CLARION, Pa. - The awards keep rolling in this off season for the West Chester University football squad. The Golden Rams landed 10 players on the 2018
Don Hansen Football Gazette All-Super Region 1 team with four of those honorees earning first team accolades.
First team picks included:
Tyler Drob (Cherry Hill, N.J./Cherry Hill East),
Diquan Gilbert (Philadelphia, Pa./Comm. Tech),
Tyler Morrissey (Springfield, Pa./Springfield-DELCO) and
Jarey Elder (Allentown, Pa./Parkland). The second team was headed up by quarterback
A.J. Long (Bethlehem, Pa./Friendship Christian [Tenn.]). He was joined by
Shaquille Ryder (Philadelphia, Pa./Imhotep Charter) and
Shaquille James (Philadelphia, Pa./West Catholic). The third team was represented by
Mark Dukes (Pottstown, Pa./Pottsgrove),
Andrew Chegia (Kennett Square, Pa./Unionville) and
Brendan Paulison (Milford, Pa./Delaware Valley).
An Associated Press (AP) All-America and D2Football.com All-America selection, along with being named a finalist for the Gene Upshaw Award, Drob started all 11 games on the Golden Rams' offensive line at left guard. He helped West Chester finish 10-1 overall and win the school's first outright conference championship since 1971. Along the way, West Chester led the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) in rushing, averaging 204.5 rushing yards per game. The Golden Rams also led the PSAC in scoring offense and was third in total offense. West Chester racked up 2,249 rushing yards and 28 touchdowns on the season as well.
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.
Morrissey, a preseason All-America selection, Division II AP All-America and D2Football.com All-America, has been well represented on post-season teams. He was chosen Division II Associated Press (AP) first team All-America, American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Division II first team All-America and a D2 CCA second team All-America prior to this latest honor. The Golden Rams' middle linebacker finished 2018 with a team-best 86 tackles, including 10 of those for a loss and 8.5 of those counting as a sack. He also forced three fumbles and recovered one while coming up with a clutch blocked field goal in the final five minutes of a win at Bloomsburg that preserved a 17-14 victory.
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Elder burst onto the scene with a spectacular season at free safety for the Golden Rams. He finished 2018 third on the team in tackles with 46 (31 solo; 15 assisted). He intercepted seven passes, which marked the most in a single season by a Golden Rams player since 1983 and also tied him for the second most in a single season all-time. Elder was credited with three more pass breakups and one forced fumble. This is Elders' second first team All-America citation, after being named an All-American by the AFCA last month.
Long earned a spot on the second 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.
James, a first team All-PSAC East pick, 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. 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.
Dukes 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. Chegia 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. 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.
