Jul 6, 2006, 18:52 GMT
Philadelphia, PA - Four players from reigning Sports Network Cup champion San Diego are among the 28 named to The Sports Networks 2006 I-AA Mid-Major Preseason All-America team. Albany, Drake, St. Francis (PA) and Wagner all had three players selected to the team.
The All-America backfield consists of San Diego quarterback Josh Johnson (3256 yards, 36 TD) and running backs Obozua Ehikioya (1020 yards, 17 TD) of Marist, Jeff Horton (1358 yards, 10 TD) of Valparaiso and Scott Phaydavong (1550 yards, 8 TD) of Drake.
The potent St. Francis (PA) duo of Michael Caputo (92 receptions, 1433 yards, 12 TD) and Luke Palko (85 receptions, 812 yards, 7 TD) takes up two of the wide receiving spots, while Wagners Chris Turner (66 receptions, 952 yards, 12 TD) rounds out the trio of Northeast Conference pass-catchers. Turners teammate, Joe Kinard (46 receptions, 504 yards), earns the All-America nod at tight end.
The offensive line consists of Albanys Jacob Anderson, St. Francis (PA)s Bill Holter, San Diegos Jordan Paopao, Drakes Dave Pammer and Jacksonvilles Pat Rich.
On the All-America defensive line, San Diegos Erik Bakhtiari (62 TT, 15 TFL, 4 sacks) made the team after also making last years postseason All-America squad. He is accompanied on the line by Central Connecticut States Devon Douglass (44 TT, 9 TFL, 3 sacks), Albanys Michael Dungey (39 TT, 9 TFL, 3 sacks) and Duquesnes Lou Levine (26 tackles).
Albanys Colin Disch (112 tackles, 15 TFL, 4.5 sacks) earns a spot on the preseason team after making the 2005 postseason All-America squad at linebacker. He is joined by a trio of Pioneer Football League players: Drakes James Adams (88 TT, 8.5 TFL), Daytons Jon Hoppe (86 tackles, 7.5 TFL) and San Diegos Kyson Hawkins (64 TT, 12 TFL).
Duquesnes Michael Hill (46 TT, 3 INT), Daytons Casey Klaus (6 INT, 54 TT), Central Connecticut States Farod Muhammad (3 INT, 64 TT) and Wagners Al Phillips (5 INT, 14 PBU) make up the All-America secondary.
The All-America special teams include Marist placekicker Brad Rowe (7-8 FG) and Monmouth punter Sean Dennis (39.6 avg). Morehead State return specialist Nick Feldman (19.0 PR avg., 2 TD/25.2 KR avg) made the squad after earning Mid-Major All-America and third team overall All-America honors last season.
Twelve players were selected to the team from both the Northeast Conference and Pioneer Football League, while four were named from the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference.
The 21 programs of the MAAC, Northeast Conference and Pioneer Football League, which play at a non-scholarship or limited scholarship level, make up the I-AA Mid-Major ranks. In addition to the Preseason All-America team, The Sports Network also sponsors the Top 10 ranking for the Mid-Major teams. The No. 1 team at the end of the regular season on Nov. 27 will be honored with The Sports Network Cup as the Mid-Major champion at the TSN I-AA Awards Ceremony in Chattanooga, TN on Dec. 14.
© 2006 The Sports Network
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