Flanders Repeats as Southland Conference Player of the Year
FRISCO, Texas – After sharing the Southland Conference championship this season, Sam Houston State and Central Arkansas accounted for half of the 58 spots on the two all-conference teams that were announced Tuesday by the conference office.
Sam Houston led all teams with 16 all-conference selections, while Central Arkansas had 13 picks. Each team had 10 first-team honorees, headlined by Bearkats’ running back Timothy Flanders, who was named the Southland Conference Player of the Year for the second consecutive season. Wynrick Smothers, the Bears’ quarterback, was named the conference offensive player of the year while Sam Houston linebacker Darnell Taylor was named the defensive player of the year for the second straight season.
The other individual award winners are Central Arkansas’ Corey Howard, who was named the inaugural offensive lineman of the year; UCA defensive lineman Jonathan Woodard, who was voted the freshman of the year; UCA coach Clint Conque, who was named the league’s coach of the year; and Lamar receiver Kevin Johnson, who was named the league’s newcomer of the year.
Flanders, a finalist for the Walter Payton Award, leads the conference with 1,151 rushing yards on 187 carries for an average of 6.2 yards per carry and 104.6 yards per game. The junior from Midwest City, Okla., has scored 17 touchdowns and leads the Southland in scoring with an average of 9.8 points per game. He also has 10 receptions for 87 yards and a touchdown, accounting for 112.5 all-purpose yards per game, which ranks third in the Southland. In conference play, Flanders averaged 6.7 yards per carry and 119.6 yards per game. Flanders’ third-quarter rushing touchdown at Texas A&M in the regular-season finale was the 52nd rushing touchdown on his career, tying Lamar’s Charles McDaniel (1971-74) for the conference record. Flanders has 55 total touchdowns in his career to rank second behind former Central Arkansas running back Brent Grimes (2006-09) who totaled 59. Flanders, who has topped 100 yards 22 times in his career, ranks No. 5 in the Southland with 3,743 career yards. He is the first Sam Houston player to repeat as the conference player of the year. Only two other players have won the award in consecutive years. Former Texas State running back Claude Mathis earned the award in 1996 and 1997 and former Stephen F. Austin quarterback Jeremy Moses was voted the league’s top player in 2009 and 2010. Other players from Sam Houston to be named player of the year include Chris Chaloupka (1999), Josh McCown (2001) and Dustin Long (2004).
Smothers is the second UCA player to be named the league’s offensive player of the year, joining his current position coach Nathan Brown, who claimed the award in 2007. The junior from Destrehan, La., is completing 67.6 percent of his passes (261 of 386) for 2,852 yards and is a finalist for the Walter Payton Award. Averaging 259.3 passing yards per game, Smothers has thrown 31 touchdowns against nine interceptions and ranks second in the conference with a pass efficiency rating of 151.5. He has added 370 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 97 carries to account for 292.9 total yards of offense per game. He threw for a season-high 358 yards and five touchdowns in a win over Murray State and topped 300 yards two others time with 318 against Sam Houston State and 358 yards in the regular-season finale against Eastern Illinois. He tossed four touchdown passes in each of his last two games, including in the championship-clinching victory over Northwestern State.
Taylor is the fifth player in Southland history to be named the league’s defensive player of the year in back-to-back years and the first since former Central Arkansas defensive end Larry Hart in 2008 and 2009. Taylor has made 79 tackles this season, which ranks 13th in the Southland. The senior from Mesquite, Texas, has made 54 solo stops and has assisted on another 25. He has two tackles for loss (both sacks) for 13 yards and has returned two interceptions 40 yards while breaking up five passes and getting credit for another seven passes defended and one quarterback hurry. He also forced one fumble and recovered another. He recorded 51 tackles in conference games and recorded double-figure tackles totals against Central Arkansas (15), Stephen F. Austin (10) and Texas A&M (12). Taylor is the school’s career leader with 219 solo tackles, moving in front of NAIA All-American Stan Blinka, who had 215. Taylor ranks seventh in total tackles at Sam Houston with 317. The Bearkats rush defense is ranked third nationally, allowing just 76.4 yards per game, and ninth in total defense, giving up only 305.4 yards per game. The Bearkats’ scoring defense is limiting opponents to just 19 points per game, the 14th best total in the FCS.
Howard becomes the first winner of the offensive lineman of the year after garner the most votes among all offensive linemen on the all-conference ballot. Howard, a senior from Wichita Falls, Texas, has played all three positions on an offensive line this season enabling the Bears’ quarterback to throw for 268 yards per game and an offense that averages 132.6 yards rushing. The Bears offense rankes fourth in the Southland in total offense, averaging 400.6 yards and 36.5 points per game, a figure that ranks second in the Southland and 11th nationally. Howard is a four-year starter who has started at least eight games each season.
