LOCK HAVEN, Pa. - Â The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) released its football end of the year awards on Wednesday afternoon, and West Chester University placed 16 athletes on the All-PSAC teams while
Tyler Morrissey (Springfield, Pa./Springfield-DELCO) captured Eastern Division Defensive Player of the Year honors and
Bill Zwaan captured Eastern Division Coach of the Year Honors.
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Zwaan's charges had a season for the record books as his team is a perfect 10-0 for the first time since 1967. The team also captured its first outright PSAC Championship since 1971 when the Golden Rams defeated Slippery Rock, 33-10, last Saturday. This is also the first year since 2015 that Zwaan has been named PSAC East Coach of the Year.
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A.J. Long (Bethlehem, Pa./Friendship Christian [Tenn.]) earned a spot on the first team after a banner 2018 season. Long was a threat both through the air and on the ground as he went 133-for-200 through the air for 1,920 yards and 21 touchdowns against just six interceptions. Long also carried the ball 146 times for 692 yards and seven touchdowns to lead West Chester in both categories.
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Mark Dukes (Pottstown, Pa./Pottsgrove) was also a first-team honoree, after registering 626 yards rushing and six touchdowns on 121 attempts while also recording 15 receptions for 181 yards and two touchdowns.
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Protecting these two weapons was another first-team honoree in graduate student
Tyler Drob (Cherry Hill, N.J./Cherry Hill East), who had a great 2018 season as he did not allow a sack while helping to open up holes and protect Long and Dukes throughout the season.
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Long's favorite target throughout the 2018 season was junior wideout
Lex Rosario (Matamoras, Pa./Delaware Valley). He came up with 48 receptions for 720 yards and four touchdowns. Rosario is currently averaging 15 yards per catch and 72 yards per game as the Golden Rams enter the NCAA Tournament.
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Junior place-kicker
Andrew Chegia (Kennett Square, Pa./Unionville) was the final offensive all-leaguer to dot the first team. Chegia had a strong 2018 season going 47-for-52 on extra points while also going 6-for-9 on field goals with a long of 36 coming against Lock Haven on Nov. 3.
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Defensively, West Chester also placed five players on the PSAC East all-conference first team while Morrissey earned Defensive Player of the Year honors.
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Morrissey had another strong year in 2018 to earn his second consecutive PSAC East Defensive Player of the Year honor as he finished second on the team in tackles with 73 thanks to 48 solo tackles and 25 assisted tackles. Morrissey also registered 10 tackles for a loss of 55 yards to go along with 8.5 sacks for a total loss of 42 yards. Additionally, Morrissey was credited with one pass breakup, four QB hurries, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and a game-saving blocked field goal in the West Chester win over Bloomsburg earlier this season.
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Joining Morrisey on the first team were
Diquan Gilbert (Philadelphia, Pa./Valley Forge Military Academy), Shaquille Ryder (Philadelphia, Pa./Imhotep Charter), Jarey Elder (Allentown, Pa./Parkland), and
Shaquille James (Philadelphia, Pa./West Catholic).
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Gilbert led the defensive line in tackles with 35 tackles on the year thanks to 20 solo tackles and 15 assisted tackles. Gilbert also led the team in tackles for loss and sacks on the year as he recorded 16.5 tackles for loss, costing opponents 92 yards while also registering 9.5 sacks for a loss of 76 yards. Additionally, Gilbert ended his season with one interception, one pass breakup, four QB hurries and a forced fumble to help lead the formidable West Chester defensive line. Fellow senior, Shaq Ryder, had a strong season of his own to earn first-team honors as well. Ryder ended the year with 29 total tackles courtesy of 13 solo tackles and 16 assisted tackles. Ryder also registered 6.5 tackles for loss for a loss of 34 yards with 3.5 of those were sacks for a loss of 22 yards. Additionally, Ryder was credited with one pass breakup, one QB hurry and a forced fumble.
