Gardner, Herdman Lead Football All-Conference Selections
Humboldt State head coach Rob Smith picked up his second straight Coach of the Year and his sixth as a GNAC head coach.
Wednesday, November 18, 2015 PORTLAND, Ore. – For the second straight season, the Great Northwest Athletic Conference’s top offensive player is one of the most dynamic running backs in the nation. And for the second straight year, the top defensive players comes from north of the border.
Humboldt State sophomore running back Ja’Quan Gardner was the unanimous selection of conference coaches as the GNAC Offensive Player of the Year while Simon Fraser junior linebacker Jordan Herdman was the unanimous repeat selection as the league’s Defensive Player of the Year. The two headline the selections to the 2015 GNAC Football All-Conference Team, released on Nov. 18.
Gardner was the prime mover in Humboldt State’s run to the GNAC championship and the Lumberjacks’ first postseason appearance since 1968. The sophomore finished the regular season leading Division II with 209.1 all-purpose yards per game, 1,996 rushing yards, 199.6 rushing yards per game and 13.8 points per game. He finished with 200-plus yard rushing performances in five games, topped by a 305-yard effort against Azusa Pacific on Oct. 10.
Herdman was the coaches’ selection for Defensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive season. The junior led the GNAC and finished the regular season ranked fifth in Division II with an average of 14.8 tackles per game. He also led the league in tackles for loss and was ranked third in Division II with eight solo tackles per game. Herdman’s season was capped by a 26-tackle performance against Humboldt State on Oct. 31, one short of his own GNAC single game record. He set a conference record with 17 solo tackles in that contest.
The Lumberjacks, the first GNAC squad to appear in the NCAA Division II Playoffs since 2009, claimed 15 spots on the first and second teams and all but two of the conference’s special awards. Sophomore Alex Cappa was the unanimous choice for Offensive Lineman of the Year, winning the award for the second straight season. Senior Dillon Huffman was named the league’s Defensive Lineman of the Year and junior defensive back Chris Hannible was named the Newcomer of the Year.
Cappa led a stellar Humboldt State offensive line that allowed just 0.9 sacks per game, eighth best in Division II, and allowed the offense an average of 493.1 yards per game, sixth best in Division II. Huffman and Hannible anchored a Lumberjacks’ defense that finished 25th in Division II with 8.1 tackles for loss per game and held teams to 17.3 points per game, 13th best in the nation. Hannible led the GNAC with six interceptions and finished sixth in Division II with 0.8 interceptions per game.
Humboldt State’s Rob Smith was named the GNAC Coach of the Year for the second consecutive season. He shared the honors with Azusa Pacific’s Victor Santa Cruz in 2014. Smith has now won six GNAC Coach of the Year honors, four at Humboldt State (2010, 2011, 2014 & 2015) and two at Western Washington (2001 & 2003).
Azusa Pacific running back Kurt Scoby was named the GNAC Freshman of the Year. Scoby finished second to Gardner in the GNAC and ranked 27th in Division II in rushing, averaging 110.3 yards per game. Scoby also finished the season ranked 32nd in Division with a total of 1,108 rushing yards.
This year’s GNAC All-Conference Team features 29 unanimous selections, including all but one player on the defensive first team. Eighteen players are repeat selections to the squad. Repeating as first team selections are Cappa, Herdman, Western Oregon wide receiver Paul Revis, Central Washington kick returner Jesse Zalk and Wildcats’ linebacker Kevin Haynes. Revis and Zalk were named to the first team as both wide receivers and return specialists.
Three players were named to the team for the third consecutive year: Zalk at kick returner, Humboldt State wide receiver Chase Krivashei and Western Oregon linebacker Shane Kuenzi.
