Sam Houston State's Tim Flanders Named Southland Player of the Year

11/22/2011 7:34:00 PM

FRISCO, Texas - After going a perfect 11-0 during the regular season, Sam Houston State claimed four of the six individual football awards in Southland Conference on Tuesday, headlined by running back Tim Flanders, who was named the conference player of the year. The league also announced its all-conference teams.

Bearkat wide receiver Richard Sincere was named the league offensive player of the year; safety Darnell Taylor was named the defensive player of the year; and head coach Willie Fritz was named the Southland coach of the year. Additionally, Southeastern Louisiana running back Jordan Wells was named the league freshman of the year, while Stephen F. Austin defensive end Willie Jefferson was named the conference newcomer of the year.

Flanders, a candidate for the Walter Payton Award, set conference records with 22 touchdowns and 132 points this season. His 20 rushing touchdowns tied former Bearkat Luther Turner, who ran for 20 scores in 1987. The sophomore from Midwest City, Okla., is averaging 103.0 rushing yards per game after running for 100 yards or more six times this season and 13 times in his career. His 1,094 rushing yards this season is a school record by a sophomore and is the fourth-best single-season total in school history. Flanders became the ninth Bearkat to total more than 2,000 career rushing yards, entering the NCAA Division I playoffs with 2,043 yards in two seasons. He also leads the Bearkats in receiving, totaling 404 yards and two touchdowns on 27 receptions. Flanders, who is averaging 139.7 all-purpose yards per game, is the fourth Bearkat to be named the Southland player of the year, joining Chris Chaloupka (1999), Josh McCown (2001) and Dustin Long (2004).

Sincere, a wide receiver who also lines up behind center in the "Wild Bearkat" formation, finished second on the team, behind Flanders, in rushing with an average of 66.5 yards per game. That is the third best average in the conference this season. He has scored nine touchdowns and totaled 732 yards on 93 carries. He ran for 100 yards or more four times this season. During conference play, the sophomore from Galveston, Texas, averaged 82.4 yards per game and 9.6 yards per carry. Sincere added two receiving touchdowns and caught 21 passes for 394 yards, averaging 102.4 all-purpose yards per game. He is the third Bearkat to be named the offensive player of the year, joining Chaloupka (1999) and D.D. Terry (2006).

The Flanders-Sincere tandem has helped Sam Houston average 250.09 rushing yards per game, which is the seventh best total in the Football Championship Subdivision. The Bearkats rank second in the FCS in scoring offense, putting up 39.45 points per game.

Taylor captains a Sam Houston defense that paces the nation against the run, limiting opponents to only 59.0 rushing yards per game. It also has the nation's top scoring defense, allowing only 12.64 points per game. Taylor, a junior from Mesquite, Texas, leads the Bearkats with 89 tackles and has six tackles for loss and three sacks. He also has forced three fumbles and has one interception. The Bearkats have created 34 turnovers this year, including 19 interceptions and 15 fumbles and have turned them into 117 points. Taylor is just the second player in school history to earn defensive player of the year honors, joining Keith Davis (2000).

In just his second year in Huntsville, Fritz has led the Bearkats to a perfect 11-0 regular-season record, a No. 1 ranking in the polls and the top national seed in the NCAA Division I championship, which begins Saturday. Sam Houston, which was 7-0 in conference games, has a first-round bye and will host its first playoff game in the second round against either Stony Brook or Albany. Among the wins was a victory over New Mexico, a member of the Football Bowl Subdivision's Mountain West Conference. The Bearkats are the only undefeated team in the FCS and join LSU and Houston as the only unbeaten teams in Division I. Sam Houston is riding a 13-game win streak into the playoffs, which is the longest streak in the nation. Fritz is a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Award, which honors the national coach of the year. Fritz, who is 17-5 in two seasons at Sam Houston, is the second Bearkat coach to earn coach of the year honors. He joins Ron Randleman, who earned the award in 1991 and 2001.

Wells becomes the second Southeastern Louisiana player to be named conference freshman of the year after setting the Southland's kick return season record. Simmie Yarborough won the award in 2008. The running back from Round Rock, Texas, returned 52 kickoffs for 1,383 yards this season to break the record of 1,055 yards set by Texas State's Karrington Bush in 2008. His 26.6 yards per return ranks 15th in the FCS, but ranks third among freshmen. Against Central Arkansas in October, Wells totaled 265 yards on nine kickoff returns that also included a 91-yard return. Wells is a finalist for the inaugural Jerry Rice Award, which will be presented to the top freshman in the FCS.

Jefferson is the third player from Stephen F. Austin to be named the newcomer of the year, joining Duane Brooks in 2008 and Andre Banks in 2009 to give the Lumberjacks the conference newcomer of the year three of the last four seasons. A transfer from Baylor, the junior from Beaumont, Texas, led the conference with 16 sacks totaling 112 yards. He also made 28 tackles, two interceptions, forced a fumble and recovered another. He recorded 12 sacks in his last four games and tied the conference record with five quarterback sacks against McNeese State in October. The Lumberjacks lead the FCS in sacks with 4.36 per game and tackles for loss with 10.18 per game.

