Tuesday, July 12, 2005

Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) � Ten players from the Pioneer Football League are among the 28 named to The Sports Network�s 2005 I-AA Mid-Major Preseason All-America team (complete team listing). Northeastern Conference champion Monmouth led all teams with four players named to the All-America squad, while defending MAAC champion Duquesne and Robert Morris each placed three players on the team.

The All-America backfield consists of Monmouth quarterback Brian Boland (1643 yards, 12 TD) and running backs Sean Mayers (1546 yards, 8 TD) of St. Peters, Scott Phaydavong (1539 yards, 9 TD) of Drake, Ed Pricolo (1339 yards, 14 TD) of Sacred Heart and Evan Harney (1334 yards, 18 TD) of San Diego.

At wide receiver are Monmouth�s Miles Austin (47 receptions, 859 yards, 9 TD) and Wagner�s Chris Turner (61 receptions, 845 yards, 8 TD). Drake tight end James Mickley (34 receptions, 462 yards, 3 TD), rounds out the trio of pass-catchers.

The offensive line consists of Monmouth�s John Castoro, Morehead State�s Justin Farrar, Austin Peay�s Adam Rector, Marist�s Steve Van Soest, and Dayton�s Ryan Winner.

On the All-America defensive line, Duquesne�s Josh Antinopolous (63 TT, 7.5 sacks) made the team after making the last two postseason All-America squads. Robert Morris� Jason Forest (65 TT, 5 sacks) also made the 2004 All-America team. Central Connecticut State�s Devon Douglass (38 tackles, 5 sacks) and Austin Peay�s Steven Young (51 tackles, 4 sacks) fill out the All-America defensive line.

Duquesne�s Harry Carter (105 TT, 12 TFL) and Robert Morris� James Noel (115 TT, 12 TFL, 5 sacks) were both named to the 2004 All-America team. Albany�s Colin Disch (131 tackles, 15 TFL, 5 sacks) and Dayton�s Jon Hoppe (57 tackles) join Carter and Noel at linebacker.

Monmouth�s Nick Castellano (81 tackles), Wagner�s Terek Henderson (32 tackles, 5 INT), Duquesne�s Kyle Postell (47 tackles, 2 INT) and Valparaiso�s Brad Smeja (79 tackles) make up the All-America secondary.

The All-America special teams include Robert Morris placekicker Nathan DiLorenzo (13/16 FG) and Jacksonville punter Ryan Feely (40.9 avg). Sacred Heart return specialist James Wright (31.2 KR avg., 1 TD) also made the squad.

Thirteen players were selected to the team from the Northeast Conference, while five were named from the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference.

The 22 programs of the MAAC, Northeast Conference and Pioneer Football League, which play at a non-scholarship or limited scholarship level, make up the I-AA Mid-Major ranks. In addition to the Preseason All-America team, The Sports Network also sponsors the Top 10 ranking for the Mid-Major teams. The No. 1 team at the end of the regular season on Nov. 21 will be honored with The Sports Network Cup as the Mid-Major champion at the TSN I-AA Awards Ceremony in Chattanooga, TN on Dec. 15.