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If teams managed to avoid the relentless Golden Rams' pass rush, things did not get much easier in the secondary with both Elder and James roaming downfield. Elder had a great season, registering 40 total tackles with 25 of those tackles being solo, while 15 were assisted, to go along with 2.0 tackles for loss for a loss of eight yards. Perhaps the most impressive statistic for Elder was his seven interceptions, which is the most by a West Chester player in a single season since the 1983 season. Elder also handled the majority of the punt return duties in 2018, running back 21 punts for 168 yards with a long of 28, which Elder recorded against East Stroudsburg.
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James had another strong year of his own, registering 38 tackles with 26 of those solo. James also led the team in pass breakups as he was credited with seven breakups and one interception on the season.
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West Chester also placed three players on the second team as
Frank Tranzilli (Lansdale, Pa./North Penn), Connor Walsh (Garnet Valley, Pa./Garnet Valley), and
Cody Boozel (Cranberry Twp., Pa./Seneca Valley) were also honored.
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Tranzilli and Walsh were key contributors on a formidable West Chester offensive line that finished atop the East in total rushing yards per game with 2,149 yards rushing and led the PSAC in average yards rushing per game (214.9). Tranzilli and Walsh also combined with Drob to keep their quarterback and running backs healthy.
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The R-So., TE Boozel was also a factor in 2018 as he not only helped protect his quarterback and running back, but he also came away with 14 catches for 210 yards and four touchdowns on the year.
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West Chester rounded out its contingent by placing three players on the second team defense as
Ch'aim Smith (York, Pa./York Suburban), Nate Barnes (Carlisle, Pa./Carlisle), and Brendan Paulison (Milford, Pa./Delaware Valley) were also recognized.
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Smith was the third member of the Golden Rams' defensive line to be honored for his efforts in 2018 as he ended the year with 30 total tackles, including 18 solo tackles and 12 assisted ones. Smith also finished the year with 10 tackles for a loss of 52 yards with 8.5 of those being sacks for a loss of 47 yards. Smith also forced a pair of fumbles while registering seven QB hurries and three pass breakups on the year.
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Barnes ended the year with the team lead in total tackles as he recorded 75 tackles on the year with 53 of these tackles being recorded as solo tackles. 10.5 of Barnes of 75 tackles were also tackles for a loss costing opponents 61 yards with 8.5 of these being sacks for a loss of 56 yards. Barnes also registered one interception, five pass breakups, five QB hurries and two forced fumbles to help lead the West Chester defense.
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The final Golden Ram honored was senior punter,
Brendan Paulison, who punted 39 times for a total of 1,628 yards averaging 41.74 yards per punt. Paulison's long was 67 yards with seven of his 39 punts traveling over 50-yards. Paulison also registered five touchbacks, eight fair catches, while 13 of his punts went came to rest inside the 20-yard line.
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West Chester will be back in action on Saturday afternoon against No. 6 seed New Haven in the first round of the NCAA II Playoffs at John A. Farrell Stadium with that game scheduled to kickoff at 1 p.m.
