FINDLAY, Ohio – Cris Reisert, who rewrote the Mid-States Football Association and Mideast League passing records during the 2007 season as the Ohio Dominican quarterback, has been named the MEL Player of the Year in a vote by the league’s coaches.

 

     Meanwhile, Jim DuPage, who guided St. Ambrose, Iowa to the Midwest League championship, has been selected as the MWL Player of the Year. ODU’s Dale Carlson is the Mideast Coach of the Year and Gary Newsome of Olivet Nazarene and Mike Magistelli of St. Ambrose share the same honor in the Midwest.

 

    

 Reisert, who is one of 8 Ohio Dominican first-team players, completed 361 of 508 passes for 4,522 yards, 45 touchdowns and just 8 interceptions. The 6-foot-2, 205-pound junior from Cincinnati, also netted 58 rushing yards with 3 TDs.

 

     Along with Reisert, Malone running back Bernard Payton, Ohio Dominican wide receiver Jared Stace, offensive linemen Mike Galassi of Walsh, offensive lineman Josh Ekovich of Saint Francis, Ind. and offensive lineman Matt Pierce earned first-team honors for the second year in a row on offense. Defensively, linemen Tim Farrell of Saint Francis, Ind. and Craig McConnell of Walsh are two-time all-league first-teamers. Linebacker Sean Kenney and placekicker Shane Longest of Saint Xavier were first-team choices in the Midwest League a year ago before the Cougars moved to the Mideast in 2007 to help balance the MSFA.

    

     DuPage not only led St. Ambrose to a 7-0 Midwest League mark, but also got the Fighting Bees into the NAIA playoffs under first-year coach Magistrelli. Nine other St. Ambrose performers earned first-team honors

 

     Two-time all-MWL selections include wide receiver Deon Dukes from Trinity International, tight end Tyler Driscoll of St. Ambrose, offensive linemen Dru Filkins of St. Ambrose and Mike Siverly of McKendree, linebacker Jacob Zsuppon of Quincy and defensive back Chance Jenkins from St. Ambrose.

 

     No.3-ranked Ohio Dominican (11-0) will also lead four MSFA teams into the NAIA playoffs. Both Saint Francis, Ind. (9-1) and Saint Xavier (9-2), which meets St. Ambrose, also made the post-season from the Mideast League. Malone accepted an invitation to play Geneva, Pa. in the National Christian College Athletic Association Victory Bowl.

 

Mideast League

First Team Offense

     Quarterback -- **Cris Reisert (Cincinnati, Ohio), Ohio Dominican, 6-2, 205, Jr. Runningback -- **Bernard Payton (Pomona, Calif.), Malone, 6-1, 205, Sr.; Clinton Blossomgame (Columbus, Ohio), Walsh, 5-11, 218, Fr.; Daniel Carter (Indianapolis, Ind.), Saint Francis, Ind., 5-6, 157, Soph. Wide Receiver -- **Jared Stace (Columbus, Ohio), Ohio Dominican, 5-9, 190, Sr.; Bo Thompson (Indianapolis, Ind.), Saint Francis, Ind., 6-3, 204, Sr.; Justin Sayre (Newark, Ohio), Ohio Dominican, 5-11, 195, Sr. Tight End -- LaRoi Johnson (Pittsburgh, Pa.), Malone, 6-4, 260, Sr. Linemen -- Brian Smiley (Fort Wayne, Ind.), Saint Francis, Ind., 6-1, 295, Sr.; **Mike Galassi (Strongsville, Ohio), Walsh, 6-5, 302, Sr.; **Josh Ekovich (LaPorte, Ind.), Saint Francis, Ind., 6-0, 283, Sr.; **Matt Pierce (Huber Heights, Ohio), Ohio Dominican, 6-4, 287, Sr.; Matt Renfro (Rockford, Ill.), Saint Xavier, 6-4, 270, Soph. Return Specialists – Justin Sayre (Newark, Ohio), Ohio Dominican, 6-0, 193, Sr.; Daniel Carter (Indianapolis, Ind.), Saint Francis, Ind., 5-6, 157, Soph. PLACEKICKER – Shane Longest (Wilmington, Ill.), Saint Xavier, 5-11, 180, Sr.

