Ichabod defensive back
Cary Williams picked up his second and third first team All-American awards in as he was picked for both the Little AP All-American Team and the Daktronics team as well.
On the AP team, Williams joins defensive tackle
Trey Lewis (2006) and 1964 team members halfback Bob Hardy and Dode Lesser who was named on both the offensive and defensive lines. On the Daktronics team, Williams joins defensive back
Fletcher Terrell as the only first team selection. Linebacker Grant Gould offensive lineman Rudy Sué earned second team honors in 2005 and wide receiver Michael Dritlein was a second team pick in 1995.
Williams was named unanimous first team All-MIAA at defensive back after recording 7 INT's. Williams was also named first team Daktronics All-Region earlier this season and to the AFCA All-American team on Dec. 12. He returned one interception for TD. He lead the MIAA in INT's. He ranks fifth in NCAA D2 in interceptions per game. His seven INT's is the second most in WU single-season history. He returned two kickoffs for TD's which tied a WU single-season record and is WU career record as well. Williams ranks third in the NCAA with 29.2 yards per kickoff return earning first team All-MIAA kick returner honors. His 30.0 average per kick return is a Washburn career record and his 40.6 kick return average as a senior is the second-highest single-season total in school history. His 100-yard return is tied for the longest return in school history. He finished his career with 94 tackles including 67 solo stops with 11 interceptions.
Daktronics Team
OFFENSE
TIGHT END
First Team
+Kolo Kapanui, 6-5, 255, Sr., West Texas A&M
Second Team
Dan Pickens, 6-4, 240, Sr., Indiana (Pa.)
WIDE RECEIVER
First Team
+Almonzo Banks, 6-2, 220, Sr., West Liberty State (W.Va.)
Weston Dressler, 5-8, 165, Sr., North Dakota
Second Team
Cedric Jones, 6-0, 180, So., Valdosta State (Ga.)
Johnny Knox, 6-0, 180, Jr., Abilene Christian (Texas)
Nick Smart, 6-1, 185, Sr., Southwest Baptist (Mo.)
OFFENSIVE LINE
First Team
+Brandon Barnes, 6-2, 315, Sr., Grand Valley State (Mich.)
Ben Hochstein, 6-4, 268, Sr., Nebraska-Omaha
Reid Kirby, 6-4, 300, Sr., Northwest Missouri State
Tim McCutcheon, 6-4, 305, Sr., California (Pa.)
Nathan Young, 6-3, 300, Sr., Abilene Christian
Second Team
Heath Benedict, 6-6, 335, Sr., Newberry (S.C.)
Tony Burson, 6-4, 280, Sr., Midwestern State (Texas)
Mike Butterworth, 6-7, 330, Sr., Slippery Rock (Pa.)
Sam Collins, 6-2, 270, Jr., Abilene Christian (Texas)
John Strand, 6-8, 280, Sr., Chadron State (Neb.)
QUARTERBACK
First Team
+Daniel Polk, 6-2, 202, Sr., Midwestern State (Texas)
Second Team
Mark Nicolet, 6-2, 220, Sr., Hillsdale (Mich.)
RUNNING BACK
First Team
+Xavier Omon, 5-11, 220, Sr., Northwest Missouri State
Bernard Scott, 5-11, 220, Jr., Abilene Christian (Texas)
Second Team
Dervon Wallace, 5-6, 177, Sr., Shepherd (W.Va.)
Danny Woodhead, 5-9, 200, Sr., Chadron State (Neb.)
ALL-PURPOSE BACK
First Team
+Ryan Chappell, 5-11, 193, So., North Dakota
Second Team
Ashton Gronewold, 5-10, 190, Sr., Missouri-Rolla
PLACE KICKER
First Team
+Jared Keating, 6-0, 185, Jr., Mesa State (Colo.)
Second Team
Brandon Hellevang, 5-9, 189, So., North Dakota
DEFENSE
DEFENSIVE LINE
First Team
+Kurt Kissner, 6-3, 245, Sr., Mesa State (Colo.)
Dan Skuta, 6-3, 255, Jr., Grand Valley State (Mich.)
Brandon Swain, 6-4, 255, Jr., West Texas A&M
Second Team
Kirby Griffin, 6-2, 275, Jr., California (Pa.)
Curtis Johnson, 6-4, 245, Sr., Clark Atlanta (Ga.)
Jake Visser, 6-2, 275, Jr., Ferris State (Mich.)
LINEBACKER
First Team
Anthony Adams, 6-1, 232, Sr., Grand Valley State (Mich.)
Will Clewis, 6-1, 225, Sr., Central Oklahoma
Jared Erspamer, 6-0, 235, Sr., Northwest Missouri State
+Michael Eubanks, 6-2, 225, Sr., Delta State (Miss.)
Second Team
Jared Brock, 6-1, 232, Jr., West Texas A&M
Gary Butler, 6-1, 230, Sr., California (Pa.)
