Carson-Newman, Catawba, Tusculum Lead SAC All-Conference Football Team; Samples, Colclough Named Players of Year

ROCK HILL, S.C. - Carson-Newman College, Catawba College and Tusculum College, which finished in a three-way tie for the league championship, dominated the 2003 South Atlantic Conference All-Conference Football Team, announced today by the league office.

It was only the second time in 29 years of football competition that the league title was shared by three schools. Carson-Newman, Catawba and Lenoir-Rhyne shared the title in 1988.

Carson-Newman and Tusculum each placed 14 on the All-Conference Team, with each school placing seven on the First Team and seven on the Second Team. Catawba had 12 All-Conference selections, with a league-high eight making First Team.

Catawba quarterback Luke Samples, who threw for 2,785 yards and 21 touchdowns this season was named the SAC's Offensive Player of the Year. His season passing total is the seventh-best in conference history. His career total of 6,992 yards is the fifth highest in conference history.

Tusculum defensive back Ricardo Colclough, who led the conference with 11 interceptions and 24 passes defended, was named the SAC's Defensive Player of the Year. Colclough ranked in the top five nationally in both of those categories. He also was a First Team All-Conference selection at both defensive back and return specialist, leading the conference in both kickoff and punt returns.

Mars Hill quarterback Brandon Sims was named the SAC's Offensive Freshman of the Year. He had 315 yards rushing, with three touchdowns, and passed for 453 yards and four touchdowns.

Catawba defensive lineman Marcus Huntley was named the SAC's Defensive Freshman of the Year. He had 42 total tackles, eight tackles for loss for minus 50 yards, five sacks and 13 quarterback hurries. He recovered three fumbles, which tied him for first in that category.

Carson-Newman College veteran coach Ken Sparks was named Coach of the Year, winning the award for the 11th time in his career.

The SAC Scholar Athlete Award for football went to Tusculum College senior linebacker Craig Pritchett, who wins the award for the second year in a row. Pritchett, who was a First Team All-Conference selection, carries a 3.73 GPA as a graphic design major. He was the 2000 SAC Defensive Freshman of the Year, and is fifth in Tusculum College history in total tackles and second in career tackles for loss. He has been named to the SAC Commissioner's Honor Roll, the Tusculum Athletic Director's Honor Roll, the Tusculum Dean's List and President's List. Pritchett, from Rossville, GA (Ridgeland HS) is also very active in the community. He is a mentor for Greeneville, TN, area youth, volunteers with a reading program at local elementary schools, a Read Across America volunteer, is a tutor for disabled children, developed a nature walk for local elementary schools, participated in a teen cessation forum at local high schools and in the Adopt-A-Highway litter pickup program. His community service efforts earned him a spot on the 2003 American Football Coaches Association Good Works Team, one of three Division II players honored.

Tusculum offensive lineman Alan Dunn, a three-time first-team All-SAC selection and a Football Gazette and Associated Press All-American last year, received the Jacobs Blocking Trophy, which goes to the top lineman or blocking back in the conference.

Carson-Newman and Tusculum each had 14 All-Conference selections. The Eagles, who will be making their ninth trip to the NCAA Division II playoffs in the past 11 years, rank first in the nation in rushing offense per game. The Eagles have three offensive lineman, including two on the First Team, as well as two running backs, on the All-Conference Team.

Tusculum also placed 14 on the squad and seven on the First Team. The Pioneers rank first in NCAA Division II in rushing defense and are well represented on the defensive side of the ball. Along with two-position selection Colclough, the Pioneers placed three defensive backs, two linebackers and two defensive lineman on the All-Conference Team.

Catawba put 12 total on the squad, with eight on the First Team, including quarterback Samples, running back Rodney Wallace and three offensive lineman. Lineman Khanis Hubbard, linebacker SaMario Houston and defensive back Jamel Jackson were all First Team selections on defense.

Wingate University placed six on the All-Conference Team, with four First Team Selections. Chris Brewer was a First Team selection at both punter and placekicker. Defensive end John Bowman, who is fourth in the NCAA in sacks per game, was also a First Team pick.

Mars Hill placed four on the team, with three First Team selections, including standout wide receiver Rod DeWalt, who broke or tied three school records this season.

Lenoir-Rhyne also placed four on the team, with all four selections on the Second Team.

Presbyterian and Newberry each placed three on the roster. Presbyterian's lone First Team selection was defensive lineman Teddy Canty.

The head coaches in the conference select the All-Conference teams.

A complete list of the 2003 South Atlantic All-Conference Team follows:

2003 All-SAC FOOTBALL TEAMS

First Team Offense
QB - Luke Samples, CAT
WR - Corey Ready, CAT
WR - Rod DeWalt, MH
WR - Kevin Wolcott, TC
RB - J.J. Chatmon, C-N
RB - Rodney Wallace, CAT
RB - Antonio Hailstock, WU
TE - Leonard Weaver, C-N
OL - Bakari Wilkerson, C-N
OL - Reggie Perkins, C-N
OL - Joe Nixon, CAT
OL - Cole Bean, CAT
OL - Alan Dunn, TC
PK - Chris Brewer, WU
LS - Matt Ball, TC
First Team Defense
DL - Clarence Glymph, C-N
DL - Khanis Hubbard, CAT
DL - Tellex Lanham, MH
DL - Teddy Canty, PC
DL - John Bowman, WU
LB - Eric Solomon, C-N
LB - SaMario Houston, CAT
LB - Craig Pritchett, TC
LB - Shawn Harris, TC
DB - Avery Blue, C-N
DB - Jamel Jackson, CAT
DB - Michael Grant, MH
DB - Ricardo Colclough, TC
P - Chris Brewer, WU
RS - Ricardo Colclough, TC

Second Team Offense
QB - Shane Kelly, C-N
QB - Tony Colston, TC
WR - Aaron Caldwell, L-R
WR - Tymere Zimmerman, NEW
WR - Terry Meng, PC
RB - Ray Hightower, C-N
RB - Mario Crowe, CAT
RB - Cedric Johnson, MH
TE - John Vernon, CAT
OL - Justin Anderson, C-N
OL - Daniel Lynch, CAT
OL - Feliz Perez, TC
OL - Mario Leon, TC
OL - Marcus Johnson, WU
PK - Angel Gonzalez, C-N
LS - Justin Anderson, C-N
Second Team Defense
DL - Germon Spence, C-N
DL - Reggie Tucker, CAT
DL - Mike Hobbs, TC
DL - Lee Hughes, Jr., TC
LB - Adam Mosher, L-R
LB - Terrance Leverett, NEW
LB - David Behrendsen, PC
LB - Demarkes Dogan, WU
DB - Deonte Bolden, C-N
DB - Roy Dawkins, L-R
DB - Antyone Sims, TC
DB - D.J. Starling, TC
P - Jeff Williams, NEW
RS - Quentin Roman, L-R

Player of the Year
OFF: Luke Samples, CAT
DEF: Ricardo Colclough, TC

Freshman of the Year
OFF: Brandon Sims, MH
DEF: Marcus Huntley, CAT

Coach of the Year
Ken Sparks, C-N

Jacobs Blocking
Alan Dunn, TC

SAC Scholar Athlete
Craig Pritchett, TC