Thurs., Nov. 16, 2006

9 Cougars All-MSFA 1st team; Kevin Donley MEL COTY

    FINDLAY, Ohio -- University of Saint Francis linebacker Brian Kurtz has been named Mid-States Football Association Mideast League Player of the Year in voting by conference coaches released on Thursday by the MSFA office and USF head coach Kevin Donley has been named MSFA MEL Coach of the Year for a record sixth time.

   In voting by league coaches, USF had nine players named to the first team, four to the second team one selected honorable mention after the Cougars secured their eighth consecutive MSFA MEL title and an eighth consecutive NAIA Football Championship Series berth as the No. 1 team. Not bad for a 'reloading' year after losing 19 seniors from the 2005 NAIA runnerup squad.

   Kurtz, a first-team selection for the third consecutive year, gives the USF program three consecutive league POTY honors. QB Chris Bramell was the 2005 MSFA MEL POTY and then junior RB Cory Jacquay was chosen in 2004. Kurtz becomes the fourth member from the USF program to earn the conference POTY award. WR Jeremy Dutcher was the first honored Cougar in 2000.

Donley's COTY honor is the fourth time he has been selected in the last five years. He guided USF to its fifth consecutive undefeated season.

Joining Kurtz (6-foot-1, 220-pounds) as a first-team defensive selection and repeat selection is junior lineman William Knepper, a 2005 NAIA All-American. Tim Farrell, who played end, was a first-time, first-team selection. Clint Bontempo was a first-team selection at punter.

USF had some big holes to fill on the offensive line, but got the job done with three first-time all-MSFA first-team selections in senior center John Wolf and junior tackles Josh Ekovich and Brian Smiley. Junior WR Zach Rainey was a first-time, first-team selection and sophomore Cale Grzych was first-team at placekicker.

In his first season as starting QB, Eric Hooks earned a second-team nomination. RBs Doug Wasylk and Derrick Alderman were also selected second-team. On defense, senior OLB Cody Van Deursen was selected. USF senior WR Bo Thompson was an honorable mention selection.

2006 MSFA All-League Selections -- Mideast League

First Team Offense

QUARTERBACK: Cris Reisert (Cincinnati, OH), Ohio Dominican, 6-2, 205, Soph. RUNNING BACKS: Kirk Hannah (Miami, FL), Urbana, 6-0, 220, Soph.; Bernard Payton (Pomona, CA), Malone, 6-1, 205, Jr.; Antwain Reine’ (Dayton, OH), Walsb, 5-9, 195, Jr, WIDE RECEIVERS: Jarod Stace (Whitehall, OH), Ohio Dominican, 5-9, 185, Jr.; **Robbie Lash (Shelby, OH), Walsh, 5-11, 190, Jr.; Zach Rainey (Indianapolis, IN), Saint Francis, IN, 6-0, 193, Jr. TIGHT END: Joe Farfsing (Cincinnati, OH), Ohio Dominican, 6-3, 257, Soph. LINEMEN: John Wolf (Indianapolis, IN), Saint Francis, IN, 6-3, 312, Sr.;Mike Galassi (Strongsville, OH), Walsh, 6-5, 305, Jr.; Brian Smiley (Fort Wayne, IN), Saint Francis, IN, 6-1, 303, Jr.; Josh Ekovich (LaPorte, IN), Saint Francis, IN, 6-1, 274, Jr.; Matt Pierce (Huber Heights, OH), Ohio Dominican, 6-4, 281, Jr. PLACEKICKER: Cale Grzych (Ossian, IN), Saint Francis, IN, 5-9, 180, Soph. RETURN SPECIALIST: **Robbie Lash (Shelby, OH), Walsh, 5-11, 190, Jr.

First Team Defense

LINEMEN: **William Knepper (Warsaw, IN), Saint Francis, IN, 6-3, 324, Jr.; Jeff Jeffries (Dayton, OH), Malone, 6-2, 262, Jr.; Tim Farrell (Fort Wayne, IN), Saint Francis, IN, 6-2, 239, Soph.; David Hardwick (Kent, OH), Walsh, 6-4, 251, Jr. LINEBACKERS: ***Brian Kurtz (Fort Wayne, IN), Saint Francis, IN, 6-1, 220, Sr.; Bryan Howe (Akron, OH), Walsh, 6-1, 242, Jr.; Brian Hall (Rillton, PA), Geneva, 6-1, 240, Sr.; Justin Murphy (Minerva, OH), Malone, 6-2, 240, Jr. DEFENSIVE BACKS: Montreal Wade (Medina, OH), Walsh, 6-0, 174, Sr.; Rayshaun Kizer (Euclid, OH), Walsh, 5-10, 185, Sr.; Craig McConnell (Massillon, OH), Walsh, 5-10, 185, Soph.; Joe Phinisee (Warren, OH), Walsh, 5-10, 170, Jr. PUNTER: Clint Bontempo (Fort Wayne, IN), Saint Francis, IN, 6-0, 214, Sr.

