The All-Southland Conference teams were unveiled Wednesday afternoon, and as expected, a slew of Lions filled up the list. Eight in total, actually, taking up nine spots as players can make the list at multiple positions.
Bauer Sharp made the 1st-team roster at tight end. The Taysom Hill-esque weapon scored eight times between the ground and through the air in 2023, being one of the top contributors this season. The former quarterback and redshirt sophomore from Alabama ran for 133 yards and received 288 more on around ten yards per catch. Sharp also entered the transfer portal Wednesday, the first Lion to do so this offseason, and will end up with two years of eligibility remaining for whichever program picks him up.
John Allen made his second-straight appearance on the 1st-team list. Allen split starts between left guard and center, and made the list as an offensive lineman, as the conference does not list specific positions for those selected. Allen was the anchor holding one of the top-gaining offenses in the conference.
Arlen Williams made the 1st-team list at defensive line, one of four selected. Williams totaled 40 tackles, 8 of which were behind the line of scrimmage, and 8.0 sacks. Williams improved from his 2nd-team all conference selection last season, and leaves Hammond with 11.5 sacks and over 100 tackles during his tenure with SLU.
Ian Conerly-Goodly was one of the Lions’ most consistent defenders. He was almost always near the top of individual game statistics for tackles, racking up 109 tackles, being the only Lion to hit triple-digit tackles in 2023. Conerly-Goodly also recorded an interception and a forced fumble. Only a sophomore, he still has two years of eligibility and should only improve.
Austin Dunlap was perhaps the most consistent player on the roster, overall. The senior punter leaves Hammond with back-to-back 1st-team selections and seven Special Teams Player of the Week awards, including three this season. Dunlap was a finalist for the FCS punter of the year last season, and should at least see his name thrown into contention for the award again this season. Dunlap booted the ball 43 times with a net average of just under 44 yards per punt. He also only registered one touchback all season, with 17 punts ending up inside the 20-yardline and several within five yards.
Darius Lewis made the list twice, as the 1st-team punt returner and as a 2nd-team wide receiver. Lewis recorded 16 punt returns and averaged 13.81 yards per return with a long of 44 yards. On offense, Lewis recorded four carries for 20 yards, and caught a team-high 48 passes for 568 yards and four touchdowns. Lewis was one of the most explosive players this season for SLU, and returns next season with one more year of eligibility.
Harlan Dixon made the list as a 2nd-team running back, with 403 rushing yards and five touchdowns, also making a major impact in the passing game with 35 receptions for 408 yards, finishing second on the team in both categories. Dixon ceded some carries late in the season, but still made an impact in just about every game this season, and in a conference where most rushing attacks are by committee, Dixon’s stats stood out enough to earn this award.
Herman Christophe IV made the list as a 2nd-team linebacker. In his final season of eligibility, Christophe led the linebacking corps with 85 tackles, second on the team to Conerly-Goodly. He also recorded a sack, a fumble recovery, and a forced fumble, en route to this honor. Christophe finished on the 3rd-team roster during the shortened Spring 2021 season.
