Beeler, Tranks Accorded National Honors By Don Hansen's FB Gazette

From WVIAC website:
PITTSBURG, Kan. —Harlon Hill Trophy winner Bernard Scott and Gene Upshaw Award winner Sam Collins of Abilene Christian headline a talented 2008 Don Hansen's Football Gazette NCAA Division II All-America team.

Scott, who captured the Division II National Player of the Year honors after finishing as the 2007 Hill Trophy runner-up, and quarterback Ted Schlafke, who led Minnesota Duluth to an unblemished 15-0 record and the 2008 NCAA Division II National Championship, shared Offensive Back of the Year honors. Charly Martin of West Texas A&M was named the Receiver of the Year, while Collins garnered Offensive Lineman of the Year accolades. Collins also received the sixth annual NCAA-II Rimington Award as the division's top offensive center.

On defense, Troy Pribnow of Wayne State (Neb.) claimed Lineman of the Year honors, while Clay Beeler of West Liberty earned Linebacker of the Year. Myles Burnsides of Northwest Missouri State earned Defensive Back of the Year. Punter Nick Krut of East Stroudsburg and return specialist Samuel Tranks of Seton Hill shared the Specialist of the Year award.

Minnesota Duluth's Bob Nielson, who returned to the sideline following a four-year hiatus in which he served solely as the school's director of athletics to guide the Bulldogs to a 15-0 record and the 2008 NCAA Division II National Championship, and Northwest Missouri State's Mel Tjeerdsma, who led the Bearcats to their fourth straight appearance in the NCAA-II National Championship Game, shared National Coach of the Year honors.

Scott, a senior from Vernon, Texas, rushed for 2,156 yards and 28 touchdowns and caught 47 passes for 826 yards and another six TDs. He led Division II in scoring (17.0 ppg) and all-purpose yards (256.8 ypg) and ranked second nationally in rushing with a 179.7 yard average per game. Collins, a senior from Denton, Texas, helped pave the way up front for Scott and the Wildcats. He anchored an offensive line that helped ACU lead Division II in scoring (52.3 ppg) and total offense (558.8 ypg) as the Wildcats posted an 11-1 record and reached the NCAA-II quarterfinals.
 
Schlafke, a senior from Stevens Point, Wis., helped lead one of the most impressive one-year turnarounds in Division II history as he guided the Bulldogs to a 15-0 record and the national championship one year after UMD battled injuries during a 4-6 campaign in 2007. Schlafke passed for 3,018 yards and 35 touchdowns on the season and he added 495 yards and seven scores on the ground.

Beeler, a sophomore from Waverly, Ohio, helped West Liberty to a 7-4 regular season worksheet.  His 111 tackles ranked second in the WVIAC and he paced the conference in tackles for loss per game (1.8) as he ended the season with 20 stops behind the line.  The all-region choice also racked up nine sacks to tie for third in the WVIAC.  Beeler also forced and recovered a pair of fumbles.

Tranks was a key figure in Seton Hill's magical 10-3 mark that included a trip to the NCAA postseason.  The Philadelphia, PA junior paced Division II with a 23.9 yard per punt return average and ranked 16th nationally in all-purpose yardage with 143.1 yards per game.  The Griffin big-play threat accounted for 826 yards on 63 receptions.  Tranks, who was also selected as a third All-American wide receiver on the Hansen squad, racked up a dozen touchdowns, including five on punt or kickoff returns.  His 64-yard punt return touchdown was a key play in SHU's 14-7 playoff victory versus American International (MA).

Three other WVIAC standouts joined Beeler and Tranks as first team honorees.  Glenville State teammates Jerry Seymour and Eric Turner, along with West Liberty defensive back Darren Banks, were picked for the top squad.

Seton Hill defensive end Matt Galadyk, Shepherd kick returner Deante Steele, and Concord punter Zach Boyd grabbed second team accolades.  Charleston defensive end T.L. Asbury was a third team pick, while Fairmont State defensive lineman David Hill and West Liberty running back Branden Ore garnered honorable mention awards.

This marks the 21st year Don Hansen's Football Gazette, a recognized authority on small college football, has selected an NCAA Division II All-America team.  The national publication selected All-Region teams with the first-team and second-team All-Region players from each of the four geographic regions (Super Region One – former Northeast; Super Region Two – former Southeast; Super Region Three – former Northwest; Super Region Four - former Southwest) comprising the national ballot, which was voted upon by a select national panel.