First Team Defense

    Linemen -- Shawn Lewis (Aberdeen, Md.), Urbana, 6-4, 245, Jr.; Travis Brisco (Columbus, Ohio), Urbana, 6-2, 230, R-Fr.; **Tim Farrell (Fort Wayne, Ind.), Saint Francis, Ind., 6-1, 236, Jr.; Nick Yanko (Akron, Ohio), Ohio Dominican, 6-3, 299, Jr. Linebackers -- Sean Kenney (Palos Hills, Ill.), Saint Xavier, 5-10, 225, Sr.; Nathan Hillerich (Groveport, Ohio), Ohio Dominican, 6-1, 222, Sr.; Carl Thomas (Fort Wayne, Ind.), Saint Francis, Ind., 6-1, 219, Jr.; Dan Hromada (North Royalton, Ohio), Malone, 6-0, 230, Sr. Defensive Backs -- Paul Carter (Indianapolis, Ind.), Saint Francis, Ind., 6-0, 198, Jr.; Joe Slabaugh (Akron, Ohio), Ohio Dominican, 6-1, 207, Jr.; **Craig McConnell (Massillon, Ohio), Walsh, 5-10, 185, Sr.; Donavon Evans (Indianapolis, Ind.), Saint Francis, Ind., 5-11, 179, Soph. PUNTER – Mitch Croy (Ottawa, Ohio), Ohio Dominican, 6-1, 185, Soph.

 

 

Second Team Offense

     QB -- Billy Yeo (Matteson, Ill.), Saint Xavier, 6-2, 215, Jr. RB -- Kirk Hannah (Miami, Fla.), Urbana, 6-0, 215, Jr.; William Stubbs (Indianapolis, Ind.), Marian, 5-11, 210, Fr.; Nathan Clark (Newark), Ohio Dominican, 5-9, 192, Jr. WR -- Bill McKeon (Joliet, Ill.), Saint Xavier, 5-11, 210, Soph.; Jim Doherty (Evergreen Park, Ill.), Saint Xavier, 5-10, 195, Sr.; Zach Rainey (Indianapolis, Ind.), Saint Francis, Ind., 6-0, 198, Sr. TE -- Andy Lietz (Blue Island, Ill.), Saint Xavier, 6-5, 230, Jr. Linemen -- Thomas Rogan (Urbana, Ohio), Urbana, 6-3, 305, Jr.; Sean Duesing (Cincinnati, Ohio), Ohio Dominican, 6-0, 255, Jr.; Kevin Zientek (Oak Lawn, Ill.), Saint Xavier, 6-3, 250, Jr.; Bill Jones II (Canton, Ohio), Malone, 5-11, 290, Jr.; Bryon Arena (Canton, Ohio), Malone, 6-2, 295, Jr.; Donald Lees (Wooster, Ohio), Malone, 6-2, 285, Soph.; Eric Schreiber (Oak Lawn, Ill.), Saint Xavier, 6-3, 280, Sr.

Second Team Defense

     Linemen -- William Knepper (Warsaw, Ind.), Saint Francis, Ind., 6-4, 351, Sr.; Vincent Price (Indianapolis, Ind.), Saint Francis, Ind., 6-1, 226, Sr.; Kyle Lockett (Pleasantville, N.J.), Urbana, 6-4, 305, Sr.; Jeff Jeffries (Dayton, Ohio), Malone, 6-2, 262, Sr. LB -- Joe Miller (Chicago, Ill.), Saint Xavier, 6-0, 230, Jr.; Cody Capps (Indianapolis, Ind.), Saint Francis, Ind., 6-1, 213, Jr.; Josh Fraley (Bellville, Ohio), Ohio Dominican, 6-0, 221, Jr.; Dan Dale (Canton, Ohio), Walsh, 6-3, 232, Sr. DB -- Chris Rodgers (Homewood, Ill.), Saint Xavier, 5-10, 200, Jr.; Nana Ansha (Silver Spring, Md.), Ohio Dominican, 6-0, 190, Jr.; Rasul Basit (Cleveland, Ohio), Urbana, 5-10, 210, Sr.; Dan Beachy (Hartville, Ohio), Malone, 6-0, 195, Sr.

