Monday, December 5, 2005

PHILADELPHIA, PA (Sports Network) � Thirteen players from the Pioneer Football League were among the 27 named to The Sports Network�s 2005 I-AA Mid-Major All-America team. Mid-Major champion San Diego and Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference champion Duquesne led the way with four All-Americans each. Nine players from the Northeast Conference made the team, with five from the MAAC. A panel of I-AA media and sports information directors covering the 22 mid-major programs of the MAAC, NEC and Pioneer Leagues selected the team.

The All-America backfield consists of San Diego quarterback Josh Johnson (3256 yards, 36 TD) and running backs Obozua Ehikioya (1017 yards, 17 TD) of Marist, Jeff Horton (1358 yards, 10 TD) of Valparaiso and Scott Phaydavong (1550 yards, 8 TD) of Drake. Johnson finished fifth nationally in total offense, while Phaydavong and Horton finished in the top 10 in rushing yardage. Ehikioya tied for fourth nationally with 17 rushing touchdowns.

At wide receiver are Monmouth�s Miles Austin (49 receptions, 1004 yards, 11 TD) and St. Francis (PA)�s Michael Caputo (92 receptions, 1433 yards, 12 TD). Wagner tight end Joe Kinard (46 receptions, 504 yards, 1 TD) rounds out the trio of pass-catchers.

The offensive line consists of Duquesne�s Matt Bovich, Monmouth�s John Castoro, San Diego�s Jordan Pao Pao and Dayton�s Ross Mroczek and Ryan Winner.

On the All-America defensive line, Duquesne�s Josh Antinopolous (73 TT, 7 sacks) made the team for the third year in a row, and was joined by teammate Antoine Bullock (73 TT, 12 sacks). San Diego�s Erik Bakhtiari (62 TT, 4 sacks) and Robert Morris� Jason Forrest (50 TT, 2 sacks) fill out the line. Forrest is on the team for the second year in a row.

Duquesne�s Harry Carter (87 TT, 10.5 TFL, 5 sacks) is on the All-America team for the third year in a row, while Robert Morris� James Noel (107 TT, 9 TFL, 4.5 sacks) made the All-America linebacking corps for the second straight year. They are joined by Davidson�s Alex Arinsmier (108 TT, 4 TFL, 2 sacks) and Albany�s Colin Disch (112 TT, 15 TFL, 4.5 sacks).

All four players in the I-AA Mid-Major All-America secondary earned their first All-America honor. San Diego�s Philip Bretsch (70 TT, 3 INT), Dayton�s Casey Klaus (54 TT, 6 INT) and Morehead State�s Kwesi Williams (66 TT, 4 INT) represent the PFL, with Al Phillips (49 TT, 5INT) of Wagner also on the team.

For the second year in a row, Jacksonville punter Ryan Feely (42.8 avg) is in the All-America special teams. He is joined by Central Connecticut State placekicker Derek Pearson (11/15 FG) and Morehead State return specialist Nick Feldman (19.0 PR average, 2 TD/25.2 KR average).

All 27 players selected for The Sports Network 2005 I-AA Mid-Major All-America Team are automatically nominated for the I-AA-wide All-America team, to be announced Monday, December 12. 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.