Southland Announces 2010 Preseason All-Conference Football Teams
LAKE CHARLES, La. - Stephen F. Austin senior quarterback Jeremy Moses, senior defensive back Andre Banks and McNeese State sophomore defensive back Malcolm Bronson highlight the 2010 Southland Conference preseason all-conference football teams, which were announced Wednesday at the league's football media day at the L'Auberge du Lac Resort in Lake Charles, La.
Moses was named the Southland's co-player of the year in 2009, while Banks received newcomer of the year honors and Bronson took home the freshman of the year award. Nineteen of the 52 players listed in the preseason teams are returning all-conference selections from the 2009 season, including nine first-team members and 19 second-team selections.
Seven of the Southland universities had at least three student-athletes named to the two preseason all-conference teams. McNeese State led all universities with 14 selections, including a conference-best seven first-team honorees. Stephen F. Austin had 12 selections, including five first-team members. Central Arkansas and Southeastern Louisiana each had seven selections, while Texas State had five, Northwestern State had four and Nicholls had three.
McNeese State returns 15 starters from a team that recorded a share of its league-leading 13th Southland Conference title in 2009, its sixth in the past 10 years, and made its 14th appearance in the FCS playoffs. Bronson, a native of Jasper, Texas, led the Cowboys in tackles last season with 67, including 42 solo stops. His tackle total tied for the 18th-best total in the Southland, and was the second highest total among league freshmen. Bronson was the 11th player from McNeese State and the second in his family to be named freshman of the year since 1978, the first season of the award. His uncle, Zach Bronson, a former eight-year NFL veteran with the San Francisco 49ers, was the freshman of the year for McNeese State in 1993.
McNeese State also placed two other defensive backs on the first-team, giving the Cowboys three of the five first-team selections at the position. Junior defensive back Darrell Jenkins earned first-team all-conference recognition a year ago after recording 58 tackles, a sack, two pass breakups and a forced fumble. Sophomore defensive back Seth Thomas made 28 tackles, including two tackles for loss and one sack. He led the team with three interceptions and defended seven passes while breaking up four. He also recovered a fumble. Add senior defensive lineman Desmund Lighten and the Cowboys have four starters on the first-team defense. Lighten, a first-team all-conference selection in 2009, recorded 58 tackles, including nine for losses and two sacks, forced two fumbles and recovered three.
The Cowboys had three players earn first-team preseason all-conference honors, including sophomore running back Champlain Babin and two offensive linemen, junior Miguel Gauthreaux and sophomore Jonathan Landry. McNeese State also landed seven second-team members including senior wide receiver Chris Royal, senior tight end Corday Clark, junior offensive lineman Taylor Johnson, senior defensive linemen Terrance Freeman and Josh Ellison, senior linebacker Geremy Pilate and sophomore defensive back Ford Smesny.
Stephen F. Austin enters the season in defense of last year's championship, its third regular season title and first since 1999. The Lumberjacks boast five first-team members led by 2009 co-player of the year Jeremy Moses. Moses not only led the Southland, but led all FCS quarterbacks with 4,124 yards, 40 touchdowns and 385 completions. His 68 percent completion percentage ranked third nationally and his 145.13 passing efficiency mark ranked 14th among FCS quarterbacks a year ago. A native of Baytown, Texas, Moses has thrown for 300 or more yards 17 times in his career, including seven times last season.
SFA returns the bulk of its defensive strength with four first-team selections led by senior linebacker Jabara Williams. A returning first-team all-conference selection, Williams, a native of Garrison, Texas, was one of only three players in the Southland with more than 100 tackles in 2009 and ranked third in the league with 113 tackles. Joining Williams on the first-team defense are senior defensive linemen Kenneth Charles and Sean Warren. Sophomore Gralyn Crawford was selected as return specialist on the first-team defense and also earned second-team honors at the fullback/halfback position.
The Lumberjacks had seven second-team selections. On defense, Banks, a native of Austin, Texas, and the 2009 newcomer of the year, had 63 tackles, two interceptions, six pass breakups and a forced fumble last season. Junior linebacker Devin Ducote led the Southland in tackles with 137 in 2009 and tied for second among all FCS defenders. Offensively, sophomore Romante Hampton joined Crawford to compose the offensive backfield taking the running back and halfback positions, respectively. Sophomore George Bias was named to the offensive line and junior Drew Nelson was named as the placekicker and as the second-team punter.
Central Arkansas led all schools with five first-team selections on offense. In the backfield, the Bears took two of the three positions with the selection of senior Rico Moss and sophomore Jackie Hinton at halfback and running back, respectively. Senior Willie Landers was picked at wide receiver, senior Austin Emerson was selected to the offensive line and senior Eddie Carmona received an automatic selection as the placekicker after receiving first-team all-conference honors in 2009. On the first-team defense, senior Markell Carter was named to the defensive line and was one of four players in the Southland with at least 10 sacks in 2009. On the second-team, senior Henry Minor was selected at defensive back.
