Tuesday, December 9, 2014

PORTLAND, Ore. - Running back Terrell Watson of Azusa Pacific, defensive end Alex Markarian of Humboldt State and all-purpose back Isaiah Davis of Central Washington have been selected to the prestigious American Football Coaches Association All-American team.

Since the GNAC was founded in the fall of 2001, Watson, Markarian and Davis are just the ninth, 10th and 11th GNAC players named to the AFCA team.

The AFCA has selected an All-American team since 1945.  What makes the AFCA team so special is that it is the only one chosen exclusively by the coaches.  The AFCA also selects just a first team.

Watson finished the 2014 seaon as the leading rusher in Division II with 2,153 yards and 29 touchdowns.  His yardage total, touchdowns and per game average of 195.7 are all nation-leading marks.

Markarian was the GNAC leader in sacks with 14 and tied for fourth in tackles for loss with 15 1/2. 

Davis ranked 13th in NCAA Division II in punt returns averaging 14.9 yards per return.  He had 29 returns for 431 yards.  His yardage total was just 20 off the GNAC all-time single season record.

He also averaged 26.8 yards on nine kickoff returns and defended 12 passes, intercepting five and breaking up seven.  His interception total tied CWU freshman linebacker Kevin Haynes for the most in the GNAC. 

The three All-Americans were also among 20 GNAC players who were named to the Beyond Sports Super Region III all-star team Monday.

Following is a complete list of the Beyond Sports all-region selections:

Beyond Sports Super Region III

Offense: First Team - Terrell Watson, APU (RB, 6-2, 240, Sr., Oxnard, CA); Paul Revis, WOU (WR, 5-9, 165, Fr., Scappoose, OR). Second Team – Alex Cappa, HSU (OL, 6-7, 294, Fr., Dublin, CA). Honorable Mention – Trent McKinney, SD Mines (QB, 6-0, 185, Jr., Mililani, HI); Nick Ricciardulli, HSU (RB, 5-8, 180, Sr., Poway, CA); Lemar Durant, SFU (WR, 6-2, 231, Sr., Coquitlam, BC); Cody Clay, APU (OT, 6-6, 305, Sr., Fullerton, CA); Michael Couture, SFU (C, 6-4, 276, Jr., Coquitlam, BC).

Defense: First Team - Tovar Sanchez, CWU (DL, 6-4, 230, Jr., Seattle, WA); Jordan Herdman, SFU (LB, 6-2, 231, So., Winnepeg, MB); Isaiah Davis, CWU (CB, 5-10, 185, Jr., Bremerton, WA); Jerry Maluia, HSU (5-11, 210, Sr., Compton, CA); Jesse Zalk, CWU (KR, 5-8, 160, So., Battle Ground, WA). Second Team – Tyler Thornton, APU (S, 5-8, 182, Sr., Bakersfield, CA); Alex Markarian, HSU (DL, 6-4, 275, Sr., Chino  Hills, CA); Kraig Akins, WOU (DL, 6-2, 290, Sr., Springfield, OR); Silas Sarvinski, HSU (DL, 6-1, 265, Sr., Ferndale, CA). Honorable Mention - Jake Miller, DSU (DE, 6-2, 240, Sr., Tremonton, UT); Nick Sharpe, HSU (S, 6-1, 190, Jr., Poway, CA); Chase Krivashei, HSU (PR, 5-9, 175, So., Corona, CA).