PSAC FOOTBALL EAST MAJOR AWARDS
Offensive Player of the Year:Â Josh Gontarek, Shippensburg
Defensive Player of the Year:Â Tyler Morrissey, West Chester
Freshman of the Year:Â Brycen Mussina, Shippensburg
Coach of the Year:Â Bill Zwaan, West Chester
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PSAC FOOTBALL EASTERN DIVISION ALL-CONFERENCE OFFENSIVE FIRST TEAM
| Pos. |
Player |
School |
Cl. |
Hometown / Previous School |
| QBÂ |
A.J. Long |
West Chester |
R-Jr. |
Bethlehem, Pa. / Syracuse |
| RB |
Jaymar Anderson* |
East Stroudsburg |
R-Sr. |
Philadelphia, Pa. / Lackawanna |
| RB |
Mark Dukes |
West Chester |
Sr. |
Pottstown, Pa. / Pottsgrove |
| RB |
Craig Reynolds** |
Kutztown |
R-Sr. |
Willow Grove, Pa. / Abington |
| OT |
Mike Fleming^^^ |
East Stroudsburg |
Sr. |
Easton, Pa. / Easton |
| OT |
Justin Tindull |
Kutztown |
R-Jr. |
Seven Valleys, Pa. / Dallastown Area |
| OG |
Tyler Drob** |
West Chester |
Gr. |
Cherry Hill, N.J. / Cherry Hill East |
| OG |
Jayson Williams |
Kutztown |
R-Jr. |
Pomona, N.J. / Cedar Creek |
| C |
Matt Cella^ |
Kutztown |
Jr. |
Springfield, Pa. / Springfield |
| TE |
Jalen Jackson |
Lock Haven |
So. |
Williamsport, Pa. / Williamsport |
| WR |
Winston Eubanks* |
Shippensburg |
R-So. |
Philadelphia, Pa. / La Salle College |
| WR |
Josh Gonarek |
Shippensburg |
R-Jr. |
Mount Airy, Md. / Albany |
| WR |
Lex Rosario |
West Chester |
Jr. |
Matamoras, Pa. / Delaware Valley |
| PK |
Andrew Chegia^ |
West Chester |
Jr. |
Kennett Square, Pa. / Unionville |
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PSAC FOOTBALL EASTERN DIVISION ALL-CONFERENCE DEFENSIVE FIRST TEAM
| Pos. |
Player |
School |
Cl. |
Hometown / Previous School |
| DL |
Chris Gary*^ |
Bloomsburg |
R-Sr. |
Philadelphia, Pa. / Archbishop Wood |
| DL |
Diquan Gilbert^ |
West Chester |
Sr. |
Philadelphia, Pa. / Valley Forge Military Academy |
| DL |
Jake Klinger* |
Bloomsburg |
R-Sr. |
Berwick, Pa. / Central Columbia |
| DL |
Shaquill Ryder |
West Chester |
Sr. |
Philadelphia, Pa. / Imhotep Charter |
| DL |
Dakota Thompson* |
Shippensburg |
Sr. |
Laureldale, Pa. / Muhlenberg |
| LB |
Obadiah Asare |
Lock Haven |
So. |
Upper Darby, Pa. / Upper Darby |
| LB |
Tyler Emge* |
Shippensburg |
Sr. |
Blandon, Pa. / Fleetwood |
| LB |
Tajier Jefferson*** |
Kutztown |
R-Sr. |
East Orange, N.J. / Queen of Peace |
| LB |
Tyler Morrissey* |
West Chester |
R-Sr. |
Springfield, Pa. / Springfield-DELCO |
| DB |
Ahkee Cox-Cowan* |
Kutztown |
Jr. |
Harrisburg, Pa. / Harrisburg |
| DB |
Jarey Elder^ |
West Chester |
Jr. |
Allentown, Pa. / Parkland |
| DB |
Shaquille James^^ |
West Chester |
Sr. |
Philadelphia, Pa. / West Catholic |
| DB |
Shawn Turber-Ortiz |
Kutztown |
R-So. |
Northumberland, Pa. / Shikellamy |
| RS |
Nysir Minney-Gratz^ |
Lock Haven |
Jr. |
Easton, Pa. / Easton |
