18 SAC Football Players Named to Daktronics All-Region Team
18 football student-athletes from the SAC have earned All-Super Region II selections from Daktronics, led by Defensive Player of the Year Cory Johnson of Catawba, it was announced on Thursday.
NEWBERRY, S.C. – 18 football student-athletes from the SAC have earned All-Super Region II selections from Daktronics, led by Defensive Player of the Year Cory Johnson of Catawba, it was announced on Thursday.
Johnson, who was named the co-SAC Defensive Player of the Year earlier this month, led the conference with 130 tackles this season at the linebacker position. He also had five tackles-for-loss, three pass breakups and two forced fumbles for the Indians in 2012.
Johnson is joined on the All-Region First Team by five other SAC players, including teammate Jumal Rolle, the conference's only other first-team defense selection.
Rolle finished tied for first in the SAC this season with six interceptions and also forced two fumbles.
On the offensive side, Wingate wide receiver Chris Bowden, Lenoir-Rhyne offensive lineman Kaleb Myrick, and Carson-Newman offensive lineman Kevin Day and running back Brandon Baker each were named to the First Team.
Bowden, a finalist for the 2012 Harlon Hill Trophy, led the SAC in receptions (106) and receiving yards (1,343) in 2012. Those numbers ranked second and third, respectfully, in Division II in the regular season.
Bowden and Baker were chosen as the co-SAC Offensive Players of the Year at the conclusion of the regular season. Baker, whose Carson-Newman team has reached the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division II Football Championship, currently has 1,313 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns on the year.
Myrick and Day, meanwhile, helped Lenoir-Rhyne and Carson-Newman finish first and second in Division II in rushing offensive, respectfully.
12 more SAC players earned second-team All-Region selections from Daktronics.
On offense, the SAC was represented on the Second Team by Tusculum wide receiver Xzanvion Smith, Wingate lineman Joseph So, Mars Hill lineman Nick Allison, Mars Hill running back Shaikel Davis and Carson-Newman kicker Curt Duncan.
On defense, Wingate lineman Nick Napolitano, Newberry linebacker Apollo Stretch, Wingate linebacker Jared Seate, Lenoir-Rhyne cornerback Myer Nolan, Tusculum safety Luke Harris, Brevard punter Eric Watts, and Mars Hill lineman and co-SAC Defensive Player of the Year Troy Harris were selected to the Second Team.
Members of the First Team will now be eligible for the 2012 Daktronics All-America Team.