Southeastern Places 14 on All-Southland Teams

HAMMOND, La. – After helping the Southeastern Louisiana football team to its third winning season in the past four seasons, 14 Lions were named to the 2016 All-Southland Football Teams, which were released by the league office on Tuesday.

 

Leading the way for Southeastern were a pair of first team all-conference selections in senior fullback Juwaan Rogers and senior offensive lineman Taylor Gadbois. A trio of Lions – sophomore running back Julius Maracalin, junior linebacker Sione Teuhema and junior defensive back Javon Tillman – earned second team honors.

 

Senior wide receiver Brandon Acker, junior wide receiver Juwan Dickey, junior offensive lineman Travis Romero, senior linebacker Tre’ Bennett, senior defensive back Will Hines, junior defensive back Torrance Mosley, junior defensive back Max Lyons, senior defensive lineman Jon Taylor and senior defensive lineman Anthony Murphy Jr. all were named as honorable mention All-Southland selections.

 

Rogers, an Amite, Louisiana native, put together a tremendous senior season after missing the 2015 season with an injury. The first Lion to earn first team tight end/h-back All-Southland honors, Rogers was the team’s best run blocker, while also catching three touchdowns in the passing game.

 

In his first season after transferring from Miami, Gadbois joins Donald Usry (2006), Gasten Gabriel (2013) and Jonathan Braddock (2014) on the list of SLU first team All-Southland offensive lineman. Gadbois split time between both tackle spots and Southeastern posted a 7-1 record in games in which the Dallas, Georgia native started.

 

Rogers and Gadbois were key components in clearing the way for Maracalin, who joins Rasheed Harrell (2013), Jasper Ducksworth (2009) and Jay Lucas (2007) among SLU All-Southland running backs. The Plaquemine, Louisiana native led the Lions for the second consecutive season with 747 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground. Injuries late in the season forced Maracalin to shoulder more of the rushing burden, as he topped 100 yards in each of the final three games, totaling 444 yards and five touchdowns in wins over Incarante Word, Abilene Christian and Nicholls.

 

Injuries were also part of the story for Southeastern’s other second team All-Southland honorees. After missing three games with an injury, Teuhema returned to lead SLU with 8.5 tackles for loss and four sacks. In his first season after transferring from LSU, the Keller, Texas native helped the Lions to a 6-1 record after returning to the lineup.

 

Like Rogers, Tillman returned after being granted a medical redshirt in 2015. The Oakland, California native started every game at free safety, leading the team with 89 tackles and sharing the league lead with three forced fumbles. Tillman’s selection marks 12 straight seasons that SLU has placed a defensive back on the first or second all-conference teams.

 

Tillman was not the only member of the Lion secondary to be recognized among the Southland’s elite, as Lyons, Mosley and Hines were all honorable mention selections. Lyons, who hails from Los Angeles, California, was second on the team with 73 tackles, while also leading the Southland with three fumble recoveries in his first season out of Santa Monica College.

 

A Dutchtown High School product who transferred in from TCU this fall, Mosely was third on the team with 64 tackles to go with seven pass break ups, an interception and a fumble recovery. Hines, a Waco, Texas native in his second season with the Lions after playing two seasons at Arkansas, led Southeastern with eight pass breakups, while also recording a fumble recovery and a forced fumble.

 

Two members of the Lion defensive line were honored by the league’s coaches and sports information directors. Taylor, a Millen, Georgia native, was recognized after his lone season in Hammond, as the run stuffer finished with 34 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and two sacks, as well as a blocked kick that was returned for a touchdown to key a 56-34 win over Stephen F. Austin.

 

Joining Taylor was Murphy, another Lion returning after an injury-riddled 2015 season. The Compton, California native shared team-high honors with four sacks, while also recording 37 tackles, eight tackles for loss, one fumble recovery and a forced fumble.

 

Bennett was Southeastern’s final defensive All-Southland selection, earning all-league accolades for the second straight season. The West Point, Mississippi native posted 43 tackles with five tackles for loss, an interceptions and a blocked field goal in his senior campaign.

 

Bennett was one of two Lions among the 2016 All-Southland honorees to claim all-league honors for the second straight season. Romero, a Manvel, Texas native, was recognized as one of the Southland’s best offensive lineman after starting every game at left guard for the Lions. The three-year starter was an anchor for an offensive line that steadily improved as the season progressed.

 

Rounding out the Southeastern all-conference contingent were the pass catching tandem of Dickey (42 catches, 768 yards, 7 TD), a Marietta, Georgia native, and Acker (32-687-7 TD), who hails from Hattiesburg, Mississippi. The two Lion pass catching threats combined for five 100-yard receiving games and both ranked among the league receiving leaders.

