Shepherd University Athletics

Monte Cater

Dan Peters

CATER, PETERS HEAD WVIAC AWARD WINNERS; SIXTEEN RAMS HONORED

PRINCETON, WV -- Head coach Monte Cater and junior free safety Dan Peters (Cresson, PA/Penn Cambria HS) of the Shepherd University football team claimed two of three top awards handed down by the West Virginia Conference today. Cater gained WVIAC Coach of the Years honors for a record seventh time in his career. Peters became the first Ram to capture WVIAC Defensive Player of the Year honors since Greg Stup in 1996. Glenville State's record setting quarterback Joey Conrad was tabbed WVIAC Offensive Player of the Year.

Cater is the league's Coach of the Year for a second consecutive season. The 1971 graduate of Millikin University became the conference's all-time winningest coach earlier this season and owns a 129-67-1 record during his 19 years at Shepherd. The seven-time WVIAC Coach of the Year is 160-90-2 in 25 seasons as a head coach.

The Rams enter the NCAA Division II playoffs as the top seed in the Northeast Region. Shepherd has won a school-best 18 consecutive contests and will become the first West Virginia school to host a D-II football post-season contest when they face the winner of the West Chester-C.W. Post contest on November 19.

Peters has played a key role on a Shepherd defense that ranks among the national top ten in five major categories. His 12 interceptions is the most by an individual at any level of collegiate football in 2005 and set a new conference single season mark.

Peters picked off a pass in eight contests, including a four-interception effort in a win over West Liberty State. He added 46 tackles, 25 of which were solo stops for the unbeaten Rams. SU leads Division II in pass efficiency defense and turnover margin.

Shepherd had 16 players earn All-WVIAC honors including a league-best 10 first team selections. Joining Peters on the first team were junior kicker/punter Ricky Schmitt (Virginia Beach, VA/Salem HS) senior offensive lineman Jimmy Violand (Columbia, MD/Oakland Mills HS), sophomore running back Dervon Wallace (Lusby, MD/Calvert HS), senior defensive end Dan Gallagher (Harrisburg, PA/Central Dauphin HS), junior defensive end Andre Henderson (Bowie, MD/Eleanor Roosevelt HS), junior defensive lineman Nick Costello (Gaithersburg, MD/Quince Orchard HS), junior linebacker Todd Edmondson (Finksburg, MD/ Westminster, MD), and senior cornerback Dustin Dudinski (Sterling, VA/Park View HS).

Schmitt gained first team honors as both a punter and a kicker. Schmitt, a first team selection as punter in 2004, punted 62 times for a 37.8 average with 25 downed inside the 20-yard line. Only 22 of his punts were returned. He also connected on 10-of-14 field goals and 47-of-51 extra points to score 77 points. He was a three-time conference player of the week honoree.

Violand, arguably the team's top offensive lineman and a second team selection last season, helped pave the way for Wallace to set numerous records.

Wallace rushed for 1,311 yards and set new Shepherd single season marks for most points (150), most touchdowns (25) and most rushing touchdowns (24). Wallace did not become a starter until midway through the season.

Gallagher had 42 tackles with 28 solo stops. He tied for the team lead in sacks with five and was second in tackles-for-loss with 13. He also forced four fumbles and recovered three more.

Henderson was fourth on the team in tackles with 53 (27 solo). He led the team in tackles-for-loss with 14 and added three sacks. He also forced a pair of fumbles, recoverd another, and returned an interception for a touchdown.

Costello recorded 30 tackles (17 solo) on the year. He tied for the team lead in sacks with five and recorded 10 tackles-for-loss. Costello also added four pass breakups.

Edmondson was third on the team in tackles with 58 (27 solo) despite missing three games due to an injury. He added 11 tackles-for-loss, a sack, and forced a pair of fumbles.

Dudinski gained first teams at cornerback for the second straight year. He recorded 42 tackles (22 solo) with two tackles-for-loss. Dudinski also has a team-best 11 pass breakups to go along with three interceptions. An honorable mention choice at return specialist, Dudinski averaged 14.5 yards in punt returns and 21.6 yards in kickoff returns.

Second team selections for the Rams were senior linebacker Jeremy Bailey (Culpeper, VA/ Culpeper HS), junior quarterback Dan Chleboswki (Greencastle, PA/ Greencastle-Antrim HS), and sophomore offensive lineman Ryan Pope (Elkridge, MD/Long Reach HS).

Bailey topped the Rams with 71 tackles (41 solo) this season. He also added 11 tackles-for-loss, two interceptions, and a sack. His pass breakup of a two-point conversion attempt in the game's final moments helped preserve a 34-32 win over Shippensburg.

Chlebowski completed 134-of-211 passes for 1,518 yards and 12 touchdowns while posting a 136.07 quarterback efficiency rating.

Pope was a main cog in the Rams offensive line that allowed a league-low 10 sacks and paved the way standout Dervon Wallace.

Earning honorable mention honors along with Dudinski were junior wide receiver Rodney Jackson (Severn, MD/Meade HS) and sophomore defensive back Jerome Quinata (Woodbridge, VA/C.D. Hylton HS).

Jackson was the team's leading receiver with 38 receptions for 544 yards and three touchdowns.

