GSC Announces All-Conference Football Honors
Complete Release (PDF)
Birmingham, AL—The Gulf South Conference announced the 43rd edition of its All-Conference Football Team today.
Co-Champion West Alabama led the way on this year’s squad, landing 20 total players led by nine First Team members.
Co-Champion North Alabama followed with 13 overall honorees and seven First Team standouts.
Delta State was third overall, placing 11 (four on the First Team), while
Valdosta State added 10 (six First Team),
newcomer Florida Tech provided eight (two First Team) and
West Georgia notched seven, six of which were on the First Team.
UWA’S CALDWELL IS THE GSC OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
The
GSC Offensive Player of the Year was awarded to a West Alabama student-athlete for just the second time since the award’s inception.
Junior quarterback Kyle Caldwell earns this season’s edition, following fellow UWA signal caller Clemit Spruiell who took home the very first award in 1971.
The Dadeville, AL native guided the Tigers to their first-ever, back-to-back GSC Titles after UWA shared the top honor with North Alabama. Caldwell led West Alabama’s offense which finished the year ranked No. 1 in the GSC in scoring (49.5) and total offense (539.1). The Harlon Hill Trophy candidate was tops in passing (206.5), passing touchdowns (28) and total offense (245.7), while also placing second in pass efficiency (184.2). He was also named the GSC Offensive Player of the Week on September 16 and October 28.
UNA’S WILSON SELECTED AS GSC DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
North Alabama provided the
GSC Defensive Player of the Year for the first time since 2009 when
linebacker Tavarius Wilson collected this year’s honor. The senior follows former linebacker Mike Johnson who recorded the award in 2009. Wilson is also the Lions’ sixth overall Defensive winner.
The Jackson, MS native spearheaded the Lions’ defensive efforts, as UNA clinched a share of the GSC Title with West Alabama. Wilson is the leader of a North Alabama unit that enters the post-season first in the Conference in scoring defense (17.5), pass defense efficiency (109.4) and interceptions (22). The Jackson, MS native is first in the league in total tackles (98) and solo stops (51), while placing tied for fourth with three interceptions. The Harlon Hill Trophy candidate also posted 7.5 tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks and he earned GSC Defensive Player of the Week three times, including back-to-back honors on October 28 and November 4.
DSU’S SULLIVAN, UNA’S MARTIAL AND FITS’S STAPLETON CLAIM GSC FRESHMAN HONORS
Delta State collected its first-ever
GSC Offensive Freshman of the Year:
quarterback Tyler Sullivan. The redshirt freshman played in seven games for the Statesmen, starting five. He set DSU’s freshman and first-time starter records at then No. 14 Tarleton State when he led a successful comeback effort by passing for 422 yards and four touchdowns. The Louisville, MS native did not stop there, setting the single-game record for total offense in the 63-55 shootout against Valdosta State, posting 583 yards along with four passing touchdowns and two rushing TDs. Sullivan finished the year, completing 131-of-201 passes for 1,764 yards and 15 TDs.
Two players shared
GSC Defensive Freshman of the Year honors for the first time ever, as
Florida Tech linebacker Chris Stapleton and
North Alabama defensive back Philbert Martial tied in the voting. Stapleton was a key cog in the Panthers’ second-ranked GSC pass defense (183.9) in FIT’s inaugural football season. The Navarra, FL native tied for tops in the league in total tackles for loss (11.5) and he also placed sixth in total tackles (87).
Martial moved into a starting role in UNA's secondary during the season and enters this weekend with 29 total tackles led by 19 solo stops. The Mobile, AL native also tallied one tackle for loss of three yards and two interceptions for 65 yards and one touchdown He is also second on UNA in all-purpose yards (736) and has played a huge role in the squad's seven-game winning streak.
DSU’S COOLEY IS THE GSC COACH OF THE YEAR
Delta State’s Todd Cooley was tabbed
GSC Coach of the Year after returning the Statesmen back to their winning ways in his first season at the helm. Cooley is DSU’s fourth overall Coach of the Year and first since Ron Roberts posted back-to-back laurels in 2007 and 2008. Delta State wrapped up the year with a 7-3 overall record and a 4-2 mark in GSC action, while directing an offense that placed first in the league in passing (358.7) and second in total offense (472.7).
2013 ALL-GSC TEAM
The 2013 All-GSC Football Team is headlined by
one three-time returning First Team standout and
eight two-time returning First Team members.
Valdosta State linebacker Chris Pope leads the All-Conference defense that features seven returnees. Pope is the GSC’s 47th three-time First Teamer, following former VSU wideout Cedric Jones who became the last three-timer in 2009. The Jackson, GA native finished his senior season as the school’s all-time leading tackler with 372 total stops.
Back from last year’s First Team are
Valdosta State running back Cedric O’Neal and
wide receiver Seantavius Jones,
Delta State defensive lineman Diego Lubin and
linebacker Rory Island,
North Alabama linebacker Tavarius Wilson and
defensive back Caleb Massey and
West Alabama defensive back Malcolm Butler.
