2016 MSFA All-League Selections Released
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FINDLAY, OHIO – Robert Morris (Ill.) University, winner of its first-ever Midwest League championship, headlines the Mid-States Football Association all-league selections as the Midwest offensive and defensive players of the year in a vote of MSFA coaches on Thursday.
Senior running back Korey Rogers, who leads the MSFA in rushing with 1.469 yards and 11 touchdowns, was chosen as the best offensive player in the Midwest. Teammate Dontae Johnson, also a senior, garnered the top defensive honor as a linebacker. The pair helped lead Robert Morris to the Midwest League title with a 4-0 record and the Eagles will carry a 7-3 into Saturday's inaugural post-season appearance.
RMU will be paired against Marian (Ind.) University, the defending NAIA champion, which features the Mideast League's top offensive performer in multi-talented senior Krishawn Hogan. The coaches' choice as the Mideast's best defensive player is Lucas Sparks, a senior defensive lineman from the University of Saint Francis (Ind.).
No.1-ranked Marian went 6-0 for its fourth Mideast League title, is 11-0 and riding a 20-game winning streaking heading to the playoffs, Saint Francis captured an at-large berth to the NAIA Football Series. The Cougars are 9-1 and finished 5-1 in the Mideast, losing only to Marian.
Robert Morris' Jared Williamson was selected as the Midwest coach of the year, while Concordia's Lonnie Pries garnered the same honor in the Mideast after guiding the Cardinals to their best finish (4-2 Mideast, 7-4 overall) in six years of football.
Overall, there are 19 repeat performers among this year's selections … 11 in the East and 8 in the West.
Hogan and junior defensive back Darius Price are 3-time all-Mideast picks, while Brad Connor, a senior wide receiver at St. Ambrose, has also been all-league three times.
Mideast League
First Team Offense
QUARTERBACK: **Nick Ferrer (Westfield, Ind.), Saint Francis, Ind., 6-4, 220, Jr. BACKS: Joe Conner (Flat Rock, Mich.), Concordia, 6-0, 205, Fr.; Jakhari Gore (Miami, Fla.), Marian, 5-9, 175, Sr. RECEIVERS: ***Krishawn Hogan (Indianapolis, Ind.), Marian, 6-4, 210, Sr.; **Seth Coate (Fort Wayne, Ind.), Saint Francis, 6-3, 218, Sr.; Montay McDowell (Indianpolis, Ind.), Saint Francis, Ind., 6-3, 225, Sr.; Trey White (Indianapolis, Ind.), Marian, 5-11, 185, Sr. TIGHT END: **Hans Lundberg (Houston, Minn.), Taylor, 6-2, 245, Sr. LINEMEN: **Logan Glaze (Leo, Ind.), Marian, 6-6, 285, Jr.; Norman Cyr (Dearborn Heights, Mich.), Concordia, 6-4, 283, Sr.; Darrion McAlister (Kokomo, Ind.), Marian, 6-1, 250, Jr.; Logan Ball (Yorktown, Ind.), Taylor, 6-4, 285, Jr.; **Keegan Bruner (Warsaw, Ind.), Saint Francis, Ind., 6-2, 320, Sr.; Brian Gegner (Indianapolis, Ind.), Saint Francis, Ind., 6-2, 265, Sr. PLACEKICKER: Matt Plesac (Hobart, Ind.), Marian, 5-11, 160, Soph. RETURN SPECIALIST: Jakhari Gore (Miami, Fla.), Marian, 5-9, 175, Sr.; Jordan Riley (Muskegon, Mich.), Siena Heights, 5-7, 170, R-Jr.; Dovi Gamble (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), Taylor, 6-0, 195, Jr.,
First Team Defense
LINEMEN: **Lucas Sparks (Springfield, Ohio), Saint Francis, Ind., 6-1, 220, Sr.; Dillon Dittemore (Lebanon, Ind.), Marian, 6-4, 260, Sr.; Eric Hemmelgarn (Portland, Ind.), Saint Francis, Ind., 6-5, 330, Soph.; Bradley Mullings (Parkland, Fla.), Marian, 6-3, 240, Soph. LINEBACKERS: **Piercin Harnish (Bluffton, Ind.), Saint Francis, Ind., 6-1, 230, Soph.; Beau Shields (Martinsville, Ind.), Marian, 6-1, 225, Sr.; **Shaquille Ash (Columbus, Ind.), Marian, 6-0, 215, Sr.; **Spencer Cowherd (Fort Wayne, Ind.), Saint Francis, 6-2, 205, Jr. BACKS: ***Darius Price (Saginaw, Mich.), Siena Heights, 6-2, 225, Jr.; Nashawn Lewis (Indianapolis, Ind.), Saint Francis, Ind., 6-2, 200, Sr.; Antonio Allen (Indianapolis, Ind.), Marian, 5-11, 205, Jr.; Da'Vonte Price (East Cleveland, Ohio), Siena Heights, 5-11, 190, Sr. PUNTER: Brandon Haan (Grand Rapids, Mich.), Taylor, 6-3, 225, Sr.