Sam Houston State led all conference teams with eight first-team all-conference selections and a total of 15 student-athletes on the two all-conference squads. Flanders was a first-team running back, while Sincere earned first-team honors at the halfback/fullback position. Taylor was a first-team selection on the defensive line. They were joined on the first team Travis Watson and Chris Crockett, who received the most votes among offensive linemen; defensive lineman J.T. Cleveland; linebacker Will Henry; and defensive back Kenneth Jenkins. The Bearkats' seven second-team honorees are quarterback Brian Bell, offensive lineman Kaleb Hopson, defensive linemen Andrew Weaver and Gary Lorance, defensive backs Dax Swanson and Bookie Sneed and punter Matt Foster.

Nine student-athletes from Central Arkansas were named to the all-conference teams, including four first-team selections: quarterback Nathan Dick, offensive lineman Dominique Allen, defensive lineman Jermayne Lett and linebacker Seth Allison. Among the Bears' five second-team all-conference selections are running back Jackie Hinton, receiver Jessie Grandy, offensive lineman Logan Roubique, kicker Eddie Camara and defensive back Jestin Love.

Stephen F. Austin placed seven student-athletes on the all-conference team, including first-team selections Cordell Roberson at wide receiver, George Bias on the offensive line and Jefferson on the defensive line. Northwestern State had six all-conference selections, including tight end Justin Aldredge and kicker John Shaughnessy, who each earned first-team honors. McNeese State and Nicholls State each had five all-conference picks. All five Cowboys earned first-team honors, including running back Andre Anderson, offensive lineman Alec Savoie, defensive lineman Desmund Lighten and defensive backs Malcolm Bronson and Darrell Jenkins. Among the Colonels' picks were first-team honorees Bobby Felder at defensive back, Cory Kemps at punter and Chika Madu as the return specialist.

Southeastern Louisiana had three players earn all-conference honors, including Yarborough as the first-team wide receiver. Playing its first season in the Southland since 1986, Lamar had two second-team all-conference selections.

There are 20 student-athletes who have been named to the all-conference teams previously, including Yarborough, Lighten, Bronson and Darrell Jenkins, who are earning kudos for the third time in their careers. A total of 49 student-athletes earned honorable mention all-conference honors. To receive honorable mention, a player must receive votes from at least 25 percent of all voters.

The all-conference teams are comprised of 13 first-team and second-team members. Each coach nominates players from his own team. The teams are selected by vote of the league's head coaches and sports information directors, who cannot vote for their own players.

2011 Southland Conference Individual Superlatives
Player of the Year: Tim Flanders, Sam Houston State
Offensive Player of the Year: Richard Sincere, Sam Houston State
Defensive Player of the Year: Darnell Taylor, Sam Houston State
Freshman of the Year: Jordan Wells, Southeastern Louisiana
Newcomer of the Year: Willie Jefferson, Stephen F. Austin
Coach of the Year: Willie Fritz, Sam Houston State

2011 All-Southland Conference Football Teams

First-Team Offense
Pos.	Name	University	Ht.	Wt.	Cl.	Hometown
QB	Nathan Dick²	Central Arkansas	6-4	222	Sr.	Allen, Texas
RB	Tim Flanders²	Sam Houston State	5-9	210	So.	Midwest City, Okla.
RB	Andre Anderson²	McNeese State	5-9	195	Sr.	Barrington, Ill.
HB	Richard Sincere	Sam Houston State	5-10	180	So.	Galveston, Texas
WR	Cordell Roberson²	Stephen F. Austin	6-3	200	Jr.	Jefferson, Texas
WR	Simmie Yarborough³	Southeastern La.	6-1	215	Sr.	Brookhaven, Miss.
TE	Justin Aldredge²	Northwestern State	6-1	230	Sr.	Ruston, La.
OL	Travis Watson²	Sam Houston State	6-3	290	Sr.	Norman, Okla.
OL	Chris Crockett	Sam Houston State	6-3	285	Sr.	Converse, Texas
OL	Dominique Allen	Central Arkansas	6-3	288	So.	Houston, Texas
OL	George Bias²	Stephen F. Austin	6-3	305	Sr.	Houston, Texas
OL	Alec Savoie	McNeese State	6-7	322	Jr.	Lafayette, La.
PK	John Shaughnessy	Northwestern State	5-11	181	Jr.	Shreveport, La.

First-Team Defense
Pos.	Name	University	Ht.	Wt.	Cl.	Hometown
DL	J.T. Cleveland²	Sam Houston State	6-0	290	Jr.	Baytown, Texas
DL	Desmund Lighten³	McNeese State	6-0	255	Sr.	Monroe, La.
DL	Jermayne Lett	Central Arkansas	6-2	249	Sr.	Gautier, Miss.
DL	Willie Jefferson	Stephen F. Austin	6-6	230	So.	Beaumont, Texas
LB	Will Henry²	Sam Houston State	5-10	215	Sr.	Waco, Texas
LB	Seth Allison	Central Arkansas	5-11	198	Jr.	Stuttgart, Ark.
DB	Darnell Taylor	Sam Houston State	6-0	195	Jr.	Mesquite, Texas
DB	Malcolm Bronson³	McNeese State	5-11	192	Jr.	Jasper, Texas
DB	Bobby Felder²	Nicholls State	6-1	200	Sr.	McComb, Miss.
DB	Kenneth Jenkins²	Sam Houston State	5-10	195	Jr.	Galveston, Texas
DB	Darrell Jenkins³	McNeese State	5-10	205	Sr.	Bon Weir, Texas
P	Cory Kemps	Nicholls State	6-2	245	Jr.	Carmel, Ind.
RS	Chika Madu	Nicholls State	5-8	170	Sr.	Norman, Okla.

