Linebacker Eric Henri was named ASC Defensive Player of the Year - the fourth straight season and sixth in seven years that a Crusader has garnered that award - to headline a group of 20 UMHB players voted onto the All-ASC Team by the league’s coaches.
Senior guard Josh Littlejohn was named Offensive Lineman of the Year and Pete Fredenburg, who guided the fourth-ranked Crusaders to their sixth conference title, shared Coach of the Year honors with Hardin-Simmons’ Jimmie Keeling.
Joining Henri on the first-team defense were senior Temple product Derrick Williams in the secondary, sophomore linebacker Ben Beckworth and senior linemen Mark Manning, Mark Balderas and James Jenkins.
Henri, a senior out of Lake Dallas, used his sideline-to-sideline aggressiveness to post 64 tackles - including 10½ for losses and 2½ sacks - during the regular season.
Williams has a team-high four interceptions from his free safety spot and ranks behind only Henri in tackles with 62. Beckworth has 58 stops, 10 for losses. Manning has tallied four sacks, and he Balderas and Jenkins have a combined 22 tackles for loss while anchoring a defensive unit that holds opponents to only 243 yards and 12 points per game.
Littlejohn helped pave the way for a UMHB offense that averages 411 yards and 38 points. He was joined on the first-team offense by sophomore kicker Alan Munoz, who booted eight field goals and 48 extra points to go with six touchbacks on kickoffs.
Senior fullback Tommy Vadell, sophomore center Dustin Davis (Harker Heights), senior guard Clayton McCorkle and junior tackle Myke Gobert were UMHB’s second-team selections.
Senior quarterback Josh Saenz, junior receiver Pi’Dadro Davis, senior tight end Marcos Garcia, senior tackle Luke Long and junior kick returner/running back Bryson Tucker received honorable mention on offense.
Defensive honorable mention recipients were junior lineman Marco Coppola, junior back Brett Parker and senior punter James Crawford (Academy).
Hardin-Simmons quarterback Justin Feaster was named Offensive Player of the Year after passing for 2,717 yards and 27 touchdowns. Louisiana College return man Jordan Rideaux received the top special teams honor, and Howard Payne receiver Tre Mason and Mississippi College quarterback Tommy Reyer were named Freshmen of the Year.
Also, Hardin-Simmons senior center Ryan Hunter of Gatesville earned first-team honors and Sul Ross State junior guard Aaron Carter of Killeen Shoemaker received honorable mention.
edrennan@temple-telegram.com