2015 GNAC FOOTBALL ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM Offensive Player of the Year: Ja’Quan Gardner, Humboldt State Defensive Player of the Year: Jordan Herdman, Simon Fraser Coach of the Year: Rob Smith, Humboldt State Offensive Lineman of the Year: Alex Cappa, Humboldt State Defensive Lineman of the Year: Dillon Huffman, Humboldt State Freshman of the Year: Kurt Scoby, Azusa Pacific Newcomer of the Year: Chris Hannible, Humboldt State
FIRST TEAM OFFENSE |
Name |
School |
Pos. |
Ht. |
Wt. |
Yr. |
Hometown (Previous School) |
Trent McKinney |
South Dakota Mines |
QB |
6-0 |
198 |
Sr. |
Mililani, Hawaii (Univ. of Montana) |
*# Ja’Quan Gardner |
Humboldt State |
RB |
5-7 |
190 |
So. |
Ceres, Calif. (Central Valley) |
* Kurt Scoby |
Azusa Pacific |
RB |
5-8 |
190 |
Fr. |
Duarte, Calif. (Fresno State Univ.) |
*# Chase Krivashei |
Humboldt State |
WR |
5-9 |
175 |
Jr. |
Corona, Calif. (Centennial) |
* Jesse Zalk |
Central Washington |
WR |
5-8 |
160 |
Jr. |
Battle Ground, Wash. (Prairie) |
+ Paul Revis |
Western Oregon |
WR |
5-9 |
165 |
So. |
Scappoose, Ore. (Scappoose) |
Derek Brown |
Humboldt State |
TE |
6-3 |
250 |
Jr. |
Riverside, Calif. (Univ. of Washington) |
Andy Avgi |
Western Oregon |
TE |
6-6 |
270 |
Jr. |
Woodburn, Ore. (Woodburn) |
*+ Alex Cappa |
Humboldt State |
OL |
6-7 |
285 |
So. |
Dublin, Calif. (Dublin) |
* Sam Cowan |
South Dakota Mines |
OL |
6-5 |
305 |
Sr. |
Ashland, Ore. (Ashland) |
+ Michael Couture |
Simon Fraser |
OL |
6-4 |
276 |
Sr. |
Burnaby, B.C. (Centennial) |
* Paul Flores |
Azusa Pacific |
OL |
6-5 |
315 |
Sr. |
Azusa, Calif. (Gladstone) |
* Lucas Govan |
Humboldt State |
OL |
6-4 |
280 |
Jr. |
Carmel, Calif. (Carmel) |
* Cameron Southward |
Humboldt State |
K |
6-1 |
185 |
Jr. |
Auburn, Calif. (American River JC) |
*+ Jesse Zalk |
Central Washington |
KR |
5-8 |
160 |
Jr. |
Battle Ground, Wash. (Prairie) |
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FIRST TEAM DEFENSE |
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Name |
School |
Pos. |
Ht. |
Wt. |
Yr. |
Hometown (Previous School) |
*@ Dillon Huffman |
Humboldt State |
DL |
6-3 |
300 |
Sr. |
Auburn, Calif. (Bear River) |
* George Swartzlender |
Western Oregon |
DL |
6-1 |
230 |
Jr. |
Burns, Ore. (Burns) |
*# Quinn Horton |
Simon Fraser |
DL |
6-3 |
313 |
Sr. |
Winnipeg, Man. (St. Paul’s) |
# Codey Heidebrecht |
Humboldt State |
DL |
6-3 |
250 |
Sr. |
Pleasanton, Calif. (Amador Valley) |
*+ Jordan Herdman |
Simon Fraser |
LB |
6-2 |
231 |
Jr. |
Winnipeg, Man. (Sturgeon Heights Collegiate) |
*# Shane Kuenzi |
Western Oregon |
LB |
6-1 |
215 |
Sr. |
Salem, Ore. (West Salem) |
*+ Kevin Haynes |
Central Washington |
LB |
6-0 |
235 |
So. |
Battle Ground, Wash. (Battle Ground) |
* Justin Herdman |
Simon Fraser |
LB |
6-1 |
233 |
Jr. |
Winnipeg, Man. (Sturgeon Heights Collegiate) |
* Jonathan Thropay |
Azusa Pacific |
LB |
6-4 |
215 |
Jr. |
Monrovia, Calif. (Charter Oak) |
* Eric Paopao |
Humboldt State |
LB |
6-0 |
215 |
Sr. |
Oceanside, Calif. (El Camino) |
* Chris Hannible |
Humboldt State |
DB |
6-0 |
190 |
Jr. |
Bakersfield, Calif. (Bakersfield JC) |
* Josh Atkinson |
Azusa Pacific |
DB |
6-0 |
193 |