A total of 158 players earned some form of Football Gazette All-America honors.  Players from 69 of the 150 football-playing schools in Division II earned Football Gazette All-America accolades.  National Champion Minnesota Duluth and National Runner-up NW Missouri State led the way by placing eight players apiece on All-America squad.

FOR MORE INFORMATION please contact Football Gazette National Coordinator Dan Wilkes, Sports Information Director at Pittsburg State University, at 620-235-4147 (dwilkes@pittstate.edu).  The Football Gazette web site is located at www.donhansen.com.  The 2008 Don Hansen's Football Gazette All-America Team also is available at www.pittstategorillas.com/footballgazette.

†  The Boomer Esiason Foundation, which established the Dave Rimington Trophy in 2000 to honor the outstanding NCAA BCS center, expanded that award in 2003 to include the top center on each of the Don Hansen's Football Gazette NCAA FCS, DII, DIII and NAIA All-America squads. The Rimington Trophy web site is located at www.rimingtontrophy.com. Esiason, a high-octane Maryland quarterback, and Rimington, a nonpareil center for Nebraska, were NFL teammates at Cincinnati in the mid-1980s.
In 1993, Esiason created the New York City based foundation that bears his name to raise funds for the treatment and research of cystic fibrosis, a genetic disease his son Gunnar has battled since infancy.

First Team Offense
POS    NAME    HT    WT    YR    SCHOOL    HOMETOWN
QB    Ted Schlafke    6-0    185    SR    Minnesota Duluth    Stevens Point, Wis.
RB    Bernard Scott    5-11    200    SR    Abilene Christian    Vernon, Texas
RB    Jerry Seymour    5-7    195    SR    Glenville State    Miramar, Fla.
FB    Galen Stone    6-2    225    JR    Saginaw Valley State    Grand Blanc, Mich.   
WR    Charly Martin    6-2    210    SR    West Texas A&M    Houston, Texas
WR    Johnny Spevak    6-3    200    JR    Central Washington    Edgewood, Wash.
TE    Jerrell NeSmith    6-2    215    JR    Tusculum    Russellville, Ala.
C    Sam Collins    6-0    270    SR    Abilene Christian    Denton, Texas
OG    Nate Baier    6-3    290    SR    Minnesota Duluth    Bloomer, Wis.
OG    Jeremy Davis    6-3    300    SR    NW Missouri State    Port Neches, Texas
OT    Mitch Cady    6-6    290    SR    Minnesota Duluth    Wayzata, Minn.
OT    Nick Urban    6-5    300    SR    Winona State    Brookfield, Wis.
AP    Trevar Deed    5-11    205    SO    Delta State    Phoenix, Ariz.
PK    Tom Schneider    6-0    195    SR    North Alabama    Walnut Creek, Calif.

First Team Defense
POS    NAME    HT    WT    YR    SCHOOL    HOMETOWN
DE    Ricky Hope    6-1    250    SR    A&M-Commerce    Poulan, Ga.
DE    Troy Pribnow    6-3    250    SR    Wayne State (Neb.)    Scribner, Neb.   
DG/DT    Matt Cox    6-0    260    SR    Western Oregon    Salem, Ore.
DG/DT    Jake Visser    6-2    275    SR    Ferris State    Coopersville, Mich.
LB    Clay Beeler    6-1    225    SO    West Liberty State    Waverly, Ohio
LB    Jared Brock    6-1    232    SR    West Texas A&M    Abernathy, Texas
LB    Ruzell McCoy    5-10    210    SR    Southwestern Oklahoma    Frederick, Okla.
CB    Darren Banks    5-10    185    SR    West Liberty State    Camden, N.J.
CB    Jeff Franklin    5-9    185    SR    Central State (Ohio)    Chicago, Ill.
S    Myles Burnsides    5-11    195    JR    NW Missouri State    Maryville, Mo.
S    Eric Turner    5-11    175    SR    Glenville State    Weirton, W. Va.
P    Nick Krut    5-11    185    SR    East Stroudsburg    Clarks Summit, Pa.
RS    Samuel Tranks    6-0    185    JR    Seton Hill    Philadelphia, Pa.

