Panthers sweep SLIAC player of the year awards
Nov. 24, 2008
The St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference office today announced the 2008 football All-SLIAC team. LaGrange swept all three Player of the Year awards, as well as the Coach of the Year award. The Panthers placed 20 players on the team; nine receiving first team honors.
  Junior running back Mario Wallace is the Offensive Player of the Year. Wallace set numerous team records this season and led the conference in rushing, all-purpose yards, scoring and touchdowns. He rushed for 1,020 yards, had 1,839 all-purpose yards and scored 15 touchdowns. Wallace made the first team as a running and as a return specialist.
Junior linebacker Richard Okpani is the Defensive Player of the Year. Okpani led a defense that led the SLIAC in total defense, pass defense and sacks. He tied for the team lead with 53 total tackles and had a team-best 11.5 tackles for loss. Okpani forced a team-high three
fumbles and recovered a fumble.
Sophomore Josh Stripling is the Special Teams Player of the Year. Stripling led the SLIAC kickers in scoring with 70 points, averaging 6.4 per game. He also led the conference in field goals with nine, averaging 0.82 points per game. He was also third in punting, averaging 36.2 yards per punt. Stripling was named the SLIAC Special Teams Player of the Week three times this season.
Head coach Todd Mooney was selected as the 2008 SLIAC Coach of the Year. Mooney guided the Panthers in the regular season to a perfect 7-0 SLIAC record and 9-1 overall. The Panthers also earned their first ever bid to the NCAA Division III Football Championship playoffs.
First Team
Justin Joyner, OL, SR, Carrollton, Ga.
Jon Milner, OL, SO, Hochston, Ga.
Mario Wallace, RB, Return Specialist, JR, Decatur, Ga.
Stephen Tuck, WR, SO, Albany, Ga.
Drew McAdams, DL, SO, Carnesville, Ga.
Alex Sapp, DL, JR, Cumming, Ga.
Richard Okpani, LB, JR, Lithia Springs, Ga.
Jeremy Pickens, DB, JR, Deltona, Fla.
Josh Stripling, K, SO, Newnan, Ga.
   
 
Second Team
Matt Hyde, OL, JR, Monticello, Ga.
Nick Langley, WR, JR, Stockbridge, Ga.
Josh Britt, LB, JR, Canton, Ga.
Tim Hill, DB, SO, Jacksonville, Fla.
Nate Masters, DB, SR, Macon, Ga.
Josh Stripling, P, SO, Newnan, Ga.
    
Honorable Mention
Drew Carter, QB, SO, Dalton, Ga.
Colt Shope, RB,WR, JR, Easley, S.C.
Tripp Duke, TE, JR, Griffin, Ga.
George Okpani, DL, SO, Lithia Spring, Ga.
Justin Strickland, LB, JR, Pine Mountain, Ga.
    
|