Sr. |
Livermore, Calif. (Univ. of Notre Dame) |
* Myles Carelock |
Central Washington |
DB |
5-11 |
195 |
Sr. |
Fairfield, Calif. (Southern Utah Univ.) |
* Colton Olson |
Dixie State |
DB |
6-2 |
205 |
So. |
Spanish Fork, Utah (Spanish Fork) |
* Martin Rodriguez |
South Dakota Mines |
P |
6-2 |
210 |
Jr. |
Oakland, Calif. (Laney Coll.) |
* Paul Revis |
Western Oregon |
PR |
5-9 |
165 |
So. |
Scappoose, Ore. (Scappoose) |
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SECOND TEAM OFFENSE |
Name |
School |
Pos. |
Ht. |
Wt. |
Yr. |
Hometown (Previous School) |
@ Chad Jeffries |
Azusa Pacific |
QB |
6-2 |
205 |
So. |
San Dimas, Calif. (San Diego St. Univ.) |
DeJon Coleman |
Dixie State |
RB |
5-9 |
190 |
Jr. |
Los Angeles, Calif. (Sacramento St. Univ.) |
Ante Milanovic-Litre |
Simon Fraser |
RB |
6-1 |
223 |
Jr. |
Vancouver, B.C. (Notre Dame) |
* Ethan Zeidler |
Azusa Pacific |
WR |
6-0 |
205 |
Jr. |
Plymouth, Minn. (Wayzata) |
* Justin Buren |
Simon Fraser |
WR |
6-0 |
196 |
So. |
Coquitlam, B.C. (Centennial) |
# Nate Stephens |
Dixie State |
WR |
5-9 |
175 |
Sr. |
Redding, Calif. (Shasta JC) |
Bryson Dizon |
Western Oregon |
OL |
6-4 |
280 |
So. |
Portland, Ore. (David Douglas) |
* James Moore |
Central Washington |
OL |
6-4 |
320 |
Fr. |
Tacoma, Wash. (Bethel) |
Jonathon Rowe |
Humboldt State |
OL |
6-6 |
290 |
Sr. |
Riverside, Calif. (Chaffey) |
Nyles Amelita |
Dixie State |
OL |
6-4 |
300 |
Sr. |
Tustin, Calif. (Foothill) |
Josh Hanson |
Humboldt State |
OL |
6-2 |
285 |
So. |
Eureka, Calif. (Eureka) |
# Sean McDonald |
Central Washington |
K |
6-1 |
158 |
Jr. |
Sammamish, Wash. (Skyline) |
*# Paul Revis |
Western Oregon |
KR |
5-9 |
165 |
So. |
Scappoose, Ore. (Scappoose) |
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SECOND TEAM DEFENSE |
Name |
School |
Pos. |
Ht. |
Wt. |
Yr. |
Hometown (Previous School) |
Billy Tanuvasa |
Azusa Pacific |
DL |
6-1 |
295 |
Jr. |
Corona, Calif. (Univ. of Nevada Las Vegas) |
Carson Kass |
Central Washington |
DL |
6-1 |
270 |
Sr. |
Naches, Wash. (Univ. of Wyoming) |
David Jakpor |
South Dakota Mines |
DL |
5-11 |
230 |
Jr. |
Phoenix, Ariz. (Mountain Point) |
Jeremy Moore |
Western Oregon |
DL |
6-1 |
300 |
Jr. |
Tigard, Ore. (Tigard) |
Taylor Mitchell |
Humboldt State |
LB |
6-1 |
225 |
Sr. |
North Bend, Wash. (Mt. Si) |
# Cameron Buell |
Humboldt State |
LB |
6-3 |
250 |
Jr. |
Citrus Heights, Calif. (Casa Roble) |
@ Tyler Johnson |
Western Oregon |
LB |
6-1 |
230 |
So. |
Eugene, Ore. (Willamette) |
Nick Sharpe |
Humboldt State |
DB |
6-1 |
206 |
Sr. |
Poway, Calif. (Fort Lewis Coll.) |
Roger Garrett |
Western Oregon |
DB |
6-1 |
205 |
Sr. |
Seattle, Wash. (Franklin) |
Breeon Moreno |
Western Oregon |
DB |
5-11 |
190 |
Sr. |
Clarksville, Tenn. (East Los Angeles JC) |
Taliuaki Suliafu |
Azusa Pacific |
DB |
6-0 |
185 |
So. |
Moreno Valley, Calif. (Moreno Valley) |
Alexander Bradt |
Western Oregon |
P |
6-1 |
210 |
Sr. |
Salem, Ore. (West Salem) |
John Kuhn |
Central Washington |
P |
5-11 |
222 |
So. |
Mercer Island, Wash. (Mercer Island) |
Tarik Myles |
Azusa Pacific |
PR |
5-6 |
150 |
Jr. |
Fontana, Calif. (Summit) |
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HONORABLE MENTION |