| P |
Dean Krcic^ |
Kutztown |
R-So. |
Saylorsbury, Pa. / Pleasant Valley |
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PSAC FOOTBALL EASTERN DIVISION ALL-CONFERENCE OFFENSIVE SECOND TEAM
| Pos. |
Player |
School |
Cl. |
Hometown / Previous School |
| QBÂ |
Collin DiGalbo^^ |
Kutztown |
R-Jr. |
Secane, Pa. / Monsignor Bonner |
| RB |
Alex Gooden |
Bloomsburg |
R-Jr. |
Parkesburg, Pa. / Octorara |
| RB |
Hakeem Sillman |
Bloomsburg |
Sr. |
Philadelphia, Pa. / Valley Forge Military Academy |
| RB |
Chantz Swartz |
Lock Haven |
So. |
Mifflintown, Pa. / Juniata H.S. |
| OT |
Travis Krall* |
Bloomsburg |
R-Sr. |
New Columbia, Pa. / Milton Area |
| OT |
David Staton |
Lock Haven |
R-Jr. |
Little Egg Harbor Twp., N.J. / Pinelands Regional |
| OG |
Frank Tranzilli* |
West Chester |
Jr. |
Lansdale, Pa. / North Penn |
| OG |
Zach Warren^ |
Shippensburg |
Jr. |
Newark, Del. / Salesianum School |
| C |
Connor Walsh |
West Chester |
Sr. |
Garnet Valley, Pa. / Garnet Valley |
| TE |
Cody Boozel |
West Chester |
R-So. |
Cranberry Twp., Pa. / Seneca Valley |
| WR |
Michael Allen^ |
Bloomsburg |
R-Jr. |
Oley, Pa. / Oley Valley |
| WR |
Bryan Greene |
Lock Haven |
So. |
Milesburg, Pa. / Bald Eagle Area |
| WR |
Conor Sullivan |
Kutztown |
Sr. |
Whitehall, Pa. / Whitehall |
| PK |
Jacco Sattamini |
Bloomsburg |
R-Fr. |
Delaware Water Gap, Pa. / Stroudsburg |
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PSAC FOOTBALL EASTERN DIVISION ALL-CONFERENCE DEFENSIVE SECOND TEAM
| Pos. |
Player |
School |
Cl. |
Hometown / Previous School |
| DL |
Dave Calderon |
Kutztown |
Sr. |
Willingboro, N.J. / New Haven |
| DL |
John Durkin |
Shippensburg |
R-Sr. |
Springfield, Pa. / Bonner-Prendergast |
| DL |
Morgan Faughnan |
Millersville |
R-Sr. |
Binghamton, N.Y. / Binghamton |
| DL |
Richard Nase^** |
Shippensburg |
Sr. |
Summit Hill, Pa. / Panther Valley |
| DL |
Chaim Smith^ |
West Chester |
Sr. |
York, Pa. / York Suburban |
| LB |
Nate Barnes |
West Chester |
So. |
Carlisle, Pa. / Carlisle |
| LB |
Zac Button |
Millersville |
R-Jr. |
West Lawn, Pa. / Wilson |
| LB |
Nate Monroe |
Bloomsburg |
Sr. |
Harrisburg, Pa. / Bishop Mcdevitt |
| LB |
Luke Snyder^ |
Kutztown |
Jr. |
Levittown, Pa. / Pennsbury |
| DB |
Trejon Dinkins |
Millersville |
R-Sr. |
North Plainfield, N.J. / Saint Peters Prep |
| DB |
Billy Inge III |
East Stroudsburg |
R-Sr. |
Williamstown, N.J. / Camden CC |
| DB |
Dexter Jordan |
Bloomsburg |
R-Sr. |
Wernersville, Pa. / Conrad Weiser |
| DB |
Dontae Mason |
Lock Haven |
R-So. |
Philadelphia, Pa. / Bishop McDevitt |
| RS |
Josh Gontarek |
Shippensburg |
R-Jr. |
Doylestown, Pa. / Central Bucks West |
| P |
Brandon Paulison^^* |
West Chester |
Sr. |
Milford, Pa. / Delaware Valley |
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* Indicates previous All-PSAC First Team selection
