DiMarco Leads Crew of 14 All-MWL Selections
William Penn University Athletics
Oskaloosa–A large group represented the Statesmen football team on the postseason honors list as the 2013 all-Midwest League teams were announced Saturday.
St. Ambrose quarterback Eric Williamson was named Midwest League Offensive Player of the Year, while Grand View linebacker Jason Gladfelder was MWL Defensive POY. Mike Woodley of Grand View earned Coach of the Year laurels. GVU’s Jon Pilcher (Offensive Line) claimed Assistant Coach of the Year honors.
William Penn, which was 5-6 this year (3-3 MWL), collected 14 total awards, including one on the first team, ten on the second team, and three on the honorable-mention list.
Defensive end Nick DiMarco (Jr., St. Charles, Mo., Physical Education) was the program’s lone member on the top squad. DiMarco, who ended the regular season ranked second in the NAIA with 26 tackles for loss and third with 13 sacks, was a one-time MWL Defensive Player of the Week.
He concluded the year with 55 tackles (36 solos, 19 assists) in addition to four pass breakups, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and three blocked kicks. DiMarco scored two defensive touchdowns–one on a fumble recovery and one on a blocked field goal.
It is his second honor and first on the first team.
Jacob Batterson (Sr., Eddyville, Iowa, Industrial Technology) highlighted the second-squad honorees by being picked as both a safety and a return specialist. A five-time selection, with this being the first second-team accolades of his career, he was a one-time MWL POW for both Defense and Special Teams this fall.
Defensively, Batterson managed 69 tackles (42 solos, 27 assists–two for loss) in addition to a team-high four interceptions. He also had four pass breakups, three blocked kicks, and one forced fumble.
As a return specialist, he averaged 22.9 yards per kick return (18 attempts), including taking one ball back 85 yards for a score. The senior also returned one punt 22 yards.
Fullbacks Evan Ressler (Jr., Cascade, Iowa, Biology) and Shawn Davis (Sr., Hamersville, Ohio, Physical Education) returned to the second team. For Davis, it is his fourth laurel (all on the second team), while Ressler’s award is his second (also both on the second team).
Ressler paced the offense with 728 rushing yards on 154 carries. He scored three times. Davis finished the year with 134 runs for 578 yards and a squad-high ten TDs.
Neither player would have enjoyed the success they had were it not for a great offensive line in front of them. Three starters were recognized for their efforts in helping WPU rank fourth nationally with 3,019 rushing yards. All three members were named to the second team, including left guard Jake Adams (Jr., Park City, Utah, Psychology), left tackle Travis Blecher (So., Rock Island, Ill., Sociology), and center Hea Tuifua (So., Salt Lake City, Utah, Undecided). Adams is a second-time second-teamer, while Blecher is also honored for the second time, but it is his first on the second squad. Tuifua’s recognition is his first.
Defensive tackle Micheal Welch (Sr., Houston, Texas, Physical Education) picked up his third second-team honor. He recorded 76 stops (36 solos, 40 assists–11.5 for loss) in addition to 5.5 sacks. The senior had one pass breakup and one forced fumble.
Fellow defensive player Brock Peery (Sr., Payson, Utah, Secondary Education) notched his second second-team award. The outside linebacker ended his senior campaign with 63 tackles (27 solos, 36 assists–1.5 for loss) and half a sack. He intercepted two passes and broke up two more attempts.
Punter Marcus Kerrigan (Sr., Cary, Ill., Sociology) tallied career postseason honor #5, including two as a punter. It is his first second-team award in this kicking position. A three-time MWL Special Teams POW, he averaged 37.7 yards over a span of 24 punts, including a long of 66 yards (two others over 50 yards). Three of his tries came to rest inside the opponent 20-yard line.
Middle linebacker Isaac Samek (So., Bolivar, Mo., Industrial Technology) earned his first career laurel after leading the defense with 82 tackles (43 solos, 39 assists–3.5 for loss). He also had three sacks, three interceptions, three pass breakups, and one fumble recovery.
Wide receiver Aaron Broyles (Sr., Escondido, Calif., Physical Education) took home his third honorable mention by topping a receiving crew that was utilized a bit more this fall. The senior caught 27 passes for 219 yards.
Defensive end Jason Johnson (Sr., Geneseo, Ill., Industrial Technology) received his third honor, but his first as a defensive end. The senior tallied 38 tackles (24 solos, 14 assists–ten for loss) and 2.5 sacks. He broke up two passes as well, and also forced and recovered a fumble this season.
