Six First-Teamers Highlight All-MWL Lists

The William Penn Statesmen Football team ended their season in the snow.

Oskaloosa–The William Penn football team capped off its 2014 season with a load of postseason honorees as the 2014 all-Midwest League teams were announced today.

A total of 14 Statesmen earned recognition, including six on the first team, five on the second squad, and three on the honorable-mention list. Eight players garnered their first-ever laurels. It is the second-straight season in which WPU has had 14 award-winners.

Grand View quarterback Derek Fulton was named Midwest League Offensive Player of the Year, while Saint Xavier lineman Greg Hayward was MWL Defensive POY. Mike Woodley of Grand View earned Coach of the Year laurels, while Mark Yanule (Offensive Coordinator) of Saint Xavier claimed Assistant Coach of the Year honors.

William Penn, which was 7-4 this year (3-2 MWL), was paced by five first-teamers on the offensive side and one on defense.

First Team

Running back Sam Tvedt (Sr., Oskaloosa, Iowa, Business Management) earned his first first-team nod (second overall), pacing the Statesmen ground attack with 779 rushing yards and five touchdowns. Fullback Michael Thomas (Sr., Visalia, Calif., Undecided) grabbed his first accolade with 724 rushing yards and a team-best eight TDs.

Wide receiver Jatavius Stewart (Jr., Rock Hill, S.C., Biology) became a major weapon in the passing game, hauling in 13 catches for 337 yards and six scores. It is his first award.

The three specialty players would not have had such special campaigns, however, had it not been for a terrific offensive line, headlined by left tackle Jake Adams (Sr., Park City, Utah, Psychology) and center Hea Tuifua (Jr., Salt Lake City, Utah, Undecided). The pair helped WPU rank second nationally with 335.9 rushing yards per game (402.5 total). Adams’ honor is his third, but it is his first time on the first squad, while Tuifua is also a first-time first-teamer (second overall accolade).

Defensive tackle Hunter Barry (So., Morris, Ill., Physical Education) was a force on the opposite side of the trenches, garnering his first honor. He tallied 49 tackles (32 solos, 17 assists), including eight for loss. He sacked opposing quarterbacks twice and also forced one fumble.

Second Team

J.T. Dotson (Jr., Jenks, Okla., Business Management), who grabbed his first laurel, joined Adams and Tuifua as important cogs on the offensive line.

Outside linebacker Isaac Samek (Jr., Bolivar, Mo., Industrial Technology) (second honor, first second-team) and Kevin Shrauger (Jr., Nixa, Mo., Physical Education) (first award) guided the defense in tackles. Samek, who earned one MWL Defensive Player of the Week nod, was the leading stopper far and away with 94 (46 solos, 48 assists, 4.5 for loss). He had three interceptions, one pass breakup, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery as well.

Shrauger managed 59 tackles (32 solos, 27 assists, 0.5 TFL) along with two interceptions, two pass breakups, and one forced fumble. Both players scored a defensive TD in 2014.

Free safety Deshon Conley (Sr., Chicago, Ill., Physical Education) and cornerback Freddy Griggs (Sr., Tallahassee, Fla., Business Management) topped the defensive secondary. Conley, a one-time MWL Defensive POW, intercepted a team-high four passes and contributed 43 tackles (18 solos, 25 assists, 1.5 TFL) with eight pass breakups and two fumble recoveries.

Griggs finished with 45 tackles (29 solos, 16 assists, 2.5 for loss), two interceptions, five pass breakups, a team-high three fumble recoveries, and one forced fumble.

Both players are first-time winners of postseason awards and each scored a defensive touchdown this fall.

Honorable Mention

Fullback Evan Ressler (Sr., Cascade, Iowa, Biology) battled through injuries to again nab an honor (third overall, first honorable mention). The one-time MWL Offensive POW rushed for 605 yards and six scores.

Middle linebacker Scott Adams (Sr., Park City, Utah, Sociology) also collected his third award (second honorable mention) by posting 40 tackles (19 solos, 21 assists, 3.5 for loss) with two sacks and two pass breakups.

Clayton Temaat (Jr., Alba, Mo., Industrial Technology) garnered the first laurel of his career, stopping ball carriers 37 times (19 solos, 18 assists, team-best 8.5 for loss). His three sacks were also a team best, while he had a blocked kick as well.

For a complete list of the all-MWL teams, go to http://www.statesmenathletics.com/d/2014-15/All-MSFA_2014.pdf