PDA

View Full Version : All-Southland Teams and Awards Announced



smallcollegefbfan
November 25th, 2008, 11:01 AM
http://www.southland.org/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=18400&ATCLID=3623172

Central Arkansas Lands 13 on All-Southland Conference Football Teams
Quarterback Nathan Brown named player of the year as seven Bears earn first-team all-league honors

FRISCO, Texas – After quarterbacking Central Arkansas to a 10-2 overall record, Nathan Brown was named the Southland Conference Player of the Year Tuesday in conjunction with the announcement of the all-conference teams, which were selected by a vote of the league’s head coaches and sports information directors. UCA defensive end Larry Hart was named the defensive player of the year and Bears’ mentor Clint Conque was named coach of the year.

McNeese State tailback Toddrick Pendland was the Southland’s offensive player of the year, while Southeastern Louisiana receiver Simmie Yarborough was named the freshman of the year. Stephen F. Austin receiver Duane Brooks was voted the newcomer of the year.

Brown, last year’s offensive player of the year, capped his career by surpassing the 10,000-yard passing mark. The senior from Russellville, Ark., finished with an even 100 career touchdowns. A candidate for the Walter Payton Award, Brown completed 254-of-375 passes for 3,206 yards and 31 scores, while maintaining the best pass efficiency (164.7) rating by a conference quarterback.

Nearly half of Hart’s 43 tackles went for losses. The junior from Madison, Miss., led the conference with 21 tackles for losses of 96 yards and his league-best 15 sacks totaled 75 yards. He broke up five passes, forced one fumble and blocked a kick. He recorded 9.5 tackles for loss in Southland play, in addition to eight sacks.

Pendland, who averaged 130.1 yards rushing in 11 games this season, saw that number swell to 153.7 yards per game in conference play. The junior from Newton, Texas, totaled 1,431 yards on 219 carries and scored 12 touchdowns. He was second in the league with 174.1 all-purpose yards per game, but led the Southland with 201.9 all-purpose yards in seven conference games.

Yarborough, a true freshman tight end from Brookhaven, Miss., caught 51 passes for 490 yards and six touchdowns. He averaged 9.6 yards per reception and 44.5 yards per game. Brooks, a freshman transfer from Central Michigan, led the Lumberjacks with 86.3 receiving yards per game. A native of Irving, Texas, Brooks caught a team-high 68 passes for 863 yards and four scores.

Conque led Central Arkansas to the best record in the Southland this season at 6-1 though it was ineligible for the conference championship and league’s automatic qualifier for the NCAA Division I Football Championships during its transition from Division II. During the last two seasons, Conque has guided the Bears to an 11-3 conference record, matching McNeese State for the best mark during that stretch. The Bears’ win over McNeese State last Saturday gave Conque 10 wins for just the second time in his nine-year career. Conque, who has guided the Bears to a No. 11 national ranking, owns a 68-36 career record and is a finalist for the 2008 Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award.

The Bears placed 13 student-athletes on the two all-conference teams, the most by a Southland program. That included seven first-team selections. Joining Brown on the first-team offense are tight end Marquez Branson and offensive linemen Lane Freiwald and Jeremy Ford. Hart was joined on the first-team defense by defensive backs Pieri Feazell and Anthony Gambles. Six Bears earned second-team all-conference mention including running back Brent Grimes, fullback Nick Cowger, offensive lineman Brad Gordon, defensive lineman Taylor Scott, linebacker James Lancaster and punter Jonathan Beard.

Texas State and McNeese State each had nine members on the all-conference squads. The Bobcats won the Southland Conference championship and is the league’s automatic qualifier for the NCAA Division I Football Championships. Four Texas State players earned first-team honors, including running back Karrington Bush, fullback Blake Burton, wide receiver Cameron Luke and offensive lineman Jeff Bowen. Joining Pendland on the first team for McNeese are offensive linemen Eman Naghavi and Kyle Link, defensive lineman Vaalyn Jackson and linebacker Allen Nelson.