 

Southeastern’s All-Southland selections helped the Lions to their fourth winning league record in the past five seasons. The future is bright for SLU, as Maracalin, Teuhema, Tillman, Mosley, Lyons, Romero and Dickey all return for the 2017 season, which opens with a Sept. 2 contest at Louisiana-Lafayette.

 

Southland Conference champion Sam Houston State dominated the individual honors. Quarterback Jeremiah Briscoe was named the Player of the Year, while top receiver Yedidiah Louis was named Offensive Player of the Year. Defensive end P.J. Hall was selected Defensive Player of the Year, while Bridge Blount was tabbed Offensive Lineman of the Year and wide receiver Nathan Stewart was named Freshman of the Year.

 

The Bearkats rolled to an 11-0 finish in the regular season under the direction of Southland Coach of the Year K.C. Keeler. McNeese quarterback James Tabary was named the Southland Newcomer of the Year.

 

The All-Southland Conference teams were selected by the league’s head coaches and sports information directors. Coaches and SID’s were not allowed to vote for their own players.

 

2016 All-Southland Conference Football Teams

Player of the Year: Jeremiah Briscoe, Sam Houston State
Offensive Player of the Year: Yedidiah Louis, Sam Houston State

Defensive Player of the Year: P.J. Hall, Sam Houston State
Newcomer of the Year: James Tabary, McNeese State
Freshman of the Year: Nathan Stewart, Sam Houston State

Offensive Lineman of the Year: Bridge Blount, Sam Houston State

Coach of the Year: K.C. Keeler, Sam Houston State

 

First Team Offense

Pos. – Name – School – Cl. – Hometown

QB – Jeremiah Briscoe – Sam Houston State – Jr. – Houston, Texas

RB – De’Mard Llorens – Northwestern State – Sr. – Natchitoches, La.

RB – Corey Avery – Sam Houston State – Jr. – Dallas, Texas

TE/HB – Juwaan Rogers – Southeastern Louisiana – Sr. – Amite, La.

WR – Yedidiah Louis – Sam Houston State – Jr. – New Orleans, La.

WR – Desmond Smith – Central Arkansas – Sr. – Bentonville, Ark.

WR – Nathan Stewart – Sam Houston State – Fr. – Dallas, Texas

OL – Taylor Gadbois – Southeastern Louisiana – Sr. – Dallas, Ga.

OL – Bridge Blount – Sam Houston State – Sr. – Huntsville, Texas

OL – Stockton Mallett – Central Arkansas – Jr. – Harrison, Ark.

OL – Chandler Arceneaux – Nicholls – So. – Bourg, La.

OL – Tyler Tezeno – Sam Houston State – Jr. – Spring, Texas

AP – Jatavious Wilson – Central Arkansas – Sr. – Bastrop, La.

K – Nik Grau – Abilene Christian – Jr. – Grapevine, Texas

 

First Team Defense
Pos. – Name – School – Cl. – Hometown
DL – P.J. Hall – Sam Houston State – Jr. – Seguin, Texas

DL – Sully Laiche – Nicholls – Fr. – Gramercy, La.

DL – Jordan Toliver – Central Arkansas – Sr. – Duncanville, Texas

DL – John Franklin – Stephen F. Austin – Jr. – Greenville, Texas

LB – Garrett Dolan – Houston Baptist – Jr. – Mont Belvieu, Texas

LB – Sam Denmark – Abilene Christian – Jr. – Las Cruces, N.M.

LB – Justin Johnson – Sam Houston State – So. – Converse, Texas

DB – Brendan Langley – Lamar – Sr. – Marietta, Ga.

DB – Tremon Smith – Central Arkansas – Jr. – Anniston, Ala.

DB – George Odum – Central Arkansas – Jr. – Millington, Tenn.

DB – Tyler Williams – Central Arkansas – Sr. – Norcross, Ga.

DB – Darion Flowers – Sam Houston State – Jr. – Tyler, Texas

P – Joseph Figenshaw – Sam Houston State – Sr. – Rosenberg, Texas

KR – Khalil Thomas – McNeese – Sr. – Baton Rouge, La.

PR – Brendan Langley – Lamar – Sr. – Marietta, Ga.

 

Second Team Offense
Pos. – Name – School – Cl. – Hometown

QB – Hayden Hildebrand – Central Arkansas – Jr. – Bossier City, La.

RB – Julius Maracalin – Southeastern Louisiana – So. – Plaquemine, La.

RB – Remus Bulmer – Sam Houston State – So. – Missouri City, Texas

TE/HB – Zach Hetrick – McNeese – Sr. – Baton Rouge, La.