Second Team Offense
QB: Luke Johnston (Indianapolis, Ind.), Marian, 6-4, 200, Fr. RB: Justin Green (Griffith, Ind.), Saint Francis, 6-0, 205, Soph.; Maurice Woodard (Lafayette, Ind.), Marian, 6-1, 205, Soph.; Aaron Harris (Whiteland, Ind.), Saint Francis, 5-10, 210, Sr. WR: Isaiah King (Fairview Heights, Ill.), Mo. Baptist, 6-1, 190, Fr.; Deontae Rush (Chicago, Ill.), Siena Heights, 6-1, 185, R-Soph.; Herman Mason (Lansing, Mich.), Concordia, 6-2, 198, Jr.; Donnie Foster (Belleville, Ill.), Lindenwood, 6-1, 217, R-Jr. TE: Brandon Dillon (Bringhurst, Ind.), Marian, 6-5, 245, Soph. LINEMEN: Zach Minardo (Indianapolis, Ind.), Saint Francis, 6-3, 305, Sr.; Alex Woods (Indianapolis, Ind.), Saint Francis, 6-2, 265, Jr.; Robert McKee (Columbus, Ind.), Marian, 6-4, 285, Jr.; Jarin Bush (Flora, Ind.), Marian, 6-5, 295, Soph.; Ryan Borders (Jamestown, Ind.), Marian, 6-4, 285, Jr. PK: Brayden Bennett (Battle Creek, Mich.), Concordia, 5-11, 174, Sr.
Second Team Defense
LINEMEN: Jay Johnson (Aurora, Colo.), Taylor, 6-0, 315, Sr.; Kaleb Pohlman (Liberty Center, Ohio), Concordia, 6-3, 230, Jr.; Maleek Ross (Woodbridge, Mo.), Mo. Baptist, 6-2, 225, Jr.; Christian Johnson (Indianapolis, Ind.), Saint Francis, 6-3, 295, Sr. LB: Nate Yeloushan (Clarkston, Mich.), Siena Heights, 6-1, 235, Sr.; Cameron Gray (Highlands Ranch, Colo.), Taylor, 6-0, 230, Jr.; Eric Dunten (Fort Wayne, Ind.), Saint Francis, 6-1, 220, Soph.; Ty Peterson (Milan, Mich.), Concordia, 5-11, 190, Sr. DB: Nick Holshoe (Hopkins, Mich.), Concordia, 6-1, 205, Sr.; Jeremy Shupperd (Brownsburg, Ind.), Marian, 6-3, 230, Jr.; Dovi Gamble (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), Taylor, 6-0, 195, Jr.; JaRon Clark (Indianapolis, Ind.), Marian, 6-0, 180, Jr. P: Brandon Dowers (Brownsburg, Ind.), Marian, 6-1, 195, Jr.
Honorable Mention
CONCORDIA: Darricle Jones (Eastpointe, Mich.), 6-1, 300, Jr., OL; Andrew O'Hara (Cleveland, Ohio), 6-4, 230, Soph., LB; Keith Rubin (Whitmore Lake, Mich.), 6-3, 274, Soph., DL. LINDENWOOD-BELLEVILLE: Vincent Harris (Belleville, Ill.), 6-0, 300, R.-Sr., DL; Justin Kulich (Sesser, Ill.), 6-7, 295, Sr., OL; Trae Parker (Belleville, Ill.), 5-8, 182, R-Sr., DB. MARIAN: Eric Price (Sheridan, Ind.), 6-0, 180, Sr., DB; Kam Utter (Indianapolis, Ind.), 6-0, 200, Sr., WR; Bryan Goodin (Plantation, Fla.), 6-1, 200, Sr., LB. MISSOURI BAPTIST: Dontrail Johnson (Webster Grove, Mo.), 6-1, 185, Soph., LB; Keenan Savage (Kansas City, Mo.), 5-11, 210, Jr., LB; Kalen Petty (St. Louis, Mo.), 6-4, 220, Jr., TE. SAINT FRANCIS, IND.: Jason Nicodemus (Churubusco, Ind.), 5-10, 220, Sr., TE; Lee Stewart (Lima, Ohio), 6-1, 190, Jr., DB; Wilmer Cole (Indianapolis, Ind.), 6-2, 195, Soph., DB. SIENA HEIGHTS: Cha'Quan Love (Lansing, Mich.), 5-11, 195, Sr., FS; Malik Edwards (Port Huron, Mich.), 6-0, 280, Soph., DE; Curtis Smith (Redford, Mich.), 5-9, 175, Sr., WR. TAYLOR: Jeremy Ramirez (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), 6-3, 240, Jr., DL; Daniel Boy (Bellefontaine, Ohio), 6-0, 195, Soph., WR; Tim Barrett (Muncie, Ind.), 5-11, 195, Sr., RB.