Conque picked up his second coach of the year honor after leading Central Arkansas to a 9-2 overall record and a share of its first Southland Conference championship with a 6-1 league ledger. Conque previously won the honor in 2008 after guiding the Bears to a conference-best 6-1 record, though the team was ineligible for postseason play and the conference championship in the midst of its transition from Division II. UCA made its first NCAA Division I playoff appearance as an at-large selection last year in only its second year of eligibility and now Conque has the Bears to a return trip as the league’s automatic qualifier into the playoffs by virtue of its 24-20 victory over Sam Houston State in September. Now in his 13th season at UCA, Conque, who is a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Award, boasts a 98-53 overall record, which includes a 46-24 record since joining the Southland in 2007. He has guided the Bears to a 29-13 mark in conference play during that same span. Ten of his 13 teams have finished with a winning record and five have won at least nine games. His 2005 team tied a school record with 11 wins, while his 2008 team won 10 games.
Woodard was tabbed freshman of the year and is only the second UCA player to earn the award in school history, joining Jestin Love, who shared the award in 2010. Woodard, a defensive end from Brentwood, Tenn., finished fourth in the conference with seven sacks and was the only freshman among the conference’s top 20 players in the category. Woodard concluded the regular season tied for seventh in the conference in tackles for loss with 10.5 tackles for losses of 50 yards. The defensive lineman recovered three fumbles on the season. The freshman scored a touchdown against Stephen F. Austin on a 72-yard fumble recovery late in the fourth quarter. Woodard registered three tackles for loss in a Central Arkansas 34-14 victory over Nicholls State.
Johnson earned the newcomer of the year award following a historic year for the Cardinals. The Oklahoma State transfer totaled 13 touchdowns this season, including two kickoff returns for touchdowns while finishing third in the conference in total touchdowns. Johnson, a receiver from Houston, Texas, accounted for four touchdowns in a Lamar win against McMurry to match a Lamar single-game records for touchdowns and points scored. The sophomore scored nearly half the time he caught the ball with 10 touchdowns on 19 receptions with an average of 16.3 yards per reception. His 10 receiving touchdowns equal the second best single-season in Lamar history. Johnson notched a 23.1 yards per kick return average against conference opponents including one touchdown. He finished eighth in the conference with 86.1 purpose yards per game including a rushing touchdown in Lamar’s victory of Prairie View A&M.
Sam Houston State led all conference teams 16 student-athletes on the two all-conference squads. Flanders was a first-team running back, while Howard was a first-team defensive back. They were joined on the first team by tight end T.J. Jones, offensive linemen Kaleb Hopson and Chris Rogers, all-purpose player Richard Sincere, defensive lineman J.T. Cleveland, linebacker Darius Taylor, defensive back Dax Swanson and punter Matt Foster. The Bearkats’ six second-team honorees include quarterback Brian Bell, receiver and kick return specialist Trey Diller, defensive lineman Gary Lorance and defensive backs Kenneth Jenkins and Bookie Sneed. Sam Houston added seven honorable mention selections.
Smothers, Howard and Woodard were joined on the first team by seven other Bears, including receivers Jesse Grandy and Dominique Croom, kicker Eddie Camara, linebacker Seth Allison and Love at defensive back. Grandy also picked up first-team honors as both a kick return and punt return specialist. Three UCA players earned second-team mention, including running back Jackie Hinton, offensive lineman Cole Caruthers and defensive lineman Matt Hornbuckle. Another four players earned honorable mention honors.
McNeese State was third with nine all-conference selections. Offensive lineman Arinze Agada was the lone first-team honoree, but the Cowboys led all Southland teams with eight second-team selections, including running back Marcus Wiltz, receiver and punt return specialist Darius Carey, offensive linemen Alex Savoie and Taylor Johnson, defensive lineman Everett Ellefsen, linebacker Joe Narcisse and defensive back Terence Cahee. The Cowboys had four student-athletes receive honorable mention accolades.
Stephen F. Austin placed seven student-athletes on the all-conference team, including first-team selections running back Gus Johnson, receiver Cordell Roberson, offensive lineman John Steel, defensive linemen Willie Jefferson and Darren Robinson and defensive back Josh Aubrey. Southeastern Louisiana was next with five all-conference selections, including defensive back Robert Alford, a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award, who garnered first-team kudos.
