Eleven Honored by Heart
Oskaloosa–Five William Penn football players were picked for the top squad as the all-Heart of America Athletic Conference North Division teams were announced Monday.
While the quintet was named to the first team, three others received second-team laurels and three more were selected as honorable mentions. The group guided the Statesmen to a 4-6-1 season (2-3 North).
FIRST TEAM
Ben Sherman (Jr., Troy, Pa., Wellness and Recreation) narrowly missed reaching 1,000 rushing yards in 2019, accumulating a total of 988 on just 156 carries (6.3 avg.). The junior, who only had five negative yards on the campaign, scored seven touchdowns. He tallied four 100-yard games, highlighted by 220 in the final contest of the year against Culver-Stockton. The award is the second of Sherman’s career as he was also an honorable mention last year.
Although he missed the final four games of the campaign due to injury, Resean Coleman (Sr., River Rouge, Mich., Exercise Science) was still picked by the coaches to be on the first team. In seven Saturdays, the senior managed 31 tackles (7.5 for loss), including a team-high 6.5 sacks. He also forced four fumbles, blocked two kicks, and broke up one pass. Coleman had a high of seven tackles twice and recorded 3.5 sacks vs. Missouri Valley.
The four-time honoree (three on the first team), Coleman ends his career as the program’s all-time sacks leader with 27.5.
Senior offensive linemen Haydn Stender (Brigham City, Utah, Business Management & Accounting) and Sione Mafua (Salt Lake City, Utah, Kinesiology) were chosen yet again after guiding the Statesmen to a Heart-best 272.4 rushing yards per game.
The award is the third for Stender (second time on the first team) and the fourth for Mafua (first time on top squad).
Jace Neugebauer (Jr., McArthur, Calif., Business Management) earned his first career accolade after guiding the defense with 77 tackles. He tallied nine stops for loss, produced an interception, finished with three pass breakups, and forced a fumble.
SECOND TEAM
Malik Williams (Sr., College Station, Texas, Industrial Technology) was another huge part of an offensive line which ranked fourth nationally in rushing average.
Kane Brumbaugh (So., Ottumwa, Iowa, Physical Education) represented WPU’s special teams, punting 39 times for a 38.1 average. He stuck 10 tries inside the opponent 20-yard line and recorded a long of 71 yards.
Adrian Aviles (Jr., Chicago, Ill., Biology) served as a highly-capable blocking tight end. Rarely utilized in the passing game, he still pulled in six passes for 46 yards and a touchdown.
All three individuals collected recognition for the first time in their careers.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Jaidin Fletcher (Sr., Upland, Calif., Information Technology) topped WPU’s honorable-mention trio by managing 75 tackles (seven for loss) alongside 2.5 sacks, three fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles, and one pass breakup. He had a pair of games with 11 tackles (high of nine). It is Fletcher’s second career laurel (first team in 2018).
Colton Horak (Fr., Waco, Iowa, Sports Management) had a spectacular freshman year, tallying 54 tackles (four for loss), but more importantly leading the navy and gold with five interceptions. He scored two defensive touchdowns as well tallying five pass breakups.
Archer Charles (So., Guntersville, Ala., Sports Management) finished the fall with 536 rushing yards (58 rushes, 9.2 avg.) and two touchdowns. He produced two 100-yard games and also hauled in one reception for 21 yards.
Heart North Player of the Year honors were given to Austin Cuicchi of Grand View; he was also the North Defensive Player of the Year. Anthony Turner of GVU collected Offensive POY laurels, while Andrew Rowe of Culver-Stockton was tabbed as the Freshman of the Year.
Grand View Head Coach Joe Woodley and Assistant Coach Derek Fulton were both honored by their peers at their respective positions.