Quinata recorded 49 tackles (34 solo) on the year. He added seven tackles-for-loss and a sack. Quinata also contributed two interceptions, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and a blocked kick.

Junior offensive lineman Clayton Beard (Shippensburg, PA/Shippensburg HS) and sophomore wide receiver Mark Springirth (Germantown, MD/Watkins Mill HS) were special honorable mention selections.

Beard, a first year starter at center for the Rams, was a key in the Ram offensive line. Springirth recorded 33 receptions for 398 yards and tied for team-high touchdown receptions honors with four. He gained WVIAC Player of the Week for his standout effort in Shepherd's 34-32 win over Shippensburg.

The complete team follows:

All-WVIAC 1st Team Offense:

OL-Nick Babal (West Liberty State, Sr., 6-5, 305, Brookpark, OH)

OL-Aaron Hill (West Virginia State, Sr., 6-4, 295, Cincinnati, OH)

OL-Kevin McAuley (Charleston, Sr., 6-6, 325, Petaluma, CA)

OL-Freddie Persinger (Glenville State, Sr., 6-0, 250, Weston, WV)

OL-James Violand (Shepherd, Sr., 6-3, 285, Columbia, MD)

TE-Emery Williams (Glenville State, Soph., 6-4, 250, Cleveland, OH, 33 receptions, 7 TD's)

QB-Joey Conrad (Glenville State, Sr., 6-4, 235, Logan, OH, 3696 pass yards, 33 pass TD's)

RB-Wendell Johnson (Fairmont State, Jr., 6-0, 185, Miami, FL, 904 rush yards)

RB-Derrick Stickles (West Liberty State, Sr., 6-0, 205, New Cumberland, WV, 1458 rush yds, 2230 all-purpose yds)

RB-Dervon Wallace (Shepherd, Soph., 5-8, 175, Lusby, MD, 1311 rush yds, 150 points)

WR-Tavon McGee (Glenville State, Jr., 6-3, 180, Randallstown, MD, 63 rec., 831 yds)

WR-Bryan Overton (West Virginia Wesleyan, Soph., 6-2, 193, Wexford, PA, 52 rec., 1183 yds, 12 TD's)

WR-Renard Stevens (West Liberty State, Jr., 6-5, 215, Washington, DC, 69 rec., 1016 yds, 13 TD's)

All-WVIAC 1st Team Defense:

DE-Dan Gallagher (Shepherd, Sr., 5-9, 220, Harrisburg, PA, 13 TFL)

DE-Andre Henderson (Shepherd, Jr., 6-0, 250, Bowie, MD, 14 TFL)

DL-Robert Carrick (Charleston, Sr., 5-10, 250, Cathedral City, CA, 10 sacks, 17 TFL)

DL-Nick Costello (Shepherd, Jr., 6-2, 300, Gaithersburg, MD, 10 TFL)

DL-Brian Hefner (Glenville State, Sr., 6-1, 275, Camden, WV, 11 TFL)

DL-Tanner McCoy (West Liberty State, Sr., 6-4, 305, Glen Easton, WV, 42 TT, 6 TFL)

LB-Todd Edmondson (Shepherd, Jr., 5-10, 215, Finksburg, MD, 58 TT, 11 TFL)

LB-Jacquez Taylor (Glenville State, Soph., 5-10, 240, Gaithersburg, MD, 97 TT)

LB-Matt Vance (Fairmont State, Sr., 6-1, 245, Seneca Rocks, WV, 110 TT, 3 FR)

LB-Darryl Wilson (Concord, Sr., 6-0, 235, Woodbridge, VA, 140 TT, 26 TFL)

DB-Dustin Dudinski (Shepherd, Sr., 5-8, 175, Sterling, VA, 11 PBU, 3 INT)

DB-Kashif Ealey (Glenville State, Jr., 5-9, 175, Rand, WV, 11 PBU, 9 INT)

DB-Dan Peters (Shepherd, Jr., 6-0, 210, Cresson, PA, 12 INT)

DB-Ian Whittington (West Liberty State, Soph., 5-10, 185, Chester, WV, 79 TT, 7 INT)

All-WVIAC 1st Team Special Teams:

P-Ricky Schmitt (Shepherd, Jr., 6-2, 195, Virginia Beach, VA, 37.8 yards per punt)

K-Ricky Schmitt (Shepherd, Jr., 6-2, 195, Virginia Beach, VA, 10-14 FG, 47-51 PAT)

KR-Derrick Stickles (West Liberty State, Sr., 6-0, 205, New Cumberland, WV, 28.6 yards per ko return)

All-WVIAC 2nd Team Offense:

OL-Nathan Anderson (Glenville State, Sr., 6-4, 315, Salem, VA)

OL-Andrew Dennis (Glenville State, Jr., 6-7, 280, Salvisa, KY)

OL-Marcal Lazenby (Glenville State, Jr., 5-11, 280, Dunwoody, GA)

OL-Ryan Pope (Shepherd, Soph., 6-4, 300, Elkridge, MD)

OL-Kyle Robinette (Fairmont State, Soph., 6-3, 285, West Allegheny, PA)

OL-James Watts (Concord, Jr., 6-4, 290, Staunton, VA)

TE-Brad Wilt (WV Wesleyan, Jr., 6-3, 246, