15 Kats Named To All-Southland Football Team
11/25/2014 3:09:00 PM | Football
Freshman defensive end P. J. Hall was named as the league's “Freshman of the Year” Tuesday and joined 14 other Bearkats of the 2014 All-Southland Conference football team.
Six Sam Houston players were named as first team members, three on the second team and five were honorable mention selections.
Running back Keshawn Hill and offensive lineman Donald Jackson III were voted to the All-Southland offensive first team. Hall, cornerback Trenier Orr and safety Michael Wade made the all-league defensive first team. Lachlan Edwards was the conference's first-team punter.
Offensive lineman Brandon DeWitt, linebacker Myke Chatman and kicking specialist Luc Swimberghe were second team selections.
Honorable mention players on the all-league squad for Sam Houston are cornerback Mikell Everette, defensive end Mouf Adebo, defensive tackle Jacobi Hunter, wide receiver Yedidiah Louis, offensive lineman Bridge Blount and quarterback Jared Johnson.
The All-Southland team is selected annually by vote of the league's head football coaches and sports information directors.
The 15 players named to the honor squad helped lead Sam Houston to its third Southland Conference championship in four years. The Bearkats were the league's automatic qualifier for the FCS post season playoff. The Kats will play host to Southeastern Louisiana in the opening round Saturday at 1 p.m. at Elliott T. Bowers Stadium.
Each of the Bearkat selections racked up superlatives during the 2014 regular season.
Hall is a finalist for the Jerry Rice award as FCS national freshman of the year. The Seguin product is the only freshman ranked nationally among the top 30 players in tackles for losses. His 20 TFLs stand as the fourth highest season total in school history. Hall is a three-time Southland “Defensive Player of the Week” who has 68 tackles, blocked three kicks, caused two fumbles and intercepted one pass.
Hill ranks second in scoring and third in rushing touchdowns this year, running for 1,001 yards in 11 games. The Klein senior ranks fifth nationally with 10.9 points per game and sixth in the FCS in both rushing yards per carry (6.7) and rushing touchdowns (18). He has won both national and conference “Player of the Week” honors, scored in all but one game and had seven runs of more than 50 yards.
Wade, the only senior starter on the defense, leads Sam Houston with 86 tackles this year and has two interceptions. The former Arp standout ranks 10th all-time at SHSU with 248 career tackles. He has produced double digit tackles in five games this fall.
Jackson, in his third year as a starter, has led the way for a Bearkat attack that ranks sixth nationally and number one in the Southland in rushing offense with 268.1 yards per game. The Kilgore product has been a key player for an offense that ranks No. 7 nationally in red zone production and 14th in scoring offense (37.3).
Orr, a transfer from Cincinnati, has four interceptions this season, bringing one back for a 55-yard touchdown. The Orlando, Florida, native has totaled 54 tackles, nine pass break-ups and three tackles for losses.
Edwards is the top punter in the Southland Conference and ranks No. 6 nationally in FCS with a 44.4 average. He has 22 punts of more than 50 yards this fall. The results of his punts have included 22 fair catches and 25 punts killed inside the 20-yard line.
DeWitt is a second-year starter at offensive tackle for the Bearkats. The Lawton, Oklahoma, product has played a key role in helping the SHSU offense to average 268.1 yards per game rushing and score 37.3 points per contest.
Swimberghe, only a sophomore, now ranks No. 3 all-time at Sam Houston with 195 career kicking points. The Tyler Lindale product has scored 98 points this fall with 14-of-16 successful tries on field goals and 56 of 58 made point after touchdown attempts. He earned Southland “Special Teams Player of the Week” honors after the McNeese victory.
Chatman is the third leading tackler on the Bearkat defensive. The linebacker from Sealy has totaled 67 stops including 22 solo tackles and has seven tackles for losses this fall.
Adebo, a sophomore from Mansfield, has made 45 tackles this year including 11 tackles for losses and three quarterback sacks.
Blount, an offensive guard as a sophomore from Huntsville, has started every game for the Kats this year.
Everitt is the fourth -eading tackler on the Kat defense. The junior from Covington, Washington, has been credited with 67 tackles. He has intercepted two passes and has a 42-yard fumble return on his resume.
Hunter, a transfer from California who played his high school ball at Cy Falls in Houston, has totaled 34 tackles including seven stops for losses and two sacks this year.
Johnson stands fifth in the Southland in both total offense (249.8 yards) and passing (2,244 yards) as the Bearkats' starting quarterback. The South Grand Prairie product is a true dual threat who earned Southland “Offensive Player of the Week” honors after the McNeese victory.
Louis was on the Jerry Rice award “watch list” and stands as the Kats' leading receiver this year with 52 catches for 623 yards. He is one of only three freshman in the FCS national top 80 with 4.3 receptions per game.