^ Indicates previous All-PSAC Second Team selection
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PSAC FOOTBALL WEST MAJOR AWARDS
Offensive Player of the Year:Â Walter Fletcher, Edinboro
Defensive Player of the Year:Â Lamont McPhatter, California
Freshman of the Year:Â Noah Mitchell, California
Coach of the Year:Â Shawn Lutz, Slippery Rock
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PSAC FOOTBALL WESTERN DIVISION ALL-CONFERENCE OFFENSIVE FIRST TEAM
| Pos. |
Player |
School |
Cl. |
Hometown / Previous School |
| QBÂ |
Roland Rivers |
Slippery Rock |
Jr. |
Ellenwood, Ga. / King Valdosta State |
| RB |
Walter Fletcher^* |
Edinboro |
R-So. |
Columbia, Md. / Randolph-Macon |
| RB |
Wes Hills |
Slippery Rock |
Sr. |
Wildwood, N.J. / Delaware |
| RB |
Marcus Jones* |
Gannon |
Sr. |
Painesvile, Ohio / Riverside |
| OT |
Steve Gaviglia^^ |
Slippery Rock |
R-Sr. |
Cranberry Twp, Pa. / Seneca Valley |
| OT |
Craig McCorkle^* |
California |
Jr. |
Cincinatti, Ohio / Winton Woods |
| OG |
Colin McAllister |
IUP |
R-Jr. |
Boothwyn, Pa. / Chichester |
| OG |
Colten Raabe |
Slippery Rock |
R-Jr. |
Butler, Pa. / Slippery Rock |
| C |
Jeff Arnold^^ |
IUP |
R-Jr. |
Pittsburgh, Pa. / Brashear |
| TE |
Grant Smith |
IUP |
Fr. |
Harrisburg, Pa. / Central Dauphin |
| WR |
Ardell Brown^* |
Seton Hill |
Sr. |
Rochester, N.Y.  / Bishop Kearney |
| WR |
Ta'Nauz Gregory^ |
Edinboro |
Jr. |
Erie, Pa. / Cathedral Prep |
| WR |
Tyson Hill |
California |
So. |
New Kensington, Pa. / Valley |
| PK |
Jake Chapla^ |
Slippery Rock |
Jr. |
Pittsburgh, Pa. / Plum |
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PSAC FOOTBALL WESTERN DIVISION ALL-CONFERENCE DEFENSIVE FIRST TEAM
| Pos. |
Player |
School |
Cl. |
Hometown / Previous School |
| DL |
Derek Dorr^ |
Edinboro |
Sr. |
Buffalo, N.Y. / Frontier |
| DL |
Deandre Easterling* |
IUP |
Sr. |
Washington, D.C. / Gonzaga |
| DL |
Jeff Marx |
Slippery Rock |
R-Fr. |
Youngstown, Ohio / Navy |
| DL |
Dondrea Tillman^ |
IUP |
Jr. |
Sterling, Va. / Potomac Falls |
| DL |
Brandon Vocco^ |
Clarion |
Sr. |
Lilly, Pa. / Portage |
| LB |
London Cloud |
California |
Jr. |
Bedford, Ohio / Bedford |
| LB |
Damon Lloyd* |
IUP |
Jr. |
Bel Air, Md. / John Carroll |
| LB |
Chris Peluso |
Mercyhurst |
Sr. |
New Castle, Pa. / Laurel |
| LB |
Brad Zaffram |
Slippery Rock |
Jr. |
Buffalo, N.Y. / Canisius |
| DB |
Brandon Anderson* |
Edinboro |
R-Jr. |
Willingboro, N.J. / Holy Cross |
| DB |
Zuril Hendrick^ |
Edinboro |
Sr. |
Rochester, N.Y. / Pittsford Mendon |
| DB |
Lamont McPhatter* |
California |
Jr. |
New Castle, Pa. / New Castle |
| DB |
Dante Redwood* |
Mercyhurst |
Sr. |
North Ridgeville, Ohio / Grafton Midview |
| RS |
Quashah Carter |
IUP |
Fr. |
Philadelphia, Pa. / Simon Gratz |
| P |
Brendan Cole* |
