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Football Team Announces Award Winners
Nov. 12, 2007
Erie, Pa. - Mercyhurst football head coach Marty Schaetzle announced the 2007 team award winners. Following a 4-7 campaign in which the Lakers shattered the school record for points in a season, the team handed out awards in nine different categories. Instituted in 2002, the team awards honor football players who excelled on the field and in the classroom and are sponsored by various graduating classes from the past. Senior tight end/punter Brandon Hill received three awards, including being named the team's Most Valuable Player. He was also co-Offensive Player of the Year and was one of three players who received the Team Captain Award. As a tight end, Hill caught 40 passes for 633 yards and four touchdowns. He was also crucial to the run-blocking packages. Hill averaged 36.5 yards per punt before an injury forced him out of that role for the final three games of the season. Hill shared the Offensive Player of the Year award with Richard Stokes. Stokes set the single season record for rushing yards with 1,177 yards on the ground. He had five games in which he finished with at least 150 yards rushing and tied the school record with 13 rushing touchdowns. Junior Zac Wild was named Defensive Player of the Year as well as receiving one of the three Team Captain Awards. Playing on the defensive line, Wild recorded 72 tackles, including 15 for loss and 6.5 sacks. He also had an interception and led the team with six quarterback hurries. The final Team Captain Award went to senior center Gary Smith. Smith was a driving force on the offensive line that sprung Stokes for big gains and helped him break the single season rushing record. He was also crucial in protecting Phillis in the passing game. Junior Theo Hall was named Special Teams Player of the Year. An explosive kick returner, Hall was among the national leaders for kick return average, finishing at 23.7 yards per return. He also blocked two kicks on special teams during the season. Senior quarterback Mitch Phillis was named Outstanding Back. He broke the school record with 57 career touchdown passes and finished 2007 with 2,453 yards passing and 27 touchdown strikes. Matt McCall and Tim Herbener shared the Outstanding Lineman Award. As an offensive lineman, McCall helped to open holes for Stokes and protect Phillis in the passing game. The offensive line was crucial to the team's success on offense. Herbener recorded 87 tackles on the defensive side of the ball, adding 8.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and two interceptions. Fullback Neil Apfelbaum was named Newcomer of the Year. As a blocking back, he carried the ball just one time on the year but had four receiving touchdowns and 103 yards on receptions during the season. Designed to recognize athletes who have shown hard work, dedication, and commitment, the Coach's Award was given to three seniors -- Aaron Parks, Bryan Kelly and Frank Ziegler. Parks recorded 63 tackles, 6.5 for loss, and had four passes defended. Kelly finished with 40 tackles, 7.0 for loss, and tied for second on the team with 1.5 sacks. Ziegler was second among wide receivers with 25 catches for 303 yards. He also scored three touchdowns. Finally, senior Craig Moone was named Outstanding Student-Athlete. As a business major, Moone has excelled in the classroom and on the field. He had 63 tackles this year with a pair of interceptions, returning them a combined 43 yards. He was second on the team with seven passes defended. MERCYHURST FOOTBALL TEAM AWARDS
Team Captain Award - Gary Smith, Brandon Hill, Zac Wild |
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