Northwestern State had four players earn all-conference honors, including linebacker Derek Rose, who earned first-team recognition. Nicholls State and Lamar each had two second-team selections to round out the all-conference teams.
There are 26 student-athletes who have been named to the all-conference teams previously, including Flanders, Roberson, Cleveland, Rose, Love, Jenkins and White, who collected all-conference recognition for the third time in their careers. A total of 51 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 29 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.
2012 Southland Conference Individual Superlative Winners
Player of the Year: Timothy Flanders, Sam Houston State
Offensive Player of the Year: Wynrick Smothers, Central Arkansas
Defensive Player of the Year: Darnell Taylor, Sam Houston State
Offensive Lineman of the Year: Corey Howard, Central Arkansas
Freshman of the Year: Jonathan Woodard, Central Arkansas
Newcomer of the Year: Kevin Johnson, Lamar
Coach of the Year: Clint Conque, Central Arkansas
2012 All-Southland Conference Football Teams
| First |
Team Offense |
|
|
|
| Pos. |
Name |
Univ. |
Cl. |
Hometown |
| QB |
Wynrick Smothers |
UCA |
Jr. |
Destrehan, La. |
| RB |
Timothy Flanders |
SHSU |
Jr. |
Midwest City, Okla. |
| RB |
Gus Johnson |
SFA |
So. |
Gilmer, Texas |
| TE/HB |
T.J. Jones |
SHSU |
Sr. |
Tyler, Texas |
| WR |
Cordell Roberson |
SFA |
Sr. |
Jefferson, Texas |
| WR |
Jesse Grandy |
UCA |
Sr. |
Pine Bluff, Ark. |
| WR |
Dominique Croom |
UCA |
Sr. |
Cherokee, Ala. |
| OL |
Corey Howard |
UCA |
Sr. |
Wichita Falls, Texas |
| OL |
Kaleb Hopson |
SHSU |
Sr. |
Early, Texas |
| OL |
John Steel |
SFA |
Sr. |
Boyd, Texas |
| OL |
Arinze Agada |
MSU |
Jr. |
Houston, Texas |
| OL |
Chris Rogers |
SHSU |
Sr. |
Littleton, Colo. |
| AP |
Richard Sincere |
SHSU |
Jr. |
Galveston, Texas |
| PK |
Eddie Camara |
UCA |
So. |
Cedar Hill, Texas |
| |
|
|
|
|
| First |
Team Defense |
|
|
|
| Pos. |
Name |
Univ. |
Cl. |
Hometown |
| DL |
Willie Jefferson |
SFA |
Sr. |
Beaumont, Texas |
| DL |
J.T. Cleveland |
SHSU |
Sr. |
Baytown, Texas |
| DL |
Jonathan Woodard |
UCA |
Fr. |
Brentwood, Tenn. |
| DL |
Darren Robinson |
SFA |
So. |
Dallas, Texas |
| LB |
Darius Taylor |
SHSU |
Sr. |
Mesquite, Texas |
| LB |
Seth Allison |
UCA |
Sr. |
Stuttgart, Ark. |
| LB |
Derek Rose |
NSU |
Sr. |
New Orleans, La. |
| DB |
Darnell Taylor |
SHSU |
Sr. |
Mesquite, Texas |
| DB |
Robert Alford |
SLU |
Sr. |
Hammond, La. |
| DB |
Dax Swanson |
SHSU |
Sr. |
Waco, Texas |
| DB |
Josh Aubrey |
SFA |
Sr. |
Tyler, Texas |
| DB |
Jestin Love |
UCA |
Jr. |
West Memphis, Ark. |
| P |
Matt Foster |
SHSU |
Sr. |
Melbourne, Australia |
| KR |
Jesse Grandy |
UCA |
Sr. |
Pine Bluff, Ark. |
| PR |
Jesse Grandy |
UCA |
Sr. |
Pine Bluff Ark. |
| |
|
|
|
|
| Second |
Team Offense |
|
|
|
| Pos. |
Name |
Univ. |
Cl. |
Hometown |
| QB |
Brian Bell |
SHSU |
Jr. |
China Spring, Texas |
| RB |
Marcus Wiltz |
MSU |
Jr. |
Cecilia, La. |
| RB |
Jackie Hinton |
UCA |
Sr. |
Houston, Texas |
| TE |
Nick Scelfo |
NICH |
So. |
Baton Rouge, La. |
| WR |
Trey Diller |
SHSU |
Sr. |
Spring, Texas |
| WR |
Darius Carey |
MSU |
Sr. |
New Orleans, La. |
| WR |
D.J. Ward |
SFA |
Fr. |