Southeastern Louisiana boasts seven members on the preseason teams, two of which are returning first-team all-conference selections from 2009 garnering automatic honors - seniors Mark Newbill at linebacker and Re'Keem Wilson at defensive back. A native of Monroe, La., Newbill ranked second in the Southland with 110 tackles with 9.5 for loss. Wilson, a Franklinton, La., native, led the conference in passes defended (11), interceptions (4) and had 48 tackles in 2009. Senior Tommy Connors, who received a medical redshirt after playing just two games last year, was named at defensive back giving Southeastern three starters on the first-team defense. A second-team All-American in 2008, he has 257 career tackles, including 189 solo stops.
On the first-team offense, junior Simmie Yarborough was selected at tight end. He led the Southland with 12 touchdown receptions a year ago. On the second-team, sophomore Zeke Jones was named at running back, senior Kevin Hughes was selected to the offensive line and sophomore Devan Walker was chosen on the defensive line.
Winners of the 2008 Southland championship, Texas State had five selections on the preseason all-conference teams. The Bobcats are represented on the first team by senior wide receiver Da'Marcus Griggs and returning first-team all-conference pick D.J. Hall on the offensive line. On the second-team, junior Daren Dillard was named at wide receiver, junior Adley Eshraghipour was selected to the defensive line and senior Marcus Clark was named at defensive back.
Northwestern State's preseason honorees include a first-team selection and three second-team members. Senior offensive lineman Michael Booker represents the Demons on the first-team offense. Sophomore quarterback Paul Harris led all league freshmen in total offense with 1,515 yards with 978 through the air in 2009. Junior offensive lineman Zach Case received second-team merits and defensively, sophomore return specialist Bradley Brown received second-team honors.
Nicholls received three selections led by senior punter Patrick Dolan, a returning first-team all-conference member. Dolan led the Southland with a 42.7 yard average and accumulated more than 2,500 yards (2,521) of distance in punts including 13 punts of 50 yards or more. On the second-team, senior Brandon Ward was named to the offensive line and junior Bobby Felder was selected at defensive back.
2010 PRESEASON ALL-SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE FOOTBALL TEAMS
|
First Team Offense
|
|
Pos
|
Name
|
University
|
Ht.
|
Wt.
|
Cl.
|
Hometown
|
|
QB
|
Jeremy Moses
|
Stephen F. Austin
|
6-0
|
200
|
Sr.
|
Baytown, Texas
|
|
RB
|
Champlain Babin
|
McNeese State
|
5-10
|
195
|
So.
|
Donaldsonville, La.
|
|
RB
|
Jackie Hinton
|
Central Arkansas
|
5-11
|
200
|
So.
|
Houston, Texas
|
|
FB/HB
|
Rico Moss
|
Central Arkansas
|
6-1
|
236
|
Sr.
|
Hope, Ark.
|
|
WR
|
Da'Marcus Griggs
|
Texas State
|
6-1
|
185
|
Sr.
|
Bay City, Texas
|
|
WR
|
Willie Landers
|
Central Arkansas
|
6-2
|
204
|
Sr.
|
El Dorado, Ark.
|
|
TE
|
Simmie Yarborough
|
Southeastern La.
|
6-1
|
205
|
Jr.
|
Brookhaven, Miss.
|
|
OL
|
D.J. Hall
|
Texas State
|
6-3
|
300
|
Jr.
|
Palestine, Texas
|
|
OL
|
Miguel Gauthreaux
|
McNeese State
|
6-1
|
291
|
Jr.
|
Plaquemine, La.
|
|
OL
|
Austin Emerson
|
Central Arkansas
|
6-3
|
292
|
Sr.
|
Sperry, Okla.
|
|
OL
|
Michael Booker
|
Northwestern State
|
6-3
|
314
|
Sr.
|
Paris, Texas
|
|
OL
|
Jonathan Landry
|
McNeese State
|
6-4
|
295
|
So.
|
Lafayette, La.
|
|
PK
|
Eddie Carmona
|
Central Arkansas
|
6-0
|
211
|
Sr.
|
Charleston, Ark.
|
| |
|
First Team Defense
|
|
Pos
|
Name
|
University
|
Ht.
|
Wt.
|
Cl.
|
Hometown
|
|
DL
|
Desmund Lighten
|
McNeese State
|
6-0
|
250
|
Jr.
|
Monroe, La.
|
|
DL
|
Markell Carter
|
Central Arkansas
|
6-4
|
248
|
Sr.
|
Bartlesville, Okla.
|
|
DL
|
Kenneth Charles
|
Stephen F. Austin
|
6-3
|
273
|
Sr.
|
Missouri City, Texas
|
|
DL
|
Sean Warren
|
Stephen F. Austin
|
6-0
|
285
|
Sr.
|
Texas City, Texas
|
|
LB
|
Jabara Williams
|
Stephen F. Austin
|
6-3
|
225
|
Sr.