Sam Houston was next with six all-conference selections. Defensive lineman Chris Brown was the Bearkats’ lone first-team selection. Northwestern State and Nicholls State each placed five on the teams. The Demons were represented on the first team by placekicker Robert weeks and defensive back Wesley Eckles. Lardarius Webb, of Nicholls State, earned first-team honors both as a defensive back and as a return specialist and was joined on the first-team by Colonel punter Patrick Dolan.

Stephen F. Austin landed three selections on the all-conference teams. Wide receiver Dominque Edison, defensive lineman Tim Knicky and linebacker Jabara Williams each earned first-team kudos. Southeastern Louisiana placed two on the all-conference teams, including defensive back Tommy Connors on the first team.

Twelve members of the all-conference team have earned first-team honors previously, including McNeese State’s Whitehead, who has now earned all-conference honors three consecutive seasons. Burton previously earned all-conference honors in 2006.

2008 All-Southland Conference Football Teams

First Team Offense
Pos. Name University Ht. Wt. Cl. Hometown
QB Nathan Brown Central Arkansas 6-2 214 Sr. Russellville, Ark.
RB Toddrick Pendland McNeese State 5-10 175 Jr. Newton, Texas
RB Karrington Bush Texas State 5-10 182 So. Whitewright, Texas
FB Blake Burton Texas State 6-0 237 Sr. Hungerford, Texas
WR Cameron Luke Texas State 6-2 211 Sr. Houston, Texas
WR Dominque Edison Stephen F. Austin 6-3 200 Sr. San Augustine, Texas
TE Marquez Branson Central Arkansas 6-3 248 Sr. Starkville, Miss.
OL Eman Naghavi McNeese State 6-2 300 Sr. Katy, Texas
OL Kyle Link McNeese State 6-6 290 Sr. Lake Charles, La.
OL Lane Freiwald Central Arkansas 6-7 318 Jr. Little Rock, Ark.
OL Jeff Bowen Texas State 6-1 275 Sr. North Richland Hills, Texas
OL Jeremy Ford Central Arkansas 6-1 284 Sr. Bastrop, La.
PK Robert Weeks Northwestern State 6-0 195 Sr. Pineville, La.

First Team Defense
Pos. Name University Ht. Wt. Cl. Hometown
DL Larry Hart Central Arkansas 6-1 255 Jr. Madison, Miss.
DL Tim Knicky Stephen F. Austin 6-4 235 Jr. Cedar Park, Texas
DL Vaalyn Jackson McNeese State 6-0 285 Sr. Sulphur, La.
DL Chris Brown Sam Houston State 6-2 220 Jr. Texarkana, Texas
LB Allen Nelson McNeese State 6-2 210 Sr. Beaumont, Texas
LB Jabara Williams Stephen F. Austin 6-3 205 So. Garrison, Texas
DB Lardarius Webb Nicholls State 5-10 205 Sr. Opelika, Ala.
DB Tommy Connors Southeastern La. 6-0 195 Jr. Marrero, La.
DB Pieri Feazell Central Arkansas 5-11 206 Jr. Mount Olive, Miss.
DB Wesley Eckles Northwestern State 6-0 185 Jr. Mansfield, La.
DB Anthony Gambles Central Arkansas 5-9 174 Jr. Byhalia, Miss.
P Patrick Dolan Nicholls State 6-1 180 So. Mobile, Ala.
RS Lardarius Webb Nicholls State 5-10 205 Sr. Opelika, Ala.

