Wednesday, November 20, 2019

PORTLAND, Ore. – In what has been a truly historic season for Western Oregon, it is the Wolves who land at top dogs in claiming five special awards to lead the selections to the 2019 Great Northwest Athletic Conference Football All-Conference Team.

Senior quarterback Ty Currie was selected by coaches as the Offensive Player of the Year while head coach Arne Ferguson was named the Coach of the Year for the first time in his long career. Senior Joseph Gonzales shares the Offensive Lineman of the Year award with Central Washington senior Nicholas Streubel while senior Blayne Burnett was the unanimous selection for Defensive Lineman of the Year. Sophomore offensive lineman Avery Bilensky was also a unanimous selection as the Newcomer of the Year.

Central Washington senior defensive lineman Billy Greer also earned unanimous selection as the Defensive Player of the Year while Simon Fraser defensive back Jerrell Cummings was named the Freshman of the Year.

Currie proved a dynamic two-way threat at quarterback as he led the Wolves to a share of the program’s first-ever GNAC championship. He led the conference and ranked 12th in Division II in total offense, averaging 292.9 yards per game. His 217.9 passing yards per game ranked second in the conference while his 75 rushing yards ranked third. In addition, Currie finished ranked fifth in Division II with 17.12 passing yards per completion, 16th with 190 points responsible for and 26th with a 152.1 pass efficiency rating.

Ferguson completed his 13th season as Western Oregon head coach, and his 30th year overall in Monmouth, by leading the Wolves to a 7-4 overall record and a 5-1 GNAC mark to tie for the conference title with Central Washington. The seven wins are the most for Western Oregon since 2015. Offensively, Ferguson’s Wolves led the GNAC and ranked 17th in Division II in rushing offense with 242.9 yards per game and ranked second in the league in total offense (465.8 yards per game) and scoring (34.1 points per game).

Defensively, Western Oregon led the GNAC in total defense (359.4 yards allowed per game), scoring defense (27.5 points allowed per game) and rushing defense (242.9 yards allowed per game) and was ranked fourth in Division II in punt return defense, allowing 1.11 yards per return.

Gonzales and Bilensky played key roles in a Western Oregon offensive line that played a big role in the Wolves finishing the regular season ranked 18th in Division II in total offense. The line allowed 1.82 sacks per game and was 37th in Division II with 5.18 tackles for loss allowed per game.

Burnett finished with 41 tackles, four tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks while leading the wolves with eight quarterback hurries in earning the Defensive Lineman of the Year honor. He led a WOU defensive line that was second in the GNAC in red zone defense and forced 19 turnovers.

The quintet led 11 Western Oregon first-team selections to the team. Also elected to the first team on offense was sophomore running back Omari Land and junior kick returner Curtis Anderson, who also landed a first-team selection at defensive back. Defensive first-team selections include senior linebacker Nate Proctor, sophomore linebacker Jaylin Parnell, senior defensive back Derek Parnell, sophomore defensive back Joey Sinclair and junior kicker Andrew Gross.

Greer, the Defensive Player of the Year, was a potent force on a solid Central Washington defensive line that led the GNAC in pass defense, sacks and interceptions. Greer finished with 41 tackles, 20 of those solo tackles, with three forced fumbles and five quarterback hurries. He led the GNAC with seven sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss and ranked 49th in Division II with 0.70 sacks per game. Greer anchored a defense that allowed opponents 399 yards per game.

In sharing the Offensive Lineman of the Year award, Streubel provided great coverage to a Central Washington offense that ranked ninth in Division II with 504.7 total offense yards per game and 12th in scoring offense at 41.5 points per game. As a unit, the Wildcats ranked 13th in Division II with one sack allowed per game.

Greer and Streubel were among 11 first-team selections for the Wildcats. Among the other defensive selections are sophomore defensive lineman Isaiah Carbajal, junior linebacker Hamilton Hunt, senior defensive back Tyren Sams and freshman punt returner Tai-John Mizutani. Joining Streubel as offensive selections is junior running back Michael Roots, sophomore wide receiver Tyson Rainwater, junior offensive lineman Will Ortner, sophomore offensive lineman Raymond Schalk and sophomore kicker Patrick Hegarty.

Cummings earned Second Team All-GNAC honors in addition to his Freshman of the Year award. He played in all 10 games for Simon Fraser this season, finishing with 30 tackles, one forced fumble and one interception.

Simon Fraser placed two players on the first team in senior wide receiver Rysen John and junior linebacker Griffin Barrett. Azusa Pacific finished with six first-team selections: junior wide receiver Brandon Jackson, senior tight end Lucas Widmer, senior offensive lineman Joe Murphy, freshman kicker Ramsee Jaridly, sophomore defensive lineman Alex Benter and junior punter Jake Gerardi.

2019 GNAC FOOTBALL ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM
Offensive Player of the Year: Ty Currie, Western Oregon
Defensive Player of the Year: Billy Greer, Central Washington
Coach of the Year: Arne Ferguson, Western Oregon
Offensive Lineman of the Year: Joseph Gonzales, Western Oregon & Nicholas Streubel, Central Washington
Defensive Lineman of the Year: Blayne Burnett, Western Oregon
Freshman of the Year: Jerrell Cummings, Simon Fraser
Newcomer of the Year: Avery Bilensky, Western Oregon

+ - First Team Selection In 2018
# - Second Team Selection In 2018
& - Honorable Mention In 2018
@ - First Team Selection In 2017
$ - Second Team Selection In 2017