Name |
School |
Pos. |
Ht. |
Wt. |
Yr. |
Hometown (Previous School) |
Jaylen Crutchfield |
Azusa Pacific |
OL |
6-2 |
333 |
Sr. |
Perris, Calif. (Patriot) |
Talaiasi Taueli |
Azusa Pacific |
DE |
6-1 |
275 |
Sr. |
Mesa, Ariz. (Mesa) |
Grant Widmer |
Azusa Pacific |
TE |
6-2 |
233 |
Sr. |
Lathrop, Calif. (Sierra) |
Anthony Beaver |
Central Washington |
DB |
6-0 |
181 |
Sr. |
San Francisco, Calif. (Contra Costa JC) |
@ Mitch Haldane |
Central Washington |
LB |
6-0 |
219 |
Sr. |
Mountlake Terrace, Wash. (Mountlake Terrace) |
Kyle Self |
Central Washington |
TE |
6-4 |
225 |
So. |
Vaughn, Wash. (Peninsula) |
Keanu Foki |
Dixie State |
DL |
6-1 |
255 |
Jr. |
Honolulu, Hawaii (Snow Coll.) |
@ Robert Metz |
Dixie State |
LB |
6-4 |
235 |
Sr. |
Tucson, Ariz. (Canyon Del Oro) |
Jonathon Bajet |
Humboldt State |
OL |
6-2 |
275 |
Sr. |
Chula Vista, Calif. (Otay Ranch) |
Drew Dubois |
Humboldt State |
LB |
6-1 |
215 |
Jr. |
Broward County, Fla. (Feather River JC) |
Marquise Deadwiler |
Humboldt State |
WR |
5-11 |
185 |
Sr. |
San Diego, Calif. (Southwestern Coll.) |
Devin Nixon |
South Dakota Mines |
RB |
5-11 |
190 |
Fr. |
Savannah, Ga. (Groves) |
Josh Thomas |
South Dakota Mines |
DB |
5-8 |
165 |
Sr. |
Missouri City, Texas (Hightower) |
John Tyler |
South Dakota Mines |
DB |
5-9 |
190 |
Sr. |
Tampa, Fla. (Wharton) |
Jonathan Breland |
Western Oregon |
LB |
6-2 |
235 |
Sr. |
Berkeley, Calif. (Merced JC) |
Joe Harris |
Western Oregon |
RB |
6-0 |
185 |
Sr. |
Coquille, Ore. (Coquille) |
Daniel Thomas |
Western Oregon |
WR |
5-9 |
190 |
Sr. |
Roseville, Calif. (American River JC) |
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* - Unanimous Selection |
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+ - First Team Selection In 2014 |
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# - Second Team Selection In 2014 |
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@ - Honorable Mention in 2014 |
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$ - First Team Selection in 2013 |
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-
Saturday, November 21, 2015
Record Performance Leads 'Jacks To Playoff Victory
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Thursday, November 19, 2015
We're Back! GNAC Football Returns To The Playoffs
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Wednesday, November 18, 2015
Gardner, Herdman Lead Football All-Conference Selections
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Sunday, November 15, 2015
Humboldt State Brings GNAC Back To Football Playoffs
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Tuesday, November 10, 2015
Plenty To Play For In Final Week Of Football Season
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Tuesday, November 10, 2015
Dixie State Football Coach Scott Brumfield Resigns
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Friday, November 6, 2015
Krivashei, Mitchell Earn Academic All-Dist. Football Honors
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Tuesday, November 3, 2015
Lumberjacks, Wolves Stake Spots In Regional Rankings
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