Newberry’s Benedict, Wingate’s Jones Named To d2football All-America Team

ROCK HILL, S.C. - Two football players from the South Atlantic Conference have been named to the First Team All-America Team by d2football.com, while three more earned honorable mention honors.

Newberry College offensive lineman Heath Benedict and Wingate University cornerback/return specialist were both named to the First Team. This is the second time that Benedict has been named to a first team all-american team. In December, he was named to the Little All-American First Team by the Associated Press.

Benedict, a junior from Greer, S.C., anchored an offensive line that lead the league in rushing yardage and paved paths for 1,000-yard rusher Alex Haynes. He graded out at over 90 percent on the season and recorded over 100 knockdown blocks in 2006. Benedict has been a steady recipient of postseason honors. He was a First Team All-Southeast Region and Second Team All-American selection by Daktronics and was named to the All-Southeast Region First Team by d2football.com. Benedict was also an All-South Atlantic Conference First Team selection and was the recipient of the Jacobs Blocking Trophy, given annually to the league's top blocker.

Jones started all 11 games at cornerback for Wingate in 2006. A first team All-South Atlantic Conference performer for the second year in a row, Jones recorded four interceptions in his senior campaign to bring his career total to 15. Jones also made 24 tackles (14 solo, 10 assists) in 2006 and knocked down 12 passes.

In a contest that pitted number 17 Newberry College and number 22 Wingate University on Oct. 21, Jones accounted for eight of the Bulldogs' 24 points on a 78-yard touchdown catch and a blocked punt for a safety.

Jones also made an impact on the offensive side of the football in 2006. He notched two receptions for two touchdowns, with an average of 62.5 yards per catch. The two receiving touchdowns in 2006, combined with his three interception returns for scores in his three previous seasons, give him a total of five visits to the end zone in his career.

In November, Jones was selected to play in the 2007 Hula Bowl. Jones is the first Bulldog to earn a spot in the Hula Bowl. He will play for the East Team. The all-star game is in its 61st year. ESPN will televise the game live on Sunday, January 14, 2007 at 8:30 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time). In addition, Jones was named to the 2006 Daktronics All-Southeast Region football second team in November and the AFCA All-America team.

In 2005, Jones intercepted five passes and made 37 tackles (30 solo, seven assists). Jones had 10 pass deflections and one forced fumble. Jones was a first team All-SAC selection. He had three interceptions, returning one for a touchdown in a big SAC win over Lenoir-Rhyne. Jones was SAC Player of the Week twice in 2004 (Sept. 25 and Oct. 9). He led the Bulldogs with six interceptions and contributed 34 tackles as a sophomore in 2004.

Two other Newberry players earned honorable mention honors. Seniors Josh Stepp and Tymere Zimmerman each earned honorable mention accolades. Stepp, a native of Pelion, S.C., leaves Newberry as the most prolific passer in school history. He was named to the All-SAC First Team and was named the league's Offensive Player of the Year, passing for 2,593 yards and 28 touchdowns. Zimmerman will leave as the school's most prolific pass receiver, holding every single-season and career receiving record at Newberry. He earned his third-straight All-SAC First Team honor this season and became the league's career leader in receptions with 250.

Catawba defensive lineman Ron Ellington, the SAC's Defensive Player of the Year, also earned honorable mention honors. Ellington was named the South Atlantic Conference Defensive Player of the Year, leading the league in sacks with 8.5 this season and posting a team-leading 74 tackles.

The d2football.com All-American team was chosen by the staff of d2football.com with the input of coaches, sport information directors, and members of the media. The team is comprised of the top 100 players in NCAA Division II football in 2006.

For more information, go to www.d2football.com