COACH OF YEAR: Lonnie Pries, Concordia ASSISTANT COACH OF YEAR: Andy Mitchel, Marian
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF YEAR: Krishawn Hogan, Marian
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF YEAR: Lucas Sparks, Saint Francis, Ind.
*** -- 3-Time All-League Selections ** -- 2-Time All-League Selections
Midwest League
First Team Offense
QUARTERBACK: Kenyatte Allen (Lithonia, Ga.), Robert Morris, 6-0, 188, Jr. BACKS: Korey Rogers (Chicago, Ill.), Robert Morris, 5-6, 160, Sr.; Isaac Branch (Wheeling, Ill.), Trinity International, 5-8, 180, Soph. RECEIVERS: **Stephen Simms (Valparaiso, Ind.), Saint Xavier, 5-8, 175, Sr.; ***Brad Connor (Bloomington, Ill.), St. Ambrose, 5-9, 185, Sr.; **Montre Lee (Oxnard, Calif.), Robert Morris, 5-9, 145, Sr.; Brandon Ruffin (Peoria, Ill.), St. Francis, 6-4, 175, Fr. TIGHT END: Adam Morrison (Rosemont, Ill.), St. Francis, 6-2, 220, Jr. LINEMEN: ***Justin Hunter (Crest Hill, Ill.), Saint Xavier, 6-2, 310, Jr.; Andrew Webster (Crystal Lake, Ill.), Robert Morris, 6-1, 270, Sr.; Christopher Edwards (Hanover Park, Ill.), Robert Morris, 6-0, 285, Jr.; **Brennan Mulroe (New Lenox, Ill.), St. Francis, 6-2, 280, Soph.; Sean Jones (Crown Point, Ill.), Saint Xavier, 6-3, 275, Sr. PLACEKICKER: Brian Franklin (Chandler, Ariz.), Robert Morris, 5-10, 154, Sr. RETURN SPECIALIST: **Stephen Simms (Valparaiso, Ind.), Saint Xavier, 5-8, 175, Sr.
First Team Defense
LINEMEN: **Tim Smith (Oregon, Ill.), St. Francis, Ill., 6-3, 245, Sr.; Harrison Hale (Peoria, Ill.), St. Ambrose, 6-1, 210, Sr.; Ian Riggs (Rockford, Ill.), Robert Morris, 6-2, 231, Jr.; Alex Hamilton (Channahan, Ill.), Saint Xavier, 6-2, 215, Sr. LINBACKERS: **Dontaye Johnson (Germantown, Md.), Robert Morris, 6-0, 230, Sr.; Mitch Negangard (Sidney, Ill.), St. Ambrose, 6-0, 210, Sr.; Riley Schussler (Wrightstown, Wis.), Trinity International, 6-3, 211, Sr.; Chris Overton (Springfield, Ill.), St. Ambrose, 6-1, 230, Jr. BACKS: Deion Carter (Chicago, Ill.), Robert Morris, 6-1, 183, Sr.; Josh Woodard (Zionsville, Ind.), St. Francis, Ill., 6-2, 190, Jr.; Matt Johnson (Rockford, Ill.), Saint Xavier, 6-1, 200, Sr.; Jimmy McClinton (Robbins, Ill.), Robert Morris, 6-1, 168, Sr. PUNTER: Will Anderson (Glen Ellyn, Ill.), St. Ambrose, 6-1, 190, Sr.