UNA linebacker Gabe Poe also jumped back onto the First Team after claiming honors in 2011 as a UWA Tiger.
Four players made the jump from last year’s Second Team:
UWA wideout Chad Toocheck and offensive tackle Taylor Burnett,
UWG offensive guard William Wright and
VSU defensive lineman Lawrence Virgil.
|
GSC OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: |
QB, Kyle Caldwell, West Alabama |
|
GSC DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: |
LB, Tavarius Wilson, North Alabama |
|
GSC OFFENSIVE FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR: |
QB, Tyler Sullivan, Delta State |
|
GSC DEFENSIVE FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR: |
DB, Philbert Martial, North Alabama |
|
|
LB, Chris Stapleton, Florida Tech |
|
GSC COACH OF THE YEAR: |
Todd Cooley, Delta State |
2013 ALL-GSC FOOTBALL FIRST TEAM
OFFENSE
|
POS |
NAME |
SCHOOL |
HT |
WT |
YEAR |
HOMETOWN |
|
QB |
Kyle Caldwell |
West Alabama |
5-7 |
165 |
JR |
Dadeville, AL |
|
RB |
!Cedric O’Neal |
Valdosta State |
5-11 |
203 |
SO |
Dublin, GA |
|
RB |
*Javae Swindle |
West Alabama |
5-4 |
162 |
SO |
Thorsby, AL |
|
WR |
Ricky Hunt |
Delta State |
5-10 |
175 |
JR |
Sardis, MS |
|
WR |
*!Seantavius Jones |
Valdosta State |
6-3 |
200 |
SR |
Tucker, GA |
|
WR |
*Xavier Milton |
Florida Tech |
6-0 |
190 |
JR |
Alameda, CA |
|
WR |
#Chad Toocheck |
West Alabama |
6-3 |
212 |
JR |
Medina, OH |
|
TE |
*Gabe Hughes |
Florida Tech |
6-4 |
235 |
SO |
Lighthouse Point, FL |
|
AP |
Chris Coffey (RB) |
North Alabama |
5-8 |
200 |
SR |
Decatur, AL |
|
C |
Tyler Sizemore |
North Alabama |
6-2 |
305 |
SR |
Apalachicola, FL |
|
G |
Garrison Ushery |
West Georgia |
6-1 |
335 |
JR |
Austell, GA |
|
G |
*#William Wright |
West Georgia |
6-3 |
310 |
SR |
Pompano Beach, FL |
|
T |
#Taylor Burnett |
West Alabama |
6-3 |
271 |
SR |
Spanish Fort, AL |
|
T |
*Brandon White |
West Georgia |
6-5 |
305 |
SR |
Cincinnati, OH |
DEFENSE
|
POS |
NAME |
SCHOOL |
HT |
WT |
YEAR |
HOMETOWN |
|
DL |
*Taylor Carney |
North Alabama |
6-2 |
275 |
JR |
Killen, AL |
|
DL |
Mario Gainer |
West Alabama |
6-0 |
245 |
SR |
Gautier, MS |
|
DL |
Ryan Jones |
West Alabama |
6-2 |
250 |
JR |
Irondale, AL |
|
DL |
!Diego Lubin |
Delta State |
5-11 |
230 |
JR |
Winter Haven, FL |
|
DL |
*#Lawrence Virgil |
Valdosta State |
6-5 |
290 |
SR |
Quitman, GA |
|
LB |
Tyrell Adams |
West Georgia |
6-2 |
215 |
JR |
Atlanta, GA |
|
LB |
!Rory Island |
Delta State |
6-0 |
225 |
JR |
Waveland, MS |
|
LB |
$Gabe Poe |
North Alabama |
5-10 |
210 |
SR |
Pheba, MS |
|
LB |
*!$Chris Pope |
Valdosta State |
6-1 |
233 |
SR |
Jackson, GA |
|
LB |
*!Tavarius Wilson |
North Alabama |
5-11 |
225 |
SR |
Jackson, MS |
|
DB |
*!Malcolm Butler |
West Alabama |
5-11 |
180 |
SR |
Vicksburg, MS |
|
DB |
*!Caleb Massey |
North Alabama |
6-0 |
226 |
SR |
Sulligent, AL |
|
DB |
*Demetruce McNeal |
West Alabama |
6-2 |
185 |
SR |
College Park, GA |
|
DB |
Dominique Wheeler |
Valdosta State |
5-8 |
177 |
SR |
Stone Mountain, GA |
SPECIAL TEAMS
|
POS |
NAME |
SCHOOL |
HT |
WT |
YEAR |
HOMETOWN |
|
K |
Mark Grant |
West Alabama |
5-7 |
160 |
FR |
Panama City, FL |
|
P |
Dominic DeMasi |
Valdosta State |
6-3 |
188 |
SO |
Savannah, GA |
|
RS |
Michael Davison |
Delta State |
5-0 |
160 |
FR |
Avondale, AZ |
|
RS |
Derick Seward |
West Georgia |
5-10 |
195 |
JR |