Mercyhurst |
R-Jr. |
Queens, N.Y. / Saint Francis |
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PSAC FOOTBALL WESTERN DIVISION ALL-CONFERENCE OFFENSIVE SECOND TEAM
| Pos. |
Player |
School |
Cl. |
Hometown / Previous School |
| QB! |
Noah Mitchell |
California |
Fr. |
Euclid, Ohio / Euclid |
| QB! |
Lenny Williams^^* |
IUP |
R-Sr. |
McKees Rocks, Pa. / Temple |
| RB |
Nelson Brown |
California |
Jr. |
Salisbury, Md. / Wicomico |
| RB |
Justice Evans |
IUP^ |
So. |
Pittsburgh, Pa. / Central Catholic |
| RB |
Garrett Owens |
Mercyhurst |
R-Fr. |
North East, Pa. / North East |
| OT |
Joe Peterson |
IUP |
Sr. |
DuBois, Pa. / DuBois |
| OT |
Trey Staunch |
Edinboro |
Sr. |
West Middlesex, Pa. / West Middlesex |
| OG |
Josh Dauberman |
IUP |
So. |
Hughesville, Pa. / Hughesville |
| OG |
Zack Morris*^ |
Clarion |
Sr. |
Pittsburgh, Pa. / Upper St. Clair |
| C |
Christian DiGalbo |
California |
Jr. |
Secane, Pa. / Monsignor Bonner |
| TE |
Bryce Mostoller* |
Mercyhurst |
Sr. |
Somerset, Pa. / Somerset |
| WR |
James Clark* |
Edinboro |
Sr. |
Coatesville, Pa. / Coatesville |
| WR |
Jordan Dandridge |
California |
R-Jr. |
Duluth, Ga. / Duluth |
| WR |
Dontae Owens |
Gannon |
R-Jr. |
Reading, Pa. / Reading |
| PK |
Dillon Sarka^ |
IUP |
R-Jr. |
Lebanon, Ohio / Findlay |
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PSAC FOOTBALL WESTERN DIVISION ALL-CONFERENCE DEFENSIVE SECOND TEAM
| Pos. |
Player |
School |
Cl. |
Hometown / Previous School |
| DL |
Andrew Berger |
Gannon |
R-Jr. |
Altoona, Pa. / Bishop Guilfoyle |
| DL |
Jay Bullock*^ |
Gannon |
Jr. |
Philadelphia, Pa. / Archbishop Ryan |
| DL |
Noah Harris-Lyles* |
Gannon |
Jr. |
Atlantic City, N.J. / Atlantic City |
| DL |
Alec Heldreth |
Clarion |
Sr. |
Canfield, Ohio / Canfield |
| DL |
Saif Khan |
Clarion |
Jr. |
Lorton, Va. / South County |
| LB |
Nick Amendola* |
IUP |
Jr. |
North Huntingdon, Pa. / Norwin |
| LB |
Corbin Kessler^ |
Mercyhurst |
Jr. |
Harmony, Pa. / Seneca Valley |
| LB |
Rocky Owens |
Mercyhurst |
R-So. |
North East, Pa. / North East |
| LB |
Layne Skundrich^ |
Clarion |
Sr. |
Pittsburgh, Pa. / North Allegheny |
| DB |
Martel Davis |
Gannon |
R-Sr. |
Columbus, Ohio / Licking Heights |
| DB |
Eric Glover-Williams |
Slippery Rock |
Jr. |
Canton, Ohio / Ohio State |
| DB |
Kyle Hall |
Slippery Rock |
Sr. |
Canton, Ohio / Canton Glenoak |
| DB |
Shaq Jones |
IUP |
Jr. |
Philadelphia, Pa. / Iowa Western CC |
| RS |
Dante Redwood* |
Mercyhurst |
Sr. |
North Ridgeville, Ohio / Grafton Midview |
| P |
Jake Chapla^ |
Slippery Rock |
Jr. |
Pittsburgh, Pa. / Plum |
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* Indicates previous All-PSAC First Team selection
^ Indicates previous All-PSAC Second Team selection
! Indicates tie
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