GSC Announces 2012 All-Conference Honors
Complete Release (PDF)
Birmingham, AL—The Gulf South Conference announced the 42
nd edition of its All-Conference Football Teams today.
Valdosta State led the way on this year’s squad, landing 16 total players led by 13 First Team members.
GSC Champion West Alabama followed closely with 15 overall honorees and seven First Team standouts.
North Alabama was third overall, placing 10 led by five First Teamers, while
Delta State (six First Team) and
West Georgia (four First Team) each added eight overall.
VSU’S FORD IS GSC OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
The
GSC Offensive Player of the Year was awarded to a wide receiver for just the third time in history and the first time since 1975.
Valdosta State’s Gerald Ford completed his impressive comeback campaign in grand fashion, becoming the first VSU winner since running back Aaron Jenkins in 2002. His victory snapped a nine-year quarterback streak. The junior follows North Alabama’s Roger Ralph (1975) and Troy State’s Perry Griggs (1974) as the only wide receivers to capture the accolade and he is also the Blazers’ sixth all-time winner.
The New Orleans, FL native enters the NCAA Playoffs No. 1 in the GSC in receiving (92.9), receptions (5.8) and touchdown catches (12). He was named GSC Player of the Week twice and set personal bests in single-game and single-season action this year. Ford returns to the individual honors list after notching the GSC Offensive Freshman of the Year award in 2009.
UWA’S WILSON CHOSEN AS GSC DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
West Alabama provided the
GSC Defensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive season when
defensive end Ridge Wilson collected this year’s honor. The senior was a unanimous choice and he follows current teammate, linebacker Deon Lacey, who claimed the award in 2011. Wilson’s selection marks the first by a defensive lineman since Delta State’s Anthony Maddox in 2003, snapping the seven-year streak by linebackers. The Louisville, KY native is tops in the Conference in sacks (8.5) and tackles for loss (18.0) and he is a two-time GSC Defensive Player of the Week.
VSU’S O’NEIL, UNA’S JONES CLAIM GSC FRESHMAN HONORS
Valdosta State provided the
GSC Offensive Freshman of the Year for the first time since 2009.
Running back Cedric O’Neil was a key cog in the league’s top offense, guiding VSU to the No. 1 seed in the Super Regional Two field. The Dublin, GA native enters the post-season at No. 1 in the Conference in rushing (90.1), second in rushing touchdowns (seven) and ninth in total offense (90.1).
North Alabama defensive back Floyd Jones became North Alabama’s first-ever
GSC Defensive Freshman of the Year. The Town Creek, AL native started in all 10 games for the Lions, ranking seventh in the league in tackles (6.2) and third on the team in total stops (62). Jones did not stop there, also nabbing two interceptions.
UWA’S HALL IS GSC COACH OF THE YEAR
West Alabama’s Will Hall was tabbed
GSC Coach of the Year for the second year in a row after sharing accolades in 2011. Hall guided UWA to its first-ever outright Conference Championship, finishing a perfect 5-0 in league play and guiding the Tigers to their second consecutive NCAA Playoff appearance. UWA posted its fourth straight winning seasons for the first time since 1972-1975.
2012 ALL-GSC TEAM
The 2012 All-GSC Football Team is headlined by
eight returning First Team members from 2011. Two schools provided the list of returning First Teamers. Valdosta State led the way five, including
guard Edmund Kugbila,
offensive tackles Ryan Schraeder and
Mesh Wokomaty,
linebacker Chris Pope and
defensive back Matt Pierce. VSU became the first school in All-GSC history to advance four offensive lineman to the First Team. West Alabama added
running back Matt Willis, linebacker Deon Lacey and
placekicker Ryan Smith.
Four players made the jump from Second Team laurels.