Second Team Offense

QUARTERBACK: Eric Hooks (Indianapolis, IN), Saint Francis, IN, 5-11, 208, Sr. RUNNING BACK: Doug Wasylk (Fort Wayne, IN), Saint Francis, IN, 5-10, 201, Soph.; Derrick Alderman (Richmond, IN), Saint Francis, IN, 5-11, 216, Sr.; Nathan Clark (Newark, OH), Ohio Dominican, 5-9, 190, Soph. WIDE RECEIVERS: Marc Burr (Cincinnati, OH), Urbana, 6-1, 190, Sr.; Derek Deardorff (Kenton, OH), Malone, 6-3, 200, Jr.; Mike Lehman (Hanford, CA), Geneva, 6-2, 185, Sr. TIGHT END: Purnell Sweeney (Maple Heights, OH), Urbana, 6-1, 250, Sr. LINEMEN: Tom Fairall (Newark, OH), Walsh, 6-0, 254, Jr.; Tommy Jones (Lake Charles, LA), Urbana, 6-3, 320, Jr.; Sean Duesing (Cincinnati, OH), Ohio Dominican, 6-0, 252, R-Fr.; Jim Raley (New Waterford, OH), Geneva, 6-3, 285, Sr.; Mike Widmer (Genoa, OH), Urbana, 6-2, 250, Sr.

Second Team Defense

LINEMEN: Nick Yanko (Akron, OH), Ohio Dominican, 6-3, 302, Soph.; Ben Sholl (Lancaster, OH), Ohio Dominican, 6-4, 253, Soph.; Shawn Lewis (Aberdeen, MD), Urbana, 6-4, 240, Soph.; Nick Phillips (Monaca, PA), Geneva, 6-2, 250, Sr. LINEBACKERS: Dan Dale (Canton, OH), Walsh, 6-3, 230, Jr.; Cody Van Deursen (Lowell, IN), Saint Francis, IN, 6-0, 205, Sr.; Nathan Hillerich (Groveport, OH), Ohio Dominican, 6-0, 224, Jr.; Ben Bastin (Oceana, OH), Urbana, 5-9, 215, Soph. DEFENSIVE BACKS: Nana Ansha (Silver Springs,. MD), Ohio Dominican, 6-0, 185, Soph.; Jermaine Toney (Bishopville, SC), Urbana, 5-8, 175, Sr.; Jason Frantz (Mssillon, OH), Malone, 6-0, 175, Sr,; Rayshawn Cole (Akron, OH), Malone, 5-9, 175, Sr.

Honorable Mention

GENEVA: Justin Sciarro (Beaver Falls, PA), QB; Brian Dvorsak (Beaver Falls, PA), WR; Luke Duriancik (Vandergrift, PA), WR; Greg Eberhart (Pittsburgh, PA), LB; Gabe Gordon (Clarington, PA), LB; Zach Feltrop (Beaver Falls, PA), LB; Keith Davis (North Braddock, PA), DB. MALONE: Brad Reifsnyder (North Canton, OH), QB; Josh Settlemire (Warren, OH), WR; LaRoi Johnson (Pittsburgh, PA), TE; Rayshawn Cole (Akron, OH), DB. OHIO DOMINICAN: Marcus Roberts (Silver Spring, MD), RB; Justin Sayre (Newark, OH), WR; Josh Smart (Englewood, OH), WR; Joe Slabaugh (Akron, OH), DB; Zach Jacobs (Bellefontaine, OH), DB. SAINT FRANCIS, IN: Bo Thompson (Indianapolis, IN), WR. TAYLOR: Ty Needler (Sweetser, IN), LB. URBANA: Ryan Gehlert (Indianapolis, IN), QB; Barry Quinn (Urbana, OH), WR; Kyle Lockett (Pleasantville, NJ), DL; Rob Delahanty (New Smyrna Beach, FL), DL; Brian Wetzler (Akron, NY), DL; Kevin Weber (Orchard Park, NY), LB.



PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Brian Kurtz, Saint Francis, IN, 6-1, 220, Sr.

COACH OF THE YEAR: Kevin Donley, Saint Francis, IN (9th year, 88-18)

ASSISTANT COACH OF THE YEAR: Mark Johnson, Walsh, defensive secondary, fitness coordinator

Midwest League

First Team Offense

QUARTERBACK: Billy Yeo (Oak Lawn, IL), Saint Xavier, 6-2, 205, Soph. RUNNING BACK: **James Jackson (Brockton, MA), William Penn, 5-9, 220, Sr.; Vernon Reed (Rock Island, IL), St. Ambrose, 5-10, 190, Jr.; Dominique Jones (St. Louis, MO), McKendree, 5-10, 185, Sr. WIDE RECEIVERS: **Andy Ricca (LaPorte, IN), Saint Xavier, 6-1, 200, Sr.; Deon Duke (Compton, CA), Trinity International, 5-11, 165, Jr.; Greg Gerritsen (Frankfort, IL), Saint Xavier, 6-2, 205, Sr. TIGHT END: Tyler Driscoll (DeWitt, IA), St. Ambrose, 6-1, 200, Jr. LINEMEN: Brad Cook (Bettendorft, IA), St. Ambrose, 6-1, 250, Sr.; Charlie Russ (Tinley Park, IL), Saint Xavier, 6-3, 260, Sr.; Mike Siverly (Casey, IL), McKendree, 6-4, 315, Jr.; Drew Filkins (Downers Grove, IL), St. Ambrose, 6-4, 270, Jr.; Harrison Brewer (Lockport, IL), Olivet Nazarene, 6-4, 295, Sr.; Bryan Edgar (Belleville, IL), McKendree, 6-, 280, Soph. PLACEKICKER: Shane Longest (Wilmington, IL), Saint Xavier, 5-11, 180, Jr.. RETURN SPECIALIST: Allen Buford (Kankakee, IL) , Olivet Nazarene, 5-8, 170, Sr.

First Team Defense

LINEMEN: Andy Wulf (Tipton, IA), St. Ambrose, 6-0, 270, Sr.; ***Jon Lehman (Milford, OH), Trinity International, 6-3, 240, Sr.; Ben Sacco (East Moline, IL), St. Ambrose, 6-4, 240, Sr.; **Tony Wheatley (Springfield, IL), McKendree, 6-2, 245, Sr. LINEBACKERS: Clint Peery (Payson, UT, William Penn, 6-2, 250, Jr.; Chad Otdoerfer (Oelwein, IA), St. Ambrose, 6-1, 220, Sr.; Jacob Zsuppon (Flossmoor, IL), Quincy, 5-11, 225, Soph.; Sean Kenney (Palos Hills, IL), Saint Xavier, 5-10, 215, Jr. DEFENSIVE BACKS: Ricardo Patterson (Bennetsville, SC), Quincy, 5-7, 170, Sr.; Adam Clapp (Oakland, IL), McKendree, 5-9, 180, Sr.; Chance Jenkins (Maquoketa, IA), St. Ambrose, 6-0, 210, Jr.; **Mike Harrison (Bloomington, IL), McKendree, 5-9, 185, Sr.

PUNTER: **Sean Collins (Niles, IL), Saint Xavier, 6-0, 220, Sr.

Second Team Offense

QUARTERBACK: Jim DuPage (Pekin, IL), St. Ambrose, 6-1, 210, Jr. RUNNING BACKS: Billy Lawrence (Clifton, IL), Olivet Nazarene, 5-10, 185, Sr.; Cory Williams (Coral Springs, FL), Quincy, 5-4, 162, Soph.; Jason Banning (Wilmington, IL), Saint Xavier, 5-11, 210, Soph. WIDE RECEIVERS: Patrick Mayes (Alton, IL), Quincy, 6-2, 162, Sr.; Brett Van Hove (Traer, IA), St. Ambrose, 6-3, 210, Sr.; Tim Turkowski (Orland Hills, IL), St. Ambrose, 6-4, 200, Sr. TIGHT END: Michael Robinson (Brockton, MA), William Penn, 6-4, 255, Sr. LINEMEN: Kevin Zientek (Oak Lawn, IL), Saint Xavier, 6-2, 250, Soph.; Jeremy Saunders (Warren, IL), Quincy, 6-5, 314, Jr.; Aaron Kauffman (Battle Creek, MI), Trinity International, 6-3, 295, Sr.; George Smith (Tacoma, WA), William Penn, 5-10, 265, Sr.; Dan Fahner (Belleville, IL), Quincy, 6-3, 235, Jr.