Lateef Ferguson, 6-1, 220, Sr., West Chester (Pa.)
Cody Stutts, 6-0, 230, Sr., Abilene Christian (Texas)
CORNERBACK
First Team
+Darren Banks, 5-11, 180, Jr., West Liberty State (W.Va.)
Cary Williams, 6-2, 190, Sr., Washburn (Kan.)
Second Team
Brandon Carr, 6-1, 206, Sr., Grand Valley State (Mich.)
Rod Mosley, 5-10, 175, Sr., Texas A&M-Kingsville
SAFETY
First Team
Ranardrick Phillips, 5-10, 202, Sr., Tarleton State (Texas)
+Sherard Reynolds, 5-10, 175, Jr., Valdosta State (Ga.)
Second Team
Brian Bingnear, 6-0, 200, Sr., Kutztown (Pa.)
Randy Kush, 5-11, 200, Jr., Nebraska-Omaha
Kendall Ricketts, 5-10, 190, Sr., Central Missouri
PUNTER
First Team
+Michael Podobnik, 6-0, 230, Jr., Arkansas Tech
Second Team
Jace Amore, 6-0, 230, Sr., California (Pa.)
+ indicates top vote getter at a position
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
To: Division II SIDs
From: Bill Powers
Subject: 2007 Daktronics, Inc., Division II All-America Team
Date: December 13, 2006
National finalist Northwest Missouri State and two-time defending champion Grand Valley State each placed three players on the first-team to lead the 2007 Daktronics, Inc. Division II All-America Football team.
National finalist Valdosta State (Ga.) had one first-team selection and a second-teamer in the vote.
Northwest Missouri had the top-vote getter at running back in senior Xavier Omon, who has collected 2,274 yards to lead Division II and is the second-highest ground gainer in NCAA football. Omon has tallied 601 yards in the national semifinal and Southwest Region final the last two weeks.
Omon joins senior offensive lineman Reid Kirby and senior linebacker Jared Erspamer as first-team selections. Kirby was a first-team pick in 2006.
Junior safety Sherard Reynolds of national finalist Valdosta led the voting at safety and is VSU's only first-team pick. The Blazers also are represented by second-team receiver sophomore Cedric Jones.
Abilene Christian (Texas) had the most selections of any school, with five, including first-team picks in junior running back Bernard Scott and senior offensive lineman Nathan Young.
Scott rushed for a Lone Star Conference record 2,193 yards this season, with 39 touchdowns in leading ACU to the second round of the NCAA playoffs.
The two-time defending national champion Lakers, who fell in the semifinals at Northwest Missouri last week, had it's contingent led by senior Brandon Barnes who was tops in voting for offensive linmen for the second straight year. GVSU had senior linebacker Anthony Adams repeat as a first-team selection, and junior defensive lineman Dan Skuta on the first unit along with a second team pick for a total of four on the squad.
National semifinalist California (Pa.) also had four selections, led by first-team senior offensive lineman Tim McCutcheon.
Darren Banks of West Liberty State (W.Va.) joined Barnes in being a two-time leading vote-getter. Banks led all cornerbacks after snaring 13 interceptions this season.
Chadron State (Neb.) senior running back Danny Woodhead became a three-time honoree on the squad as he was chosen to the second-team by a narrow margin.
Woodhead rushed for 1,597 yards this season on his way to becoming the NCAA's all-time all-divisions leading rusher with 7,962 yards.
Delta State (Miss.) senior Michael Eubanks led all players in votes at linebacker. Eubanks, who recorded 90 tackles and 12 sacks this year, joins Scott and Woodhead as finalists for the Harlon Hill Award to be presented Friday night.
Midwestern State senior Daniel Polk was named the first-team quarterback. Polk, the only 2000-1000 collegian this season, passed for 2,487 yards and rushed for 1,089 in 11 games this season, while accounting for 35 touchdowns.
West Texas A&M senior Kolo Kapanui led the balloting at tight end, while Mesa State senior Kurt Kissner was the top balloter in the defensive line with junior teammate Jared Keating tabbed as the top kicker. West Liberty's Almonzo Banks led the wide receivers and North Dakota sophomore Ryan Chappell was the top all-purpose back.
There are a total of 14 players from the 2006 Daktronics, Inc., Division II All-America team.
North Dakota senior receiver Weston Dressler joined Adams, Banks, Barnes, Eubanks and Kirby as repeat first-team selections.
Reynolds led 2006 second-teamers to the first-team, joining Nebraska-Omaha senior offensive lineman Ben Hochstein and Central Oklahoma senior linebacker Will Clewis making the jump.
Midwestern State senior offensive lineman Tony Burson and Newberry (N.C.) senior offensive lineman Heath Benedict repeated as second-team choices. Woodhead, West Texas A&M junior linebacker Jared Brock and Grand Valley State senior cornerback Brandon Carr were 2006 first-teamer who garnered second-team honors in 2007.