2014 All-Southland Conference Football Team
FIRST TEAM
|
Offense |
Name |
University |
Ht. |
Wt. |
Cl. |
|
QB |
Bryan Bennett |
Southeastern La. |
6-3 |
215 |
Sr. |
|
RB |
Gus Johnson |
Stephen F. Austin |
5-10 |
224 |
Sr. |
|
RB |
Sam Houston State |
5-10 |
200 |
Sr. |
|
|
TE/HB |
Noah Cheshier |
Abilene Christian |
6-3 |
240 |
Sr. |
|
WR |
Dezmin Lewis |
Central Arkansas |
6-4 |
212 |
Sr. |
|
WR |
Mark Roberts |
Lamar |
6-3 |
190 |
Sr. |
|
WR |
Ed Eagan |
Northwestern State |
5-10 |
181 |
Jr. |
|
OL |
Cole Caruthers |
Central Arkansas |
6-4 |
292 |
Sr. |
|
OL |
Antoine Everett |
McNeese State |
6-3 |
325 |
Sr. |
|
OL |
Donald Jackson III |
Sam Houston State |
6-2 |
277 |
Jr. |
|
OL |
Jonathan Braddock |
Southeastern La. |
6-4 |
285 |
Sr. |
|
OL |
Byron Williams |
Stephen F. Austin |
6-4 |
302 |
Jr. |
|
AP |
Ed Eagan |
Northwestern State |
5-10 |
181 |
Jr. |
|
PK |
Ryan Adams |
Southeastern La. |
6-2 |
205 |
Sr. |
|
Defense |
Name |
University |
Ht. |
Wt. |
Cl. |
|
DL |
Sam Houston State |
6-1 |
270 |
Fr. |
|
|
DL |
Jonathan Woodard |
Central Arkansas |
6-6 |
271 |
Jr. |
|
DL |
Kevin Dorn |
McNeese State |
5-10 |
263 |
Sr. |
|
DL |
Nick Richardson |
Abilene Christian |
6-1 |
240 |
Sr. |
|
LB |
Isiah Corbett2 |
Southeastern La. |
6-3 |
250 |
Sr. |
|
LB |
Collin Garrett |
Stephen F. Austin |
6-2 |
214 |
Sr. |
|
LB |
Marion Chapman |
Northwestern State |
5-10 |
205 |
Sr. |
|
DB |
Imoan Claiborne |
Northwestern State |
5-11 |
187 |
Sr. |
|
DB |
Aaron Sam |
McNeese State |
5-9 |
182 |
Sr. |
|
DB |
Sam Houston State |
5-11 |
180 |
Jr. |
|
|
DB |
Sam Houston State |
5-11 |
195 |
Sr. |
|
|
DB |
Harlan Miller |
Southeastern La. |
6-1 |
180 |
Jr. |
|
P |
Sam Houston State |
6-5 |
214 |
Jr. |
|
|
KR |
Jatavious Wilson |
Central Arkansas |
5-9 |
171 |
So. |
|
PR |
Ed Eagan |
Northwestern State |
5-10 |
181 |
Jr. |
|
SECOND TEAM |
|||||
|
Offense |
Name |
University |
Ht. |
Wt. |
Cl. |
|
QB |
Caleb Berry |
Lamar |
6-2 |
205 |
Sr. |
|
RB |
De'Andre Brown |
Abilene Christian |
5-9 |
190 |
Fr. |
|
RB |
Michael Henry |
Nicholls |
6-2 |
225 |
Jr. |
|
TE |
Kenneth Bibbins |
Houston Baptist |
6-5 |
242 |
Sr. |
|
WR |
Devante Scott |
Southeastern La. |
5-11 |
195 |
Sr. |
|
WR |
Reggie Begelton |
Lamar |
6-2 |
200 |
Jr. |
|
WR |
Cedric Gilbert |
Abilene Christian |
6-2 |
215 |
Jr. |
|
OL |
Pace Murphy |
Northwestern State |
6-6 |
279 |
Jr. |
|
OL |
Quentin Marsh |
McNeese State |
6-3 |
310 |
Jr. |
|
OL |
CJ Simon |
Central Arkansas |
6-3 |
296 |
Sr. |
|
OL |
Codey Funk |
Abilene Christian |
6-5 |
320 |
So. |
|
OL |
Sam Houston State |
6-3 |
277 |
So. |
|
|
AP |
Xavier Roberson |
Southeastern La. |
5-9 |
180 |
Jr. |
|
PK |
Sam Houston State |
6-0 |
197 |
So. |
|
|
Defense |
Name |
University |
Ht. |
Wt. |
Cl. |
|
DL |
Jacob Newman |
Southeastern La. |
6-2 |
275 |
Sr. |
|
DL |
Leroy Armstrong |
Northwestern State |
6-1 |
242 |
Jr. |
|
DL |
Corey Lee |
UIW |
6-0 |
285 |
So. |
|
DL |
Omar Tebo |
Lamar |
6-0 |
315 |
So. |
|
LB |
Wallace Scott |
McNeese State |
6-1 |
211 |
Jr. |
|
LB |
Bo Brown |
McNeese State |
6-1 |
232 |
Jr. |
|
LB |
Sam Houston State |
6-2 |
216 |
So. |
|
|
DB |
Denzel Thompson |
Southeastern La. |
6-3 |