Second Team Defense

LINEMEN: Lee Davis (Maywood, IL), William Penn, 6-2, 280, Sr.; Adam Huebner (Dyer, IN), McKendree, 6-4, 285, Jr.; Floyd Turner (Maywood, IL), Iowa Wesleyan, 6-2, 280, Sr.; Justin Tuffs (Mokena, IL), Saint Xavier, 6-0, 250, Jr. LINEBACKERS: Joe Miller (Chicago, IL), Saint Xavier, 6-1, 225, Soph.; Josh Tooley (Libertyville, IL), Trinity International, 6-0, 210, Sr.; Dan Walker (Fort Collins, CO), Olivet Nazarene, 6-2, 215, Jr.; Derrick Summerlin (Cincinnati, OH), McKendree, 5-10, 210, Jr. DEFENSIVE BACKS: Mike Willkinson (Chicago, IL), Saint Xavier, 6-0, 200, Jr.; Dan Eble (Oak Lawn, IL), St. Ambrose, 5-9, 185, Jr.; Kellen Driscoll (Waseca, MN), St. Ambrose, 6-4, 260, Sr.; Justin Carmean (Mishawaka, IN), Olivet Nazarene, 6-0, 185, Jr.

Honorable Mention

IOWA WESLEYAN: Clint Hunold (Donnellson, IA), OL; Derek Kirby (Kingston, IL), OL; Jeffery Candler (Minneapolis, MN), DL; Lathavis Miller (Rochelle, GA), DL; James Fisher (Pahala, IL), LB; Tremell Jones (St. Louis, MO), DB; Ashton Smiley (Chicago Ridge, IL), DB; Ejouboke Atiyota (Blythe, CA), DB. McKENDREE: George Smith (Jacksonville, FL), RB; Matt Lauber (O’Fallon, IL), WR; Tim Fahrenhorst (Ballwin, MO), DL. OLIVET NAZARENE: Dan Herrmann (Glendale Heights, IL), WR; Austin Kizzee (Worthington, OH), WR; David Scherer (Racine, WI), TE; Andy Kizzee (Columbus, OH), DL; Jeremy Robinson (Schererville, IN), LB; Chris Bjorkland (Mishawaka, IN), DB; Aaron Palmer (Circleville, OH), DB. QUINCY: Matt Wehrle (Minooka, IL), QB; Greg Climan (Clearwater, FL), DL; Jamar Johnson (Oak Park, IL), DL; Jake Stone (Fremont, CA), DB; Luther Rush (Indianapolis, IN), DB; Chris Lee (Champaign, IL), DB. SAINT AMBROSE: Vince Fillipp (Cary, IL), DL; Justin Thompson (Bettendorf, IA), DB. SAINT XAVIER: Jim Doherty (Evergreen Park, IL), WR; Brett Farmer (Wilmington, IL), DL; Scott Kooistra (Chicago, IL), DL; John Klupshas (Oak Lawn, IL), LB; Tom Regnier (Manteno, IL), DB. ST. FRANCIS: Jason Fiske (Loves Park, IL), WR; Andrew Zurales (New Lenox, IL), TE; Matt Boyce (Lockport, IL), OL; Kevin Sanders (Elgin, IL), LB; Clayton Norberg (Sterling, IL), DB; Pat Lenahan (Homer Glen, IL), DB. TRINITY INTERNATIONAL: Ryan Thorson (Modesto, CA), QB; Brennan Smith (Lake Worth, FL), RB; Jordan Heesch (Wisconsin Dells, WI), TE; Tim Jager (Tinley Park, IL), DL; Zach McDole (Frankfort, IL), LB; Jason Welch (Peoria, IL), LB; James Hawk (Holtville, CA), LB; Kellen Cotrell (Phoenix, AZ), DB.WILLIAM PENN: Skyler Crouch (Payson, UT), WR; Antoine Murray (Detroit, MI), OL; Blandon Prowse (South Jordan, UT), DL; Chris Minton (Rock Hill, SC), DL; Cale Carlson (Odgen, IA), DB.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Andy Ricca, Saint Xavier, 6-1, 200, Sr.

COACH OF THE YEAR: Todd Sturdy, St. Ambrose (12th year, 85-39 record)

ASSISTANT COACH OF THE YEAR: Mike Magistrelli, St. Ambrose, defensive coordinator

** -- 2-time selection *** -- 3-time selection
 

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