Second Team Offense
POS    NAME    HT    WT    YR    SCHOOL    HOMETOWN
QB    Mike Reilly    6-3    212    SR    Central Washington    Kalispell, Mont.
RB    LaRon Council    5-10    210    JR    NW Missouri State    Kansas City, Mo.
RB    Bobby Coy    5-10    205    JR    Mesa State    Littleton, Colo.
FB    Stefan Adams    5-10    230    JR    Bloomsburg    West Chester, Pa.
WR    Marcel Pestano    6-0    185    SR    California (Pa.)    Lehigh Acres, Fla.
WR    Mike Washington    6-0    190    SR    West Chester    Philadelphia, Pa.
TE    Ryan Paulson    6-4    230    JR    West Chester    Phoenixville, Pa.
C    Chance Galey    6-2    260    SR    Chadron State    Crawford, Neb.
OG    Thomas Battle    6-3    320    SR    Carson-Newman    Chattanooga, Tenn.
OG    Kendall Molz    6-4    275    SR    Pittsburg State    Kiowa, Kan.
OT    Nate Nurse    6-5    295    SO    California (Pa.)    Teaneck, N.J.
OT    Tony Washington    6-7    300    SR    Abilene Christian    New Orleans, La.
AP    Alfonso Hoggard    5-4    150    SO    Clarion    Philadelphia, Pa.
PK    Craig Burris    5-11    200    SO    Indiana (Pa.)    Medina, Ohio
   
Second Team Defense
POS    NAME    HT    WT    YR    SCHOOL    HOMETOWN
DE    Matt Galadyk    6-4    240    JR    Seton Hill    Colonial, N.J.
DE    Danny Richard    6-4    250    SO    Grand Valley State    West Bloomfield, Mich.
DG/DT    Louis Ellis    6-3    315    SR    Shaw    Jackson, Minn.
DG/DT    Dan Skuta    6-3    265    SR    Grand Valley State    Flint, Mich.
LB    Jeffrey Cargile    5-9    200    SR    Morehouse    Cincinnati, Tenn.
LB    Lardester Hicks-Green    6-1    235    JR    Delta State    Chicago, Ill.
LB    Zach Watkins    6-0    230    JR    Washburn    Independence, Mo.
CB    Devon Hughes    5-11    180    SR    Henderson State    Marlin, Texas
CB    David Raymond    5-11    190    SR    North Alabama    Atlanta, Ga.
S    Dante Dunn    5-10    188    SR    Wayne State (Mich.)    Lansing, Mich.
S    Alex Kuhlman    6-3    205    SO    Pittsburg State    Ness City, Kan.
P    Zach Boyd    6-2    240    SR    Concord (W. Va.)    Christiansburg, Va.
RS    Deante Steele    5-7    175    SO    Shepherd    Woodbridge, Va.

Third Team Offense
POS    NAME    HT    WT    YR    SCHOOL    HOMETOWN
QB    Corey Russell    6-4    190    SR    Tusculum    Speedwell, Tenn.   
RB    Brian McNeill    5-9    180    SR    Nebraska-Omaha    Philadelphia, Pa.
RB    Isaac Odim    6-0    215    SO    Minnesota Duluth    Rochester, Minn.
FB    Jeremy Huber    5-11    242    SR    Augustana (S.D.)    Sioux Falls, S.D.
WR    Julius Pruitt    6-3    210    SR    Ouachita Baptist    Newport, Ark.
WR    DJ Winfield    5-8    170    FR    Minnesota Duluth    Mountain Iron, Mich.
TE    Isaac Stockton    6-3    237    JR    Chadron State    Colorado Springs, Colo.
C    Tubias Lemeke    6-5    340    JR    Minnesota Duluth    Essen, Germany
OG    Matt Bosso    6-2    315    SR    Bloomsburg    Camp Hill, Pa.
OG    Joseph Thompson    6-3    315    SR    Abilene Christian    Dallas, Texas
OT    Terence Crosby    6-3    295    JR    Catawba    Winston-Salem, N.C.
OT    J'Marcus Webb    6-8    320    JR    West Texas A&M    Mesquite, Texas
AP    Caleb Farabi    5-7    171    SR    Pittsburg State    Pittsburg, Kan.
AP    Samuel Tranks    6-0    185    JR    Seton Hill    Philadelphia, Pa.
PK    Matt Adams    5-10    180    SR    Abilene Christian    Abilene, Texas