smallcollegefbfan
November 25th, 2008, 11:06 AM
Second Team Offense
Pos. Name University Ht. Wt. Cl. Hometown
QB Rhett Bomar Sam Houston State 6-2 215 Sr. Grand Prairie, Texas
RB Byron Lawrence Northwestern State 5-8 197 Sr. North Little Rock, Ark.
RB Brent Grimes Central Arkansas 5-9 194 Jr. Baton Rouge, La.
FB Nick Cowger Central Arkansas 6-1 236 Jr. Vilonia, Ark.
WR Steven Whitehead McNeese State 5-8 173 Sr. Slidell, La.
WR Catron Houston Sam Houston State 5-11 184 Sr. Houston, Texas
TE Wes Mangan McNeese State 6-4 245 Jr. Brenham, Texas
OL Brad Gordon Central Arkansas 6-1 294 Sr. Little Rock, Ark.
OL Nigel Cormier Nicholls State 6-1 250 Sr. Lafayette, La.
OL Lance Fremin McNeese State 6-1 300 Sr. Starkville, Miss.
OL D.J. Hall Texas State 6-2 280 Fr. Palestine, Texas
OL Hunter Schmidt Sam Houston State 6-3 304 Jr. Alvin, Texas
PK Andrew Ireland Texas State 5-8 188 Sr. Cedar Hill, Texas

Second Team Defense
Pos. Name University Ht. Wt. Cl. Hometown
DL Taylor Scott Central Arkansas 6-4 264 Jr. Little Rock, Ark.
DL Donavan King Texas State 6-2 262 Sr. Altair, Texas
DL Zac Reddix Nicholls State 6-2 215 Jr. Prairieville, La.
DL Ledell Love Northwestern State 6-0 240 So. Dallas, Texas
LB James Lancaster Central Arkansas 6-0 224 Jr. Cordova, Tenn.
LB Mack Dampier Northwestern State 6-0 235 Sr. West Monroe, La.
DB Jeremy Haynes McNeese State 5-10 185 Sr. Waller, Texas
DB Wonseleh Brewer Sam Houston State 5-8 165 Sr. Dallas, Texas
DB Morris Crosby Texas State 5-9 184 Sr. Houston, Texas
DB Marquis Powell Southeastern La. 5-9 207 Sr. Madison, Fla.
DB Billy Skinner Sam Houston State 5-11 212 Sr. Arlington, Texas
P Jonathan Beard Central Arkansas 5-10 165 Jr. Weir, Miss.
RS Karrington Bush Texas State 5-10 182 So. Whitewright, Texas

Player of the Year: Nathan Brown, Central Arkansas
Offensive Player of the Year: Toddrick Pendland, McNeese State
Defensive Player of the Year: Larry Hart, Central Arkansas
Freshman of the Year: Simmie Yarborough, Southeastern La.
Newcomer of the Year: Duane Brooks, Stephen F. Austin
Coach of the Year: Clint Conque, Central Arkansas

JoshUCA
November 25th, 2008, 03:17 PM
UCA is well represented! xthumbsupx

TexasTerror
November 25th, 2008, 05:51 PM
Only thing I can find reason to argue is Pendland over Luke for Off POTY. Everything else is reasonable...outside of perhaps the snub of James Aston from the RB listing, though I can see to some degree why.

bobcatfan06
November 25th, 2008, 06:55 PM
I don't see how Cam Luke doesn't win Off POTY?

68 receptions, 1,193 yards and 16 TD. C'mon.

bobcathusband
November 25th, 2008, 07:07 PM
As long as Tx St. has flirtations with FBS we will get no love from the SLC.

patssle
November 25th, 2008, 07:40 PM
As long as Tx St. has flirtations with FBS we will get no love from the SLC.

So then why did Aston get left off everything? ;)

bobcatfan06
November 25th, 2008, 08:24 PM
So then why did Aston get left off everything? ;)

Flirtations.....

McNeese75
November 25th, 2008, 09:58 PM
I don't see how Cam Luke doesn't win Off POTY?

68 receptions, 1,193 yards and 16 TD. C'mon.


xrolleyesx They got the O POTY right xcoffeex

gbhmt
November 25th, 2008, 11:26 PM
I don't see how Cam Luke doesn't win Off POTY?

68 receptions, 1,193 yards and 16 TD. C'mon.

That's like me saying why didn't Marc Mariani get Big Sky O POTY.

It's ridiculous to put him up with the top passer in the nation.

