Glendale, Ariz.- When the SAC announced the All-Sooner Athletic Conference Football Teams on Wednesday, Arizona Christian lead the way with 22 selections. The Firestorm were named five of the seven "of the Year" highlighted by Head Coach Jeff Bowen- Coach of the Year- and Sophomore Riley Tucker- Defensive Player of the Year. ACU received nine first team honors.
Along with Bowen and Tucker for the "of the Year" awards, Senior Jon Cole was named the Athlete of the Year, Junior Shea Morales was voted the Newcomer of the Year, and Maurice Powell was picked as the Freshman of the Year.
Coach Bowen collected the Coach of the Year votes thanks to Arizona Christian going 6-0 in SAC action to win the conference championship.
Joining Tucker on the All-SAC First Team- Defense was Junior Dezmon Dean, Sophomore Anthony Nicastro, Junior Deonsaye Dean, and Senior Jacob Hernandez.
At the conclusion of the regular season, the ACU defensive unit had only allowed a SAC leading 20.3 points per game and were second with 304.6 yards per game. In their six SAC contests, the Firestorm allowed just 14.7 points and 277.8 yards per game- both fewest allowed in conference.
Offensively, the All-SAC First Teamers were Cole, Senior Kel Lee McPeck, Junior Aidan Quinn, and Senior Sid Turnbull-Frazier.
The Firestorm averaged a SAC high 35 points per game in their 10 regular season games. In their six conference games, ACU averaged one point more with their 36 points per game. ACU was second in the SAC with 447.7 yards per regular season contest.
Sophomore Nestor Higuera lead the ACU All-SAC First Team Special Teams selection. Cole joined Higuera as a first team returner.
Coach Bowen commented, "We are very excited about the Firestorm that made the All-Conference football teams. A lot of hard work went into this season, and now they are seeing some of the fruits of their labor. We are also very proud of the Firestorm that helped them get there. Teammates that played next to them and help them succeed."
The All-Sooner Athletic Conference athletes for ACU Football are:
First Team- Offense
Jon Cole- Wide Receiver, SR, Two Time All-SAC
Kel Lee McPeck- Offensive Lineman, SR, Two Time All-SAC
Sid Turnbull-Frazier- Tight End/Slot Receiver, SR
Aidan Quinn- Running Back, JR, Three Time All-SAC
First Team- Defense
Deonsaye Dean- Defensive Lineman, JR
Dezmon Dean- Defensive Lineman, JR
Jacob Hernandez, Linebacker, SR
Anthony Nicastro- Defensive Lineman, SO
Riley Tucker- Defensive Back, SO, Two Time All-SAC
First Team- Special Teams
Nestor Higuera- Kicker, SO, Two Time All-SAC
Jon Cole- Kick Returner, SR, Two Time All-SAC
Second Team- Offense
Matt Totah- Offensive Lineman, SR
Ryan Vanderwerf- Offensive Lineman, JR
Luke Verbalaitis- Offensive Lineman, SO
Second Team Defense
Maurice Powell, Defensive Lineman, FR
Mitchel Jackson, Defensive Back, SO
Clay Branton III, Defensive Back, SR
Second Team- Special Teams
Jon Cole- Punt Returner, SR, Two Time All-SAC
Honorable Mention
Derek Anderson- Wide Receiver, FR
Sean Bailey, Jr.- Punter, JR
Jalyn Mitchell- Defensive Lineman, JR
Shea Morales- Quarterback, JR
Jesus Reyna- Offensive Lineman, FR
For the complete list of the All-SAC Football teams- click here.
Great work, Firestorm!
#RollStorm