200 |
Jr. |
|
DB |
Tyler Stoddard |
Southeastern La. |
6-2 |
210 |
Sr. |
|
DB |
Brent Spikes |
McNeese State |
6-1 |
196 |
Jr. |
|
DB |
Adam Jones |
Northwestern State |
6-2 |
196 |
So. |
|
DB |
Xavier Bethany |
Lamar |
6-1 |
195 |
So. |
|
P |
Christian Guzman |
Houston Baptist |
5-9 |
160 |
Fr. |
|
KR |
Xavier Roberson |
Southeastern La. |
5-9 |
180 |
Jr. |
|
PR |
Jonathan Epps |
Abilene Christian |
5-10 |
165 |
Jr. |
Honorable Mention:
Quarterback: Zach Conque, Stephen F. Austin; Zach Adkins, Northwestern State; Parker McKenzie, Abilene Christian; Jared Johnson, Sam Houston State; Ryan Howard, Central Arkansas. Running Back: Garrett Atzenweiler, Northwestern State; B.J. Kelly, Houston Baptist. Tight End/H-Back: Cole Wick, UIW. Wide Receiver: Tyler Boyd, Stephen F. Austin; Yedidiah Louis, Sam Houston State; Demarcus Thompson, Abilene Christian; Cody Jones, Northwestern State; Casey Jennings, UIW; Jereon McGilvery, McNeese State; Desmond Smith, Central Arkansas; Jeff Smiley, Southeastern La. Offensive Linemen: Bret Treadway, Lamar; Terran Vaughn, Stephen F. Austin; Joe Graves, Southeastern La.; Chris Bordelon, Nicholls; Tramon Shead, Lamar; Rafe Plaisance, Nicholls; Bridge Blount, Sam Houston State; Austin Douglas, Northwestern State; Kyle Stouffer, Central Arkansas; Chance McCormack, Lamar; Anthony Pullins, Stephen F. Austin. Offensive All-Purpose: Keenan Canty, Nicholls. Defensive Linemen: Ishmiah Miles, Stephen F. Austin; Everett Ellefsen, McNeese State; Joe Okafor, Lamar; Damon Williams, Abilene Christian; Damon Medcafe, Northwestern State; Lance Skyler, Stephen F. Austin; Mouf Abedo, Sam Houston State; Brian Hine, McNeese State; Keith Curran, Lamar; A.J. Bowen, Southeastern La.; Jacobi Hunter, Sam Houston State; Donald Bryant, Stephen F. Austin. Linebackers: Davin Bovie, Nicholls; Ricky Wyatt, Central Arkansas; Drew Misita, Southeastern La.; Blake Childress, Central Arkansas; Garrett Dolan, Houston Baptist; Ronnie Jones, Lamar; Padyn Giebler, UIW; Justin Stephens, Abilene Christian; Tyler Roussel, Northwestern State. Defensive Back: Jordan Batiste, Southeastern La.; Gabe Hamner, McNeese State; Bobby Watkins, Central Arkansas; Patrick Martin; Stephen F. Austin; Keavon Madison, Stephen F. Austin; Mikel Everette, Sam Houston State; Kobie Douglas, UIW; Justin Stewart, Abilene Christian; Micah Eugene, Southeastern Louisiana; Eric Amoako, Houston Baptist, Dominique Hill, McNeese State; Byron Cobb, Nicholls; B.T. Sanders, Nicholls. Placekicker: Nik Grau, Abilene Christian. Punter: Spencer Matthew, Central Arkansas. Kick Return Specialist: Ed Eagan, Northwestern State. Punt Return Specialist: Aaron Thomas, Stephen F. Austin
2014 Southland Conference Individual Superlative Winners
Player of the Year: Gus Johnson, Stephen F. Austin (RB)
Offensive Player of the Year: Bryan Bennett, Southeastern Louisiana (QB)
Defensive Player of the Year: Jonathan Woodard, Central Arkansas (DE)
Offensive Lineman of the Year: Cole Carruthers, Central Arkansas (LT)
Freshman of the Year: P.J. Hall, Sam Houston State (DE)
Newcomer of the Year: Zach Conque, Stephen F. Austin (QB)
Coach of the Year: Clint Conque, Stephen F. Austin
