Mid-Season SoCon Awards

By BJ Bennett
SouthernPigskin.com

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SouthernPigskin.com FCS Writer Josh Buchanan issues his mid-season awards for the Southern Conference.

By Josh Buchanan
SouthernPigskin.com FCS Writer

SouthernPigskin.com FCS Writer Josh Buchanan issues his mid-season awards for the Southern Conference. 

First Team Offense
WR Terrell Hudgins, Elon, Jr.
WR Andre Roberts, The Citadel, Jr.http://www.nmnathletics.com.edgesuite.net/pics24/200/QJ/QJCMKPAVOHDHGAE.20081005005204.jpg
TE Chris Truss, Furman, Jr.
OT Joel Bell, Furman, Sr.
OT Derek Wooten, Wofford, Sr.
OG William Giles, Chattanooga, Sr.
OG Mario Acitelli, Appalachian State, Jr.
C David Menocal, Furman, Sr.
QB Scott Riddle, Elon, Soph.
RB Chris Evans, Samford, Soph.
RB Dane Romero, Wofford, Sr.

First Team Defense
DE Dewitt Jones, The Citadel, Jr.
DE Mitch Clark, Wofford, Jr.
DT Justin Brown, Furman, Jr.
DT Anthony Williams, Appalachian State, Jr.
LB Seth Goldwire, Wofford, Sr.
LB Brandon Williams, Furman, Sr.
LB Pierre Banks, Appalachian State, Sr.
LB Jacque Roman, Appalachian State, Jr.
CB Terrell Wilson, Elon, Soph.
CB William Middleton, Furman, Sr.
S Ty Levie, Samford, Jr.
S Walker White, Elon, Jr.

First Team Specialists
K Andrew Wilcox, Elon, Sr.
P Charlie Edwards, Georgia Southern, Fr.
RS Andre Roberts, The Citadel, Jr.

Second Team Offense
WR Bo Williamson, Elon, Sr.
WR Marquel Pittman, Western Carolina, Soph.
TE Taylor Cornett, The Citadel, Sr.
OT Chris Werden, Elon, Jr.
OT Ben Quick, Wofford, Sr.
OG David Harrison, Elon, Jr.
OG Pat Illig, Wofford, Soph.
C Clay Muirhead, The Citadel, Sr.
QB Armanti Edwards, Appalachian State, Jr.
RB Robert Welton, Appalachian state, Soph.
RB Mike Brown, Furman, Soph.

Second Team Defense
DE John Michael Clay, Samford, Soph.http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/furm/sports/m-footbl/auto_action/2367635.jpeg
DE Neil Brown, Chattanooga, Sr.
DT Terrence Reese, The Citadel, Jr.
DT Jeff Bradley, Western Carolina, Sr.
LB D.J. Smith, Appalachian State, Soph.
LB Joshua Jones, Elon, Fr.
LB Quentin Taylor, Georgia Southern, Sr.
LB Hunter Twitty, Furman, Sr.
CB Cortez Gilbert, Appalachian State, Jr.
CB Ronnie Wiggins, Georgia Southern, Jr.
S Jason Leventis, Wofford, Sr.
S Thomas Twitty, Furman, Sr.

Second Team Specialists
K Patrick Mugan, Wofford, Sr.
P Neil Young, Appalachian State, Sr.
RS Karlos Sullivan, Elon, Jr.

Honorable Mention
QB Jordan Sorrells, Furman, Jr.
WR Donald James, Western Carolina, Sr.
WR Clint Woods, Chattanooga, Jr.
OG Daniel Kilgore, Appalachian State, Soph.
C Jon Weber, Samford, Jr.
DE Dakota Walker, Georgia Southern, Sr.
DE T im Happer, Elon, Sr.
DE Lanston Tanyi, Appalachian State, Fr.
DT B.J. Taylor, Chattanooga , Jr.
LB Brandon Wiggins, Elon, Soph.
LB Joseph Thornton, Chattanooga, Jr.
LB Chris Covington, Georgia Southern, Sr.
LB James Mitchell, Wofford, Sr.
LB Rodney Shepherd, Samford, Sr.
CB Kyle Morton, Samford, Sr.
S Leonard Love, Appalachian State, Sr.
P Brandon Lane, Elon, Sr.

Offensive Player of the Year
QB Scott Riddle, Elon, Soph.
Appalachian State QB Armanti Edwards was given this award in the preseason but has either seen limited time in most games or has struggled to find his stride.  Edwards played great versus The Citadel, but with just one standout game it leaves no clear cut favorite for this spot.  With so many talented offensive players in the league this decision was tough, but Elon’s Scott Riddle is the selection after leading Elon to a 5-1 start.  He also leads the league in passing yards per game (266.5) and total offense (263.3).

Others Considered: WR Terrell Hudgins, Elon, Jr.; QB Jordan Sorrells, Furman, Jr.; QB Armanti Edwards, Appalachian State, Jr.; RB Chris Evans, Samford, Soph.

Co-Defensive Players of the Year
LB Seth Goldwire, Wofford, Sr. and LB Brandon Williams, Furman, Sr.
Another position occupied by an Appalachian State standout in the preseason that has been taken over by another standout, or in this case standouts.  There has been so much competition and unexpected performances that a co-recipient was awarded here with LBs Seth Goldwire of Wofford and Brandon Williams of Furman.  Wofford boasts the #2 rush defense in the league and Goldwire has been a key cog with a team leading 41 tackles, 2 for loss, 1.5 sacks, 2 picks, 6 breakups and a fumble recovery.  He returned one of those interceptions for a touchdown as well.  Williams also has been key in his defense’s good performances early on as an anchor to the #2 total defense in the SoCon.  He has notched 49 tackles, 6.5 for loss, 2 sacks, 2 breakups, and both a forced and recovered fumble.

Others Considered: LB Pierre Banks, Appalachian State, Sr.; LB Jacque Roman, Appalachian State, Jr.; CB Terrell Wilson, Elon, Soph.

Offensive Linemen of the Year
OT Joel Bell, Furman, Sr.
Bell has a NFL body and the strength and footwork to be a future NFL starter and has been one of the top linemen in the FCS over the last two years.  He has been the most dominant in the SoCon thus far but has stiff competition at this point and will need to turn it up a notch to ensure this honor in the postseason.

Others Considered: OG William Giles, Chattanooga, Sr.; OT Derek Wooten, Wofford, Sr.

Freshman of the Year
MLB Joshua Jones, Elon
Jones has been one of the key cogs in the Elon defense and given them a force in the linebacking corps they have lacked since Chad Nkang was drafted by the NFL.  His numbers speak for themselves with 39 tackles, #2 on the team, two for loss, one sack, and two pass breakups on the year.  Ask anyone at Elon and they will tell you he is a major reason they have improved defensively.

Others Considered: RB Asheton Jordan, Citadel; RB A.J. Harris, Elon; RB Quan Warley, Western Carolina ; QB Mitch Allen, Wofford

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/3/3d/National_Football_League.svg/140px-National_Football_League.svg.pngTop Senior NFL Talent
(Rank, Name, School, Projection)
1. OT Joel Bell, Furman, 6th round
2. OG William Giles, Chattanooga, PFA
3. P Brandon Lane, Elon, PFA/FA
4. CB William Middleton, Furman, PFA/FA
5. P Neil Young, Appalachian State, PFA/FA
6. WR TJ Courman, Appalachian State, FA
7. DT Jeff Bradley, Western Carolina, FA
8. CB Kyle Morton, Samford, FA/Marginal
9. LB Pierre Banks, Appalachian State, FA/Marginal

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