The Woodlands, Texas |
| OL |
Alec Savoie |
MSU |
Sr. |
Lafayette, La. |
| OL |
Gasten Gabriel |
SLU |
Jr. |
Jackson, La. |
| OL |
Taylor Johnson |
MSU |
Sr. |
League City, Texas |
| OL |
Cole Caruthers |
UCA |
So. |
Sugar Land, Texas |
| OL |
Sean Robertson |
LU |
Sr. |
Copperas Cove, Texas |
| AP |
Xavier Roberson |
SLU |
Fr. |
Atlanta, Ga. |
| PK |
John Shaughnessy |
NSU |
Sr. |
Shreveport, La. |
| |
|
|
|
|
| Second |
Team Defense |
|
|
|
| Pos. |
Name |
Univ |
Cl. |
Hometown |
| DL |
Matt Hornbuckle |
UCA |
Jr. |
Colleyville, Texas |
| DL |
Gary Lorance |
SHSU |
Jr. |
Baytown, Texas |
| DL |
Jesse Dickson |
LU |
Jr. |
Houston, Texas |
| DL |
Everett Ellefsen |
MSU |
So. |
Madisonville, La. |
| LB |
Jordan Piper |
NICH |
Sr. |
New Orleans, La. |
| LB |
Devan Walker |
SLU |
Sr. |
Baton Rouge, La. |
| LB |
Joe Narcisse |
MSU |
Sr. |
Vacherie, La. |
| DB |
Terence Cahee |
MSU |
Jr. |
Westlake, La. |
| DB |
Kenneth Jenkins |
SHSU |
Sr. |
Galveston, Texas |
| DB |
Bookie Sneed |
SHSU |
Jr. |
Conroe, Texas |
| DB |
Jamaal White |
NSU |
Sr. |
Garland, Texas |
| DB |
Cortez Paige |
NSU |
Sr. |
Houston, Texas |
| P |
Beau Mothe |
SLU |
Sr. |
New Orleans, La. |
| KR |
Trey Diller |
SHSU |
Sr. |
Spring, Texas |
| PR |
Darius Carey |
MSU |
Sr. |
New Orleans, La. |
2 indicates two-time all-conference selection
3 indicates three-time all-cofnerence selection
Honorable Mention:
Quarterback: Brady Attaway, Stephen F. Austin. Running Back: Marcus Washington, Nicholls State; Keshawn Hill, Sam Houston State. Tight End/H-Back: Mike Brooks, Stephen F. Austin; Jeremy Meyers, Southeastern Louisiana; Corey Simmons, Northwestern State; Chase Dixon, Central Arkansas. Wide Receiver: Kevin Johnson, Lamar; Dezmin Lewis, Central Arkansas; Louis Hollier, Northwestern State; Erik Buchanan, Nicholls State; Tony McCrea, Southeastern Louisiana. Offensive Linemen: Warren Jones, Northwestern State; Austin Wright, Stephen F. Austin; Abasi Salimu, Nicholls State; Donald Jackson, Sam Houston State; Andrew Ratliff, Stephen F. Austin; Riley Smith, Sam Houston State; Jonathan Landry, McNeese State; Carson Chaisson, McNeese State; Ryne Chambers, Stephen F. Austin. Offensive All-Purpose: Phillip Harvey, Northwestern State; Ryan Gambel, Stephen F. Austin. Defensive Linemen: Lesley Deamer, Northwestern State; Pat Williams, McNeese State; Tramaine Lucas, Southeastern Louisiana; Jarrett Brown, Sam Houston State; John Prescott, Lamar; Wade Williams, Northwestern State. Linebacker: Ryan Epperson, Stephen F. Austin; Justin Heard, Central Arkansas; Jermaine Longino, Lamar; Marcus Malbrough, Lamar; Kerry Guidry, Nicholls State; Patrick Black, Northwestern State; Robert Shaw, Sam Houston State; Jesse Beauchamp, Sam Houston State; Collin Garrett, Stephen F. Austin. Defensive Back: Branden Thomas, Lamar; Guy Morgan; McNeese State; Ford Smesny, McNeese State; Chad Allen, Lamar; Caleb Nelson, Stephen F. Austin; Tyler Stoddard, Southeastern Louisiana; Dillon Winfrey, Central Arkansas; Todd Washington, Southeastern Louisiana. Placekicker: Miguel Antonio, Sam Houston State; Jordan Wiggs, Stephen F. Austin. Punter: Cory Kemps, Nicholls State. Kick Return Specialist: Kevin Johnson, Lamar; Phillip Harvey, Northwestern State.