Third Team Defense
POS    NAME    HT    WT    YR    SCHOOL    HOMETOWN
DE    TL Asbury    6-5    245    SR    Charleston (W. Va.)    Frazier's Bottom, W. Va.
DE    Sean Paddock    6-2    255    JR    NW Missouri State    Bettendorf, Iowa
DG/DT    Jon Ochs    6-0    250    SR    Bloomsburg    Wind Gap, Pa.
DG/DT    Marc Schiechl    6-3    250    SR    Colorado Mines    Lakewood, Colo.
LB    Michael Dell    6-3    245    JR    West Chester    Hummelstown, Pa.
LB    Matt Freed    5-10    205    SO    East Stroudsburg    Souderton, Pa.
LB    Justin Scott    6-3    235    SR    Tusculum    Jamestown, N.C.
CB    Andrew Jackson    5-11    190    JR    Merrimack    New Britain, Conn.
CB    Terrence Johnson    6-0    195    JR    California (Pa.)    Braddock, Pa.
S    Caylon Hann    5-10    170    SO    N.C.-Pembroke        Homestead, Fla.
S    Sherard Reynolds    5-10    185    SR    Valdosta State    Moultrie, Ga.
S    Tyler Yelk    6-0    200    SR    Minnesota Duluth    Arlington, Wis.
P    John Gregory    6-2    210    JR    Tusculum    Ooltewah, Tenn.
RS    Kelvin Rodgers    6-0    170    JR    Minnesota State    East St. Louis, Ill.

Honorable Mention
ALPHABETICAL, BY SCHOOL — A&M-Kingsville: Jabir Perkins, S; Cody Smith, P; Abilene Christian: Emery Dudensing, FB; Billy Malone, QB; American International: Travis Poole, WR; Jean Simeon, DG/DT; Ashland: Bill Cundiff, QB; Reggie Gamble, OT; Justin Magruder, OG; Arkansas Tech: Torrence Wright, C; Bemidji State: Terrell Phelps, CB; California (Pa.): Juan Butler, S; Corey Garver, TE; Carson-Newman: Buck Washington, RB; Catawba: Jamelle Cuthbertson, RB; Melquan Fair, DG/DT; Central Missouri: DeMarco Crosby, TE; Central Washington: Jared Bronson,TE; Josh Gariano, C; Central Oklahoma: Jermelle Cudjo, DG/DT; Chadron State: Austin Bailey, LB; Aaron Ide, DG/DT; Maurince Threatts, RS; Colorado State-Pueblo: Chase Vaughn, DE; Delta State: Mark Ellis, OT; Ben Stallings, FB; Edinboro: John Bzorek, OG; Trevor Harris, QB; Fairmont State: David Hill, DG/DT; Ferris State: Kevin Noe, LB; Findlay: Anthony Fields, CB; Fort Hays State: CJ Lovett, CB; Grand Valley State: James Berezik, RB; Todd Carter, PK; Henderson State: Greg Godfrey, AP/RS; Garett Manning, WR; Hillsdale: Drew Berube, DE; Mercyhurst: Jimmy Kokrak, LB; Mesa State: Jared Keating, PK; Michigan Tech: Phil Marbrath, RB; Minnesota Duluth: Ben Loth, LB; Missouri Southern: Jared Brawner, LB; Missouri Western: Roger Allen, OG; Soane Etu, DG/DT; Jamie Hanson, P; Dustin Strickler, PK; Nebraska-Kearney: Geoff Carnahan, P; Nebraska-Omaha: Jeff Souder, LB; North Alabama: Will Batson, P; Sam Hathorn, C; A.J. Milwee, QB; North Greenville: Andre Bernardi, DE; Northeastern State: Jarrett Byers, RS; NW Missouri State: Reid Kirby, OT; Joel Osborn, QB; Tom Pestock, OG; Kendall Wright, WR; Pittsburg State: Brandon Clark, FB; Rusty Morgan, LB; Mark Smith, QB; Saginaw Valley State: Matt Black, CB; John Jacobs, LB; So. Connecticut State: Ed Peters, C; Tiffin: Dyshaun Edwards, AP; Truman: Les Hammers, DE; Tusculum: Ryan Tallent, WR; Tuskegee: Michael Stevens, C; Wayne State (Neb.): Logan Master, WR; West Alabama: Garry Pack, LB; West Chester: Kennis Jones, C; Brian Staerk, OT; West Liberty State: Branden Ore, RB; West Texas A&M: Keith Null, QB; Winona State: Todd Burkoth, TE; Brent Yule, LB.
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