Honorable Mention

  MALONE -- Billy Bob Orsagh (Eastland, Texas), QB; Derek Deardorff (Kenton, Ohio), WR; Mike Clapham (North Ridgeville, Ohio), WR; Nathan Broaddus (Anaheim, Calif.), OL; Ronell Lee (Cleveland, Ohio), DL; Tino Roland (Monroe, Ga.), DL; Justin Murphy (Minerva, Ohio), LB; Jamal Gambrell (Maple Heights, Ohio), LB; Kevin Kapostasy (Fairport Harbor, Ohio), LB; Dennis Thornton (Shaker Heights, Ohio), DB; Chris Cruise (Mogadore, Ohio), DB; Doug Alford (Cleveland, Ohio), DB. MARIAN -- JaQuan Patilla (Fairfield, Ohio), WR; Randy Knipfel (Crystal Lake, Ill.), OL; Dustin Craig (Indianapolis, Ind.), LB; Sam Flynn (Covington, Ky.), LB. OHIO DOMINICAN -- Josh Smart (Englewood, Ohio), WR; Joe Farfsing (Cincinnati, Ohio), TE; Fred Reeves (Cleveland, Ohio), DL; Tyler Klingensmith (Powell, Ohio), LB; Justin Fraley (Bellville, Ohio), LB; Mick Wright (Rockville, Md.), DB. SAINT FRANCIS, IND. -- Jeff Wedding (Kendallville, Ind.), QB. SAINT XAVIER -- Mike Maher (Plainfield, Ill.), WR; Brett Farmer (Wilmington, Ill.), DL;. Justin Tuffs (Mokena, Ill.), DL.; Scott Kooistra (Chicago, Ill.), DL. TAYLOR -- Cameron Heasley (Columbus, Ohio), DL; Ty Needler (Sweetser, Ind.), LB; Paul Passiales (Wheaton, Ind.), LB. URBANA -- Luther Henderson (Columbus, Ohio), RB; Chad Kinkead (Warren, Ohio), LB; Kevin Weber (Orchard Park, N.Y.), LB. WALSH -- Mike McGill (Barberton, Ohio), WR; David Hardwick (Kent, Ohio), DL.

 

PLAYER OF THE YEAR – Cris Reisert, Ohio Dominican

Coach of the Year -- Dale Carlson, Ohio Dominican

Assistant Coach of the Year -- Werner Emmrich, Saint Xavier Defensive Coordinator

** -- Two-time all-conference selections

 

 

Midwest League

First Team Offense

    QB -- Jim DuPage (Pekin, Ill.), St. Ambrose, 6-1, 210, Sr. RB -- George Smith (Jacksonville, Fla.), McKendree, 5-10, 185, Jr.; Marshall Fraley (Tulsa, Okla.), Olivet Nazarene, 5-10, 195, Fr.; Jacob Rohman (Metamora, Ill.), McKendree, 5-10, 200, Jr. WR -- **Deon Dukes (Long Beach, Calif.), Trinity Inter., 6-0, 173, Sr.; Michael Hayward (Bettendorf, Iowa), St. Ambrose, 6-3, 200, Fr.; Chris Jenkins (Indianapolis, Ind.), Quincy, 6-0, 180, Soph. TE -- **Tyler Driscoll (DeWitt, Iowa), St. Ambrose, 6-1, 215, Sr. Linemen -- **Dru Filkins (Downers Grove, Ill.), St. Ambrose, 6-4, 270, Sr.; Jeremy Saunders (Warren, Ill.), Quincy, 6-5, 314, Sr.; **Mike Siverly (Casey, Ill.), McKendree, 6-4, 315, Sr.; Russ Monk (Monticello, Iowa), St. Ambrose, 6-1, 290, Sr.; Troy Cogdill (East Moline, Ill.), McKendree, 6-4, 290, Soph. RETURN SPECIALISTS – Chris Jenkins (Indianapolis, Ind.), Quincy, 6-0, 160, Soph. PLACEKICKER – Matt Soulia (Flushing, Mich.), Olivet Nazarene, 6-2, 205, Sr.