VSU wide receiver Seantavious Jones,
UWA guard Andy Nations and
West Alabama defensive back Otha Foster climbed up from last year’s Second Team, while
Valdosta State wide out Gerald Ford moves up from the 2009 Second Team.
|
GSC OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: |
WR, Gerald Ford, Valdosta State |
|
GSC DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: |
DE, Ridge Wilson, West Alabama |
|
GSC OFFENSIVE FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR: |
RB, Cedric O’Neal, Valdosta State |
|
GSC DEFENSIVE FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR: |
DB, Floyd Jones, North Alabama |
|
GSC COACH OF THE YEAR: |
Will Hall, West Alabama |
2012 ALL-GSC FOOTBALL FIRST TEAM
OFFENSE
|
POS |
NAME |
SCHOOL |
HT |
WT |
YEAR |
HOMETOWN |
|
QB |
Cayden Cochran |
Valdosta State |
6-2 |
188 |
JR |
Cashion, OK |
|
RB |
Cedric O’Neal |
Valdosta State |
5-11 |
197 |
FR |
Dublin, GA |
|
RB |
!Matt Willis |
West Alabama |
5-8 |
205 |
SR |
Collins, MS |
|
WR |
Lavon Downs |
Delta State |
6-1 |
185 |
SR |
Avon Park, FL |
|
WR |
$Gerald Ford |
Valdosta State |
6-3 |
220 |
JR |
New Orleans, LA |
|
WR |
#Seantavious Jones |
Valdosta State |
6-4 |
193 |
JR |
Tucker, GA |
|
WR |
Regginald Lewis |
Valdosta State |
6-2 |
186 |
JR |
Forest Park, GA |
|
TE |
Daniel Youssif |
West Georgia |
6-4 |
249 |
SR |
Clinton Township, MI |
|
AP |
Rondreaus Truesdale |
Delta State |
5-10 |
180 |
FR |
Lancaster, SC |
|
C |
Jordan Ritchey |
West Georgia |
6-4 |
295 |
SR |
Covington, GA |
|
G |
!Edmund Kugbila |
Valdosta State |
6-5 |
347 |
SR |
Lawrenceville, GA |
|
G |
#Andy Nations |
West Alabama |
6-7 |
360 |
SR |
Pascagoula, MS |
|
G |
Cam Short |
Valdosta State |
6-3 |
287 |
SR |
Thomaston, GA |
|
T |
!Ryan Schraeder |
Valdosta State |
6-7 |
300 |
SR |
Wichita, KS |
|
T |
!Mesh Wokomaty |
Valdosta State |
6-6 |
283 |
SR |
Dallas, GA |
DEFENSE
|
POS |
NAME |
SCHOOL |
HT |
WT |
YEAR |
HOMETOWN |
|
DL |
Tyler Josey |
Valdosta State |
6-2 |
249 |
SR |
Dublin, GA |
|
DL |
Richie Mata’afa |
North Alabama |
5-11 |
230 |
SR |
Temecula, CA |
|
DL |
Juan Pickett |
West Georgia |
6-1 |
275 |
SR |
Columbus, GA |
|
DL |
Ridge Wilson |
West Alabama |
6-4 |
256 |
SR |
Louisville, KY |
|
LB |
Jeremy Grable |
Valdosta State |
6-1 |
210 |
JR |
Alpharetta, GA |
|
LB |
Rory Island |
Delta State |
6-0 |
210 |
SO |
Waveland, MS |
|
LB |
!Deon Lacey |
West Alabama |
6-2 |
208 |
SR |
Brighton, AL |
|
LB |
Diego Lubin |
Delta State |
5-11 |
245 |
SO |
Winter Haven, FL |
|
LB |
!Chris Pope |
Valdosta State |
6-1 |
216 |
JR |
Jackson, GA |
|
LB |
Tavarius Wilson |
North Alabama |
5-11 |
225 |
JR |
Jackson, MS |
|
DB |
Kenny Barnes |
Delta State |
6-0 |
190 |
JR |
Madison, MS |
|
DB |
