would like to have the power to wash my clothes without actually doing it.