First Team Defense

    Linemen -- Vince Fillipp (Cary, Ill.), St. Ambrose, 5-10, 275, Jr.; Antonio Prendergast (Orlando, Fla.), McKendree, 6-1, 240, Sr.; Lucas Burr (Circleville, Ohio), Olivet Nazarene, 6-2, 300, Soph.; Nathan House (Columbia, Ill.), McKendree, 6-0, 250, Sr.; Linebackers -- **Jacob Zsuppon (Flossmoor, Ill.), Quincy, 5-11, 225, Jr.; Dan Eble (Oak Lawn, Ill.), St. Ambrose, 5-9, 185, Sr.; Jeremy Robinson (Crown Point, Ind.), Olivet Nazarene, 6-0, 240, Sr.; Kevin Linn  (Bettendorf, Iowa), St. Ambrose, 6-2, 215, Sr. Defensive Backs -- Lawrence Davis (Rock Island, Ill.), McKendree, 6-0, 200, Sr.; **Chance Jenkins (Maquoketa, Iowa), St. Ambrose, 6-0, 210, Sr.; Corey Overton (Davenport, Iowa), St. Ambrose, 5-9, 179, Sr.; Cale Carlson (Ogden, Iowa), William Penn, 5-11, 192, Sr. Co-PUNTERS – Mark Gronzalski (Maple Heights, Ohio), William Penn, 6-0, 222, Sr.; Zach Alexander (Eagle, Idaho), Olivet Nazarene, 6-2, 185, Fr.

Second Team Offense

   QB -- Derek Diehl (Olathe, Kan.), Olivet Nazarene, 6-2, 200, Sr. RB -- Mario Whitney (Jackson, Mo.), William Penn, 6-0, 210, Jr.; Derreck Driscoll (Compton, Calif.), Trinity Inter., 5-9, 180, Jr.; Shane McBride (Troy, Ill.), McKendree, 5-7, 185, Jr. WR -- Kyle Korth (Stockton, Ill.), St. Ambrose, 6-2, 205, Soph.; Matt Ostrom (Bourbonnais, Ill.), Olivet Nazarene, 5-11, 190, Sr.; Austin Kizzee (Worthington, Ohio), Olivet Nazarene, 6-5, 205, Jr. TE -- Jimmy Pennell (Peoria, Ill.), McKendree, 6-3, 245, Sr. OL -- Mike Brown (Chicago, Ill.), Olivet Nazarene, 6-2, 290, Sr.; Antoine Murray (Detroit, Mich.), William Penn, 5-11, 310, Sr.; Bryan Edgar (Belleville, Ill.), McKendree, 6-3, 280, Soph.; Mitch Street (Noblesville, Ind.), Olivet Nazarene, 6-3, 280, Sr.; Dan Fahrner (Belleville, Ill.), Quincy, 6-3, 235, Sr.

 

Second Team Defense

     DL -- Greg Climan (Palm Harbor, Fla.), Quincy, 5-10, 250, Sr.; Jared Heesch (Wisconsin Dells, Wis.), Trinity Inter., 6-4, 262, Sr.; Mike Walter (DeWitt, Iowa), St. Ambrose, 6-2, 240, Jr.; Dante Carr (Kankakee, Ill.), Olivet Nazarene, 6-2, 230, Sr. LB -- Clayton Norberg (Sterling, Ill.), St. Francis, Ill., 6-1, 225, Jr.; Clint Peery (Payson, Utah), William Penn, 6-2, 250, Sr.; Jesse Weygand (Crystal Lake, Iowa), St. Ambrose, 5-10, 210, Sr.; Cordero Hightower (Naperville, Ill.), Trinity Inter., 6-0, 234, Jr. DB -- Gannon Novak (New Lenox, Ill.), St. Francis, Ill., 5-9, 182, Jr.; Justin Carmean (Mishawaka, Ind.), Olivet Nazarene, 6-0, 190, Sr.; Justin Thompson (Bettendorf, Iowa), St. Ambrose, 5-10, 166, Sr.; Chris Prospere (Plantation, Fla.), Iowa Wesleyan, 6-1, 185, Sr.