And it's ridiculous to put Luke up with the second top passer in the nation.

Lionsrking
November 25th, 2008, 11:34 PM
I don't see how Cam Luke doesn't win Off POTY?

68 receptions, 1,193 yards and 16 TD. C'mon.

Pendland was certainly deserving but I thought Cameron Luke was the best player we faced in the SLC this year.

Extremely disappointed that our MLB, Mark Newbill, didn't get at least honorable mention notice...finished second in the league in tackles per game, 3rd in total solo tackles, top 10 in tackles for loss...very productive player and IMO, one of the top five or six LBs in the league.

Lionsrking
November 25th, 2008, 11:37 PM
That's like me saying why didn't Marc Mariani get Big Sky O POTY.

It's ridiculous to put him up with the top passer in the nation.

And it's ridiculous to put Luke up with the second top passer in the nation.

If you've seen him play, you wouldn't think it was ridiculous...he's the primary reason Texas State finished where they did in my opinion...his target zone for completion is HUGE...just chunk it up and let him go get it...extremely physical, outstanding route runner, and excellent hands.

darussian12
November 25th, 2008, 11:44 PM
If you've seen him play, you wouldn't think it was ridiculous...he's the primary reason Texas State finished where they did in my opinion...his target zone for completion is HUGE...just chunk it up and let him go get it...extremely physical, outstanding route runner, and excellent hands.

he is one of a kind at our level...w/o neely we wouldnt have been ****..w/o luke we would have been lucky to win half what we did this year...i hope i get to see what he can do against the gris in a few days

TxState_GO_CATS!
November 27th, 2008, 02:50 AM
Are you serious?! Wow...don't mean to be a hater (or a homer) but damn, that list is JANK.

Cam Luke is EASILY the SLC Offensive POY. That's crazy. I gotta say they got that wrong.

Aston not even mentioned in the RB discussion? Can't imagine him not being in the Top 5 (at LEAST)--look at the stats. #2 in rushing yards, #3 in all purpose, scoring, and rushing TDs. Dumb.

Other than that, I can't say that it would have totally broken my heart if no one in conference got any All Southland Team recognition. I don't think anyone in our conference can say they were real happy with their defense this year.xrulesx :)

smallcollegefbfan
November 27th, 2008, 08:43 AM
Are you serious?! Wow...don't mean to be a hater (or a homer) but damn, that list is JANK.

Cam Luke is EASILY the SLC Offensive POY. That's crazy. I gotta say they got that wrong.

Aston not even mentioned in the RB discussion? Can't imagine him not being in the Top 5 (at LEAST)--look at the stats. #2 in rushing yards, #3 in all purpose, scoring, and rushing TDs. Dumb.

Other than that, I can't say that it would have totally broken my heart if no one in conference got any All Southland Team recognition. I don't think anyone in our conference can say they were real happy with their defense this year.xrulesx :)

I'm not attacking you because several others have done it but could you and everyone else keep the curse words off the board? This is a public board and kids can read this. Plus, there are christians and others who are offended by seeing it in public like this.

On your post I think Luke has a very good argument and I'm sure the vote was very close. I would have say Brown MVP and Luke OFF POY.

SandMountainDemon
November 27th, 2008, 09:49 AM
I'm still trying to figure out why Gary Riggs, a preseason all conference choice, was snubbed. He certainly had the stats, considering that most everyone ran and passed away from him, and he carried 2 of his 3 picks back for six. 58 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 sack, 7 BrUp, 1 FF, and blocked a kick.

My choice is biased, but his numbers are better than some of those selected ahead of him.

gbhmt
November 27th, 2008, 10:12 AM
If you've seen him play, you wouldn't think it was ridiculous...he's the primary reason Texas State finished where they did in my opinion...his target zone for completion is HUGE...just chunk it up and let him go get it...extremely physical, outstanding route runner, and excellent hands.

Sounds exactly like Marc Mariani.

Hell of a player and would win it any other year. However there's a 3000+ yards QB and you can't disregard that.