Second Team Offense
QB: Don Butkus (Dyer, Ind.), St. Francis, Ill., 6-0, 190, Soph.; Pat Smith (Springfield, Ill.), St. Ambrose, 6-2, 210, Sr. RB: Joey Zito (Glendale Heights, Ill.), St. Ambrose, 5-10, 190, Sr.; Jamarri Watson (Oak Park, Ill.), St. Xavier, 5-8, 170, Fr. WR: Lexus Jackson (University Park, Ill.), St. Francis, Ill., 6-0, 175, Jr.; Rashaan Gaymon (Cape Coral, Fla.), Olivet Nazarene, 6-0, 170, Soph.; Tristen Jeffries (Sandusky, Ohio), Robert Morris, 6-1, 192, Jr.; Cory Windle (Yorkville, Ill.), Trinity International, 6-4, 219, Sr.; Isaiah Mosher (Erie, Colo.), St. Ambrose, 6-3, 205, Sr. TE: Michael Berry (Beavercreek, Ohio), Robert lMorris, 6-2, 232, Fr. LINEMEN: Dan Sullivan (Kankakee, Ill.), Olivet Nazarene, 6-4, 288, Sr.; Austin Griffin (Sherwood, Ore.), Robert Morris, 6-4, 320, Soph.; Kyle Grome (Patriot, Ind.), Trinity International, 6-3, 304, Sr.; Zac Benckendorf (Streator, Ill.), St. Ambrose, 6-3, 255, Jr.; Zach Gadbury (Tolono, Ill.), St. Ambrose, 6-2, 275, Fr. PK: Jeremiah Carter (Irvine, Calif.), Trinity International, 5-11, 174, Sr. RS: Tanner Champley (Taylorville, Ill.), St. Ambrose, 6-1, 195, Soph.
Second Team Defense
LINEMEN: Calvin Brayboy (Bolingbrook, Ill.), St. Francis, Ill., 6-4, 215, Sr.; Justin Hackley (Silver Spring, Md.), Trinity International, 6-2, 222, Sr.; Scott Kresal (Mokena, Ill.), Robert Morris, 6-2, 270, Jr.; Alex Ziomie (Wilmington, Ill.), St. Francis, Ill., 6-2, 230, Soph. LB: Wendell Lamar (Evergreen, Ill.), Robert Morris, 6-0, 250, Sr.; Omar Salazar (Plainfield, Ill.), Saint Xavier, 5-9, 195, Soph.; Caleb Coe (Cedarville, Ohio), Olivet Nazarene, 6-0, 200, Soph.; Sebastian Swift (San Diego, Calif.), Olivet Nazarene, 6-0, 210, Jr. BACKS: Jarell Carter (Houston, Texas), Trinity International, 5-10, 196, Sr.; Joe Marconi (Wheaton, Ill.), St. Ambrose, 6-0, 200, Sr.; Keyon Lansdown (Chicago, Ill.), Robert Morris, 5-11, 182, Soph.; Trey Winberg (Springfield, Ill.), St. Ambrose, 6-3, 185, Sr. PUNTER: Aaron Ordway (Middleville, Mich.), Trinity International, 6-0, 183, Sr.
Honorable Mention
OLIVET NAZARENE: Erik Anderson (St. Charles, Ill.), 6-0, 210, Jr., RB; Andrew Manganiello (Lemont, Ill.), 5-8, 250, Sr., DL; Drew Philson (Horton, Mich.), 6-2, 200, Sr., DB. ROBERT MORRIS: Will Nicholson (Corona, Calif.), 6-2, 225, Jr., DL; Dallis Flowers (Oak Park, Ill.), 6-2, 180, RS-Fr., DB; Antwan Morrison (Maywood, Ill.), 6-1, 210, Jr., TE. SAINT XAVIER: Josh Hettiger (Oak Lawn, Ill.), 6-2, 215, Fr., DL; Dan Ladd (Chicago, Ill.), St. Xavier, 6-2, 180, Sr., WR; Tim Walsh (Evergreen Park, Ill.), 5-11, 175, Soph., DB. ST. FRANCIS, ILL.: Ross Stremme (Frankfort, Ill.), 6-2, 295, Sr., OL; Dekota Doerr (Metamora, Ill.), 5-11, 190, Jr., DB; Omar Aqel (Orland Park, Ill.), 6-0, 215, Sr., LB. TRINITY INTERNATIONAL: JJ Burmeister (Miami, Fla.), 6-1, 191, Jr., QB; Bayley Pierson (Oceanside, Calif), 6-2, 245, Sr., DE; Godfrey Collins (Naperville, Ill.), 5-9, 270, Soph., DL. ST. AMBROSE: Luke Snyder (Geneseo, Ill.), 5-11, 205, Jr., LB; Chase Ferger (Rockford, Ill.), 5-10, 175, Jr., WR; Grant Wallace (Springfield, Ill.), 6-1, 225, Jr., DL.
COACH OF YEAR: Jared Williamson, Robert Morris,
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF YEAR: Korey Rogers, Robert Morris
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF YEAR: Dontae Johnson, Robert Morris
*** -- 3-Time All-League Selections ** -- 2-Time All-League Selections