Honorable Mention

IOWA WESLEYAN -- Aaron Rozansi (Aurora, Ill.), QB; Travis Hollingshed (Macon, Ga.), WR;

Derek Kirby (Kingston, Ill.), OL; Clint Hunold (Donnellson, Iowa), OL; Kennedy Obeng (Bronx, N.Y.), DL; James Fisher (Pahala, Hawaii), LB; Kyle DeRossett (Dupo, Ill.), LB; Jason Amy (Lake Elsinore, Calif.), DB; Ashton Smiley (Chicago Ridge, Ill.), Iowa Wesleyan, DB. McKENDREE -- Emanuel McCall (Weirsdale, Fla.), McKendree, LB; Heath Bohannon (Webster Grove, Mo.), McKendree, LB; Steve Moravec (Dupo, Ill.), LB; Chad Hudson (Bloomington, Ill.), DB; Antonio Greer (Cahokia, Ill.), DB; Ryan Klier (Newton, Ill.), DB. OLIVET NAZARENE -- David Scherer (Racine, Wis.), TE; Jon Kirschner (Indianapolis, Ind.), OL; Dan Walker (Fort Collins, Colo.), LB; Josh McDaniel (Grand Rapids, Mich.), LB; Marcus Stuart (Eagle, Ida.), DB; Brandon McClure (St. Louis, Mo.), DB. QUINCY -- Lou Finnocchio (St. Louis, Mo.), WR; Austin Martin (Noblesville, Ind.), OL; Drew Hoffman (Quincy, Ill.), DL; Edward Harriel (Cahokia, Ill.), DB. ST. AMBROSE -- Hank Belshause (Orion, Ill.), LB. ST. FRANCIS, ILL. -- Javon Stewart (Bolingbrook, Ill.), RB; Donte Villery (Lafayette, La.), RB; Ponce de Leon Palmer (Findley, Ill.), WR; Broc Winn (Tuscola, Ill.), WR; Andrew Zurales (New Lenox, Ill.), TE; Matt Mazurowski (Tinley Park, Ill.), LB; Pat Lenahan (Homer Glen, Ill.), DB; Rashun Black (Waukegan, Ill.), 5-11, 180, Sr. TRINITY INTERNATIONAL -- Brennan Smith (Lake Worth, Fla.), WR; Jacob Love (San Antonio, Texas), WR; Kenneth Dantzler (Rock Island, Ill.), TE; Aaron Kauffman (Battle Creek, Mich.), OL; Eric Mayes (Gurnee, Ill.), OL; Timothy Jager (Tinley Park, Ill.), DL; Jesus Maldanado (Lockport, Ill.), DL; Patrick Dooley (Jacksonville, Fla.), DL; Jason Welch (Peoria, Ill.), DB; Marcus Harkness (Vista, Calif.), DB; Josiah Sheedlo (Spring Grov, Ill.), DB; Kellen Cottrell (Phoenix, Ariz.), DB. WILLIAM PENN -- Ryan Van Dalen (Oskaloosa, Iowa), QB; Skyler Crouch (Payson, Utah), WR;

Adam Randall (Sarasota, Fla.), WR; Steven Dawley (New Sharon, Iowa) OL; Brad Fite (Oskaloosa, Iowa), DL; Travis Grosshans (Plattsmouth, Neb.), LB; Jake Jenkins (Newton, Iowa), DB.

 

PLAYER OF THE YEAR – Jim DuPage, St. Ambrose.

Co-Coach of the Year -- Gary Newsome, Olivet Nazarene & Mike Magistrelli, St. Ambrose

Assistant Coach of the Year -- Adam Clark, St. Ambrose Defensive Coordinator

** -- Two-time all-conference selections