Malcolm Butler |
West Alabama |
5-11 |
180 |
JR |
Vicksburg, MS |
|
DB |
Kelly Dawsey |
West Georgia |
6-0 |
190 |
SR |
Valdosta, GA |
|
DB |
#Otha Foster |
West Alabama |
6-1 |
207 |
SR |
Angie, LA |
|
DB |
Caleb Massey |
North Alabama |
6-0 |
226 |
JR |
Sulligent, AL |
|
DB |
!Matt Pierce |
Valdosta State |
5-10 |
196 |
SR |
New Orleans, LA |
SPECIAL TEAMS
|
POS |
NAME |
SCHOOL |
HT |
WT |
YEAR |
HOMETOWN |
|
K |
!Ryne Smith |
West Alabama |
5-8 |
180 |
SR |
Madison, MS |
|
P |
Michael Schuster |
North Alabama |
5-10 |
180 |
SR |
Decatur, AL |
|
RS |
Lavon Downs |
Delta State |
6-1 |
185 |
SR |
Avon Park, FL |
|
BT |
Josh Roberts |
North Alabama |
5-11 |
215 |
SR |
Wetumpka, AL |
|
|
|
|
!—2011 First Team All-GSC |
#—2011 Second Team All-GSC |
|
$—2009 First Team All-GSC |
|
2012 ALL-GSC FOOTBALL SECOND TEAM
OFFENSE
|
POS |
NAME |
SCHOOL |
HT |
WT |
YEAR |
HOMETOWN |
|
QB |
Gary Johnston |
West Alabama |
5-11 |
200 |
JR |
Gulf Shores, AL |
|
RB |
Seth Hinsley |
West Georgia |
5-10 |
224 |
SO |
Norcross, GA |
|
RB |
Lamonte Thompson |
North Alabama |
5-8 |
175 |
FR |
Florence, AL |
|
WR |
Chad Toocheck |
West Alabama |
6-3 |
208 |
SO |
Medina, OH |
|
C |
Skeeter Sellers |
West Alabama |
6-1 |
280 |
JR |
Enterprise, AL |
|
G |
David Lundberg |
North Alabama |
6-1 |
328 |
JR |
Winfield, AL |
|
G |
William Wright |
West Georgia |
6-3 |
310 |
JR |
Coconut Creek, FL |
|
T |
Taylor Burnett |
West Alabama |
6-3 |
271 |
JR |
Spanish Fort, AL |
|
T |
Will Furlong |
North Alabama |
6-5 |
275 |
SR |
DeLand, FL |
DEFENSE
|
POS |
NAME |
SCHOOL |
HT |
WT |
YEAR |
HOMETOWN |
|
DL |
Tevin Davis |
Valdosta State |
6-0 |
244 |
SO |
Forsyth, GA |
|
DL |
Willie Packer |
West Alabama |
6-1 |
290 |
JR |
Moss Point, MS |
|
DL |
Lawrence Virgil |
Valdosta State |
6-5 |
278 |
JR |
Quitman, GA |
|
LB |
Brion James |
North Alabama |
6-1 |
190 |
JR |
Hahnville, LA |
|
LB |
Bobby Liggins |
West Georgia |
6-0 |
235 |
JR |
Hephzibah, GA |
|
DB |
Montavius Hill |
Delta State |
5-10 |
175 |
SR |
Cleveland, MS |
|
DB |
Floyd Jones |
North Alabama |
6-0 |
210 |
FR |
Town Creek, AL |
SPECIAL TEAMS
|
POS |
NAME |
SCHOOL |
HT |
WT |
YEAR |
HOMETOWN |
|
K |
Davis Brackett |
West Georgia |
5-9 |
172 |
SR |
Marietta, GA |
|
P |
Daniel Andersen |
Valdosta State |
6-0 |
182 |
SR |
Meansville, GA |
|
P |
Jordan Ikner |
West Alabama |
6-4 |
230 |
FR |
Alabaster, AL |
|
P |
Andrew Jones |
Delta State |
6-0 |
185 |
SR |
Corinth, MS |
|
RS |
Malik Lofton |
West Alabama |
6-0 |
180 |
JR |
Shubuta, MS |
|
BT |
Josh Senkbeil |
West Alabama |
6-0 |
228 |
SR |
Red Bay, AL |
NOTE: The 2012 All-GSC Football Team was selected by the Head Coaches. Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own players.
#GSC#