WR – C.J. Bates – Nicholls – Sr. – Louisville, Miss.

WR – Davion Davis – Sam Houston State – So. – Hutto, Texas

WR – Darious Crawley – McNeese – Jr. – Houston, Texas

OL – John Cook – Central Arkansas – So. – Grenada, Miss.

OL – Curtis Riser – Sam Houston State – Sr. – DeSoto, Texas

OL – Chris Bordelon – Nicholls – Sr. – White Castle, La.

OL – Josh Keith – Stephen F. Austin – Jr. – Katy, Texas

OL – Cameron Hussey – Northwestern State – Sr. – Houston, Texas

AP – Kody Edwards – UIW – Jr. – Mesquite, Texas

K – Alex Chadwick – Houston Baptist – So. – Valencia, Calif.

 

Second Team Defense

Pos. – Name – University – Cl. – Hometown

DL – Kedrick Harrison – Stephen F. Austin – Sr. – Coldspring, Texas

DL – Cardell Best – Central Arkansas – Jr. – Little Elm, Texas

DL – Jammerio Gross-Whitaker – McNeese – Jr. – Shreveport, La.

DL – Mouf Adebo – Sam Houston State – Jr. – Monroe, La.

LB – Sione Teuhema – Southeastern Louisiana – Jr. – Keller, Texas

LB – Allen Pittman – Nicholls – Fr. – St. Rose, La.

LB – Josh Zellars – UIW – Sr. – Baytown, Texas

DB – Javon Tillman – Southeastern Louisiana – Jr. – Oakland, Calif.

DB – Andre Fuller – McNeese – Jr. – Monroe, La.

DB – Xavier Bethany – Lamar – Sr. – Burton, Texas
DB – Devin Spurlock – Central Arkansas – Sr. – Dallas, Texas

DB – B.T. Sanders – Nicholls – Sr. – Foley, Ala.

P – Patrick Ponder – Central Arkansas – Jr. – Bay St. Louis, Miss.

KR – Jaylen Harris – Sam Houston State – Fr. – Cibolo, Texas

PR – Trae Hart – Stephen F. Austin – Jr. – Mesquite, Texas

 

Honorable Mention
Quarterback: Chase Fourcade, Nicholls; Tony Dawson, Houston Baptist; Zach Conque, Stephen F. Austin. Running Back: Terrance Peters, Houston Baptist; Kade Harrington, Lamar. Tight End/H-Back: Cody Dauksch, Central Arkansas; Deon Hutchinson, Sam Houston State; DeAndre Jennings, Lamar; Kiki Hill, Stephen F. Austin. Wide Receiver: Brandon Acker, Southeastern Louisiana; Juwan Dickey, Southeastern Louisiana; Jatavious Wilson, Central Arkansas; Tamrick Pace, Stephen F. Austin. Offensive Lineman: Travis Romero, Southeastern Louisiana; Riley Mayfield, Abilene Christian; Dakota Laws, Abilene Christian; Draven Taylor, UIW. Offensive All-Purpose: Tony Dawson, Houston Baptist. Defensive Lineman: Anthony Murphy Jr., Southeastern Louisiana; Jon Taylor, Southeastern Louisiana; Chris Terrell, Central Arkansas; Terrence Partee, Central Arkansas; Andre Walker, Houston Baptist; Koby Couron, Lamar; Chris Livings, McNeese; Ronald Ollie, Nicholls; Ryan Hanley, Nicholls; Chris Zirkle, Northwestern State; James DeLaRosa, Sam Houston State; Sione Latu, Sam Houston State. Linebacker: Tre’ Bennett, Southeastern Louisiana; Bryson Gates, Abilene Christian; Cameron Hamption, Abilene Christian; Cody Moncure, Houston Baptist; A.J. Davis, Sam Houston State; George Stone, Stephen F. Austin. Defensive Back: Will Hines, Southeastern Louisiana; Torrance Mosley, Southeastern Louisiana; Max Lyons, Southeastern Louisiana; Derek Broussard, Houston Baptist; Jeff Hall, Nicholls; Austin Balthazor, Northwestern State; Tyrel Stokes, Sam Houston State; Alize Ward, Stephen F. Austin. Kick Return Specialist: Jordan Hicks, UIW. Punt Return Specialist: Tremon Smith, Central Arkansas; Shakier Ryan, Northwestern State. Placekicker: Eric Piccione, Northwestern State; Luc Swimberghe, Sam Houston State; Storm Ruiz, Stephen F. Austin. Punter: Christian Guzman, Houston Baptist.