Wheatland, CA |
|
BT |
Chase Penland |
West Georgia |
6-0 |
205 |
SR |
Brooks, GA |
|
UT |
Mabry Cook |
North Alabama |
6-2 |
240 |
SR |
Brewton, AL |
|
|
|
|
!—2012 First Team All-GSC |
#—2012 Second Team All-GSC |
|
$—2011 First Team All-GSC |
*—Unanimous selection |
2013 ALL-GSC FOOTBALL SECOND TEAM
OFFENSE
|
POS |
NAME |
SCHOOL |
HT |
WT |
YEAR |
HOMETOWN |
|
QB |
Tyler Sullivan |
Delta State |
6-3 |
235 |
FR |
Louisville, MS |
|
QB |
Bobby Vega |
Florida Tech |
6-1 |
195 |
SR |
Miami, FL |
|
RB |
#Lamonte Thompson |
North Alabama |
5-8 |
175 |
SO |
Florence, AL |
|
RB |
Kedrick Rhodes |
West Alabama |
5-11 |
200 |
SR |
Ocala, FL |
|
WR |
Regginald Lewis |
Valdosta State |
6-1 |
183 |
SR |
Forest Park, GA |
|
WR |
Malik Lofton |
West Alabama |
6-0 |
185 |
SR |
Shubuta, MS |
|
WR |
Casey Osborne |
Delta State |
6-3 |
205 |
SO |
Flowery Branch, GA |
|
WR |
Seth Roberts |
West Alabama |
6-2 |
190 |
SR |
Tallahassee, FL |
|
WR |
Jason Smith |
North Alabama |
5-10 |
165 |
SR |
Gurley, AL |
|
TE |
Ty Morgan |
West Alabama |
6-3 |
242 |
SO |
Sweet Water, AL |
|
AP |
Gary Johnston (QB) |
West Alabama |
5-11 |
200 |
SR |
Gulf Shores, AL |
|
C |
#Skeeter Sellers |
West Alabama |
6-1 |
280 |
SR |
Enterprise, AL |
|
G |
#David Lundberg |
North Alabama |
6-1 |
310 |
SR |
Winfield, AL |
|
G |
Ramsey Sellers |
Florida Tech |
5-10 |
190 |
JR |
Wiggins, MS |
|
G |
Felei Tauvae |
Valdosta State |
6-1 |
355 |
JR |
American Somoa |
|
T |
Ethan Corkren |
West Alabama |
6-2 |
260 |
SR |
Brilliant, AL |
|
T |
Keith Jones |
North Alabama |
6-5 |
315 |
JR |
Birmingham, AL |
|
T |
Kenston Redfearn |
North Alabama |
6-3 |
310 |
SR |
Lexington, NC |
DEFENSE
|
POS |
NAME |
SCHOOL |
HT |
WT |
YEAR |
HOMETOWN |
|
DL |
#Tevin Davis |
Valdosta State |
6-0 |
257 |
JR |
Forsyth, GA |
|
DL |
Adrian Dinkins |
Delta State |
6-3 |
260 |
JR |
Ridgeland, MS |
|
DL |
Skylar Sheffield |
Florida Tech |
6-3 |
305 |
FR |
Henderson, TN |
|
LB |
Justin Arcune |
Florida Tech |
6-2 |
230 |
JR |
Los Altos, CA |
|
LB |
!Jeremy Grable |
Valdosta State |
6-0 |
216 |
SR |
Alpharetta, GA |
|
LB |
#Brion James |
North Alabama |
6-1 |
190 |
SR |
Hahnville, LA |
|
LB |
Chris Stapleton |
Florida Tech |
5-11 |
215 |
FR |
Navarre, FL |
|
LB |
Ricky Willis |
West Alabama |
6-2 |
200 |
SR |
Columbiana, MS |
|
DB |
Manny Abad |
Florida Tech |
6-1 |
175 |
FR |
Fort Lauderdale, FL |
|
DB |
Robert Jones |
West Alabama |
6-1 |
180 |
SR |
Laurel, MS |
|
DB |
Richard Nash |
Delta State |
5-9 |
180 |
SO |
Macon, GA |
|
DB |
Trenton Warren |
Delta State |
5-10 |
185 |
SR |
Baytown, TX |
SPECIAL TEAMS
|
POS |
NAME |
SCHOOL |
HT |
WT |
YEAR |
HOMETOWN |
|
K |
Vince Sciorrotta |
Delta State |
5-9 |
170 |
FR |
Cumming, GA |
|
P |
James Dugan |
West Georgia |
6-5 |
180 |
SO |
Carrollton, GA |
|
BT |
Tyler O’Neal |
West Alabama |
6-3 |
250 |
JR |
Little Rock, AR |
|
BT |
Trenton Warren |
Delta State |
5-10 |
185 |
SR |
Baytown, TX |
|
UT |
Matt Humphries |
West Alabama |
5-11 |
230 |
JR |
Hueytown, AL |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
!—2012 First Team All-GSC |
#—2012 Second Team All-GSC |
NOTES: There were only two nominations for RS and both tied for First Team; The 2013 All-GSC Football Team was selected by the Head Coaches; Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own players; Ties were not broken.
#GSC#