In all 52 players were selected ( ties at second-team receiver and safety) with 36 of them seniors, 13 juniors, and three sophomores.
++ Daktronics, Inc. Division II Football All-American Team ++
Little AP All-American Teams
Associated Press - December 13, 2007 2:03 PM ET
Quarterback - David Knighton, junior, 6-foot-1, 225 pounds, Harding.
Running backs - Xavier Omon, senior, 5-11, 220, Northwest Missouri State; Danny Woodhead, senior, 5-9, 200, Chadron State.
Wide receivers - Weston Dressler, senior, 5-8, 164, North Dakota; Almonzo Banks, senior, 6-2, 220, West Liberty State.
Tight end - Kolo Kapanui, senior, 6-5, 255, West Texas A&M
Linemen - Ben Hochstein, senior, 6-4, 298, Nebraska-Omaha; Heath Benedict, junior, 6-6, 320, Newberry; Brandon Barnes, senior, 6-2, 322, Grand Valley State; Mackenzy Bernadeau, senior, 6-4, 303, Bentley; Tim McCutcheon, senior, 6-4, 305, California, Pa.
All-purpose player - Ashton Gronewold, senior, 5-10, 190, Missouri-Rolla.
Kicker - Jared Guberman, junior, 5-10, 190, West Georgia.
Defense
Linemen - Brandon Swain, junior, 6-4, 255, West Texas A Curtis Johnson, senior, 6-3, 245, Clark Atlanta; Kurt Kissner, senior, 6-3, 245, Mesa State; Bryan Robinson, senior, 6-3, 292, Wesley.
Linebackers - Michael Eubanks, senior, 6-2, 225, Delta State; Jerrell Freeman, senior, 6-2, 205, Mary Hardin-Baylor; Anthony Adams, senior, 6-2, 240, Grand Valley State.
Defensive backs - Randy Kush, junior, 5-10, 189, Nebraska-Omaha; Cary Williams, senior, 6-2, 190, Washburn; Kendall Ricketts, senior, 5-10, 190, Central Missouri; Matt Kostelnik, senior, 6-1, 198, Mount Union.
Punter - Michael Podobnik, junior, 6-0, 230, Arkansas Tech.
SECOND TEAM
Offense
Quarterback - Mark Nicolet, senior, Hillsdale.
Running backs - Bernard Scott, junior, Abilene Christian; Justin Beaver, senior, Wisconsin-Whitewater.
Wide receivers - Scott Peters, senior, Winona State; Cedric Jones, sophomore, Valdosta State.
Linemen - Brandon Bennett, senior, Williamette; Derek Blanchard, senior, Mount Union; Tony Burson, senior, Midwestern State; Vince Cashdollar, senior, Ashland; Christian Morton, senior, South Dakota.
Tight end - Mike Peterson, senior, Northwest Missouri State.
All-purpose player - De'Audra Dix, senior, Johnson C. Smith.
Kicker - Tyler Lorenz, sophomore, California, Pa.
Defense
Linemen - Louis Ellis, junior, Shaw; Mike Czerwien, senior, Waynesburg; Jake Visser, junior, Ferris State; Dan Skutta, junior, Grand Valley State
Linebackers - Jared Brock, junior, West Texas A Lateef Ferguson, senior, West Chester; Adrian Pynenberg, senior, Wabash.
Defensive backs - Ranardrick Phillips, senior, Tarleton State; Brandon Carr, senior, Grand Valley State; Brandon Carr, senior, Bethel; Sherard Reynolds, junior, Valdosta State.
Punter - Alex Groh, sophomore, Occidental.
THIRD TEAM
Offense
Quarterback - Greg Micheli, junior, Mount Union.
Running backs - Nate Kmic, junior, Mount Union; Devron Wallace, senior, Shepherd.
Wide receivers - Elfren Quiles, senior, Kutztown; Jake Allen, senior, Mississippi College.
Tight end - Bryan Bergman, senior, Carthage.
Linemen - Caleb Woodall, senior, Mary Hardin-Baylor; Reid Kirby, junior, Northwest Missouri State; Patrick Gildea, senior, Southern Connecticut; J.D. Whited, senior, North Alabama; Brennan Fortune, senior, St. John Fisher.
All-purpose player - Tyler Sherden, senior, Luther.
Kicker - Jeff Schebler, sophomore, Wisconsin-Whitewater.
Defense
Linemen - Don Miller, senior, Alfred; Ron Ellington, senior, Catawba; Kirby Griffin, junior, California, Pa.; Pat McCullough, senior, Mount Union.
Linebackers - Will Clewis, senior, Central Oklahoma; Kyle Follweiler, senior, Wilkes; Jared Erspamer, senior, Northwest Missouri State.
Defensive backs - Nick Weber, senior, Wartburg; Clay Hamblen, senior, Georgetown, Ky.; Broderick Mondy, senior, Northeastern State; Chris Hemphill, senior, Central Washington.
Punter - Brandon Larkin, senior, Clark Atlanta.