Second-Team Offense
Pos.	Name	University	Ht.	Wt.	Cl.	Hometown
QB	Brian Bell	Sam Houston State	6-2	175	So.	China Spring, Texas
RB	Jackie Hinton	Central Arkansas	5-10	203	Jr.	Houston Texas
RB	Marcus Washington	Nicholls State	6-0	210	So.	Lillian, Ala.
HB	Gralyn Crawford²	Stephen F. Austin	5-11	175	Jr.	Palestine, Texas
WR	J.J. Hayes	Lamar	6-3	210	Sr.	Diboll, Texas
WR	Jessie Grandy	Central Arkansas	5-11	167	Jr.	Pine Bluff, Ark.
TE	Nick Scelfo	Nicholls State	6-3	245	Fr.	Baton Rouge, La.
OL	Josh Penton	Southeastern La.	6-3	280	Sr.	Splendora, Texas
OL	Kaleb Hopson	Sam Houston State	6-6	300	Jr.	Early, Texas
OL	Larry Calcote	Northwestern State	6-4	284	Jr.	Natchez, Miss.
OL	Logan Roubique	Central Arkansas	6-2	281	Sr.	Port Allen, La.
OL	Anthony Oden	Lamar	6-8	305	So.	Indianapolis, Ind.
PK	Eddie Camara	Central Arkansas	5-9	172	Fr.	Cedar Hill, Texas

Second-Team Defense
Pos.	Name	University	Ht.	Wt.	Cl.	Hometown
DL	Andrew Weaver	Sam Houston State	6-1	240	Jr.	Waco, Texas
DL	Ricky Issac	Northwestern State	6-4	221	Sr.	Cypress, Texas
DL	Gary Lorance	Sam Houston State	6-0	290	So.	New Boston, Texas
DL	Malcolm Mattox	Stephen F. Austin	6-1	255	So.	Newton, Texas
LB	Derek Rose²	Northwestern State	5-11	229	Jr.	New Orleans, La.
LB	Ryan Epperson	Stephen F. Austin	6-0	225	Jr.	Chandler, Texas
DB	Dax Swanson	Sam Houston State	5-11	185	Jr.	Waco, Texas
DB	Jamaal White²	Northwestern State	6-0	192	Jr.	Garland, Texas
DB	Robert Alford	Southeastern La.	6-0	180	Jr.	Hammond, La.
DB	Bookie Sneed	Sam Houston State	6-0	180	So.	Conroe, Texas
DB	Jestin Love²	Central Arkansas	6-0	204	So.	West Memphis, Ark.
P	Matt Foster	Sam Houston State	6-6	195	Jr.	Melbourne, Australia
RS	Gralyn Crawford²	Stephen F. Austin	5-11	175	Jr.	Palestine, Texas

² indicates two-time all-conference selection;³ indicates three-time all-conference selection.

Honorable Mention:
Quarterback: Brady Attaway, SFA; Brad Henderson, NWLA. Running Back: D.J. Palmer, NWLA; Jeremy Barnes, SFA; Keith Lawson, SFA. Wide Receiver: Dominque Croom, UCA; Brandon Collins, SLU; Marcus Jackson, LU; Darius Carey, MCN; Torrance Williams, SHSU. Offensive Linemen: John Steel, SFA; Jonathan Landry, MCN; Gaston Gabriel, SLU; Austin Wright, SFA; Zach Case, NWLA, Cameron Epple, LU; Arinze Agada, MCN. Kicker: Jordan Wiggs, SFA; Andrew Dolan, NICH. Defensive Linemen: Edet Udoh, NICH; Pat Williams, MCN; Jacob Fincher, SFA; Lesley Deamer, NWLA; Matt Hornbuckle, UCA; Marcus Malbrough, LU. Linebacker: Frank Newsome, UCA; Darius Taylor, SHSU; Asim Hicks, LU; Devin Ducote, SFA; Darby Jackson, LU; Joe Narcisse, MCN; Jordan Piper, NICH; Lamont Simmons, NWLA; Kash David, SHSU. Defensive Back: Josh Aubrey, SFA; Brashard Booker, NWLA; Jordan Aubrey, SFA; Jeremy Lane, NWLA; Derek Choice, SFA; Ben Wells, SFA; Siegan Vergenal, NICH; Cashas Pollard, NWLA; Jerrel McKnight, UCA; Caleb Nelson, SFA. Punter: Drew Nelson, SFA; Kollin Kahler, LU; Matt McCormick, SLU. Return Specialist: Jordan Wells, SLU; Isaiah Jackson, UCA.