|
Garrison, Texas
|
|
LB
|
Mark Newbill
|
Southeastern La.
|
6-0
|
215
|
Sr.
|
Monroe, La.
|
|
DB
|
Re'Keem Wilson
|
Southeastern La.
|
6-0
|
175
|
Sr.
|
Franklinton, La.
|
|
DB
|
Malcolm Bronson
|
McNeese State
|
5-11
|
188
|
So.
|
Jasper, Texas
|
|
DB
|
Darrell Jenkins
|
McNeese State
|
5-10
|
205
|
Jr.
|
Bon Weir, Texas
|
|
DB
|
Seth Thomas
|
McNeese State
|
5-9
|
177
|
So.
|
Orange, Texas
|
|
DB
|
Tommy Connors
|
Southeastern La.
|
6-1
|
215
|
Sr.
|
Marrero, La.
|
|
P
|
Patrick Dolan
|
Nicholls
|
6-1
|
180
|
Sr.
|
Mobile, Ala.
|
|
RS
|
Gralyn Crawford
|
Stephen F. Austin
|
5-10
|
180
|
So.
|
Palestine, Texas
|
| |
|
Second Team Offense
|
|
Pos
|
Name
|
University
|
Ht.
|
Wt.
|
Cl.
|
Hometown
|
|
QB
|
Paul Harris
|
Northwestern State
|
6-1
|
190
|
So.
|
Baton Rouge, La.
|
|
RB
|
Zeke Jones
|
Southeastern La.
|
6-0
|
240
|
So.
|
Springfield, La.
|
|
RB
|
Romonté Hampton
|
Stephen F. Austin
|
6-0
|
200
|
So.
|
Tyler, Texas
|
|
FB/HB
|
Gralyn Crawford
|
Stephen F. Austin
|
5-10
|
180
|
So.
|
Palestine, Texas
|
|
WR
|
Daren Dillard
|
Texas State
|
6-1
|
180
|
Jr.
|
Garland, Texas
|
|
WR
|
Chris Royal
|
McNeese State
|
6-0
|
220
|
Sr.
|
Beaumont, Texas
|
|
TE
|
Corday Clark
|
McNeese State
|
6-3
|
235
|
Sr.
|
Baton Rouge, La.
|
|
OL
|
Kevin Hughes
|
Southeastern La.
|
6-4
|
290
|
Sr.
|
New Orleans, La.
|
|
OL
|
Taylor Johnson
|
McNeese State
|
6-4
|
285
|
Jr.
|
League City, Texas
|
|
OL
|
George Bias
|
Stephen F. Austin
|
6-3
|
295
|
So.
|
Houston, Texas
|
|
OL
|
Zach Case
|
Northwestern State
|
6-2
|
290
|
Jr.
|
Morgan City, La.
|
|
OL
|
Brandon Ward
|
Nicholls
|
6-3
|
275
|
Sr.
|
Conroe, Texas
|
|
PK
|
Drew Nelson
|
Stephen F. Austin
|
6-1
|
191
|
Jr.
|
Livingston, Texas
|
| |
|
Second Team Defense
|
|
Pos
|
Name
|
University
|
Ht.
|
Wt.
|
Cl.
|
Hometown
|
|
DL
|
Terrance Freeman
|
McNeese State
|
6-4
|
240
|
Sr.
|
Newton, Texas
|
|
DL
|
Devan Walker
|
Southeastern La.
|
6-3
|
245
|
So.
|
Baton Rouge, La.
|
|
DL
|
Adley Eshraghipour
|
Texas State
|
6-3
|
280
|
Jr.
|
Arlington, Texas
|
|
DL
|
Josh Ellison
|
McNeese State
|
6-3
|
240
|
Sr.
|
Houston, Texas
|
|
LB
|
Geremy Pilate
|
McNeese State
|
6-0
|
220
|
Sr.
|
Crowley, La.
|
|
LB
|
Devin Ducote
|
Stephen F. Austin
|
5-10
|
200
|
Jr.
|
Baton Rouge, La.
|
|
DB
|
Bobby Felder
|
Nicholls
|
6-0
|
195
|
Jr.
|
McComb, Miss.
|
|
DB
|
Andre Banks
|
Stephen F. Austin
|
6-3
|
220
|
Sr.
|
Austin, Texas
|
|
DB
|
Ford Smesny
|
McNeese State
|
5-10
|
200
|
So.
|
Dayton, Texas
|
|
DB
|
Henry Minor
|
Central Arkansas
|
5-10
|
180
|
Sr.
|
Baton Rouge, La.
|
|
DB
|
Marcus Clark
|
Texas State
|
5-10
|
205
|
Sr.
|
Fort Worth, Texas
|
|
P
|
Drew Nelson
|
Stephen F. Austin
|
6-1
|
191
|
Jr.
|
Livingston, Texas
|
|
RS
|
Bradley Brown
|
Northwestern State
|
5-10
|
170
|
So.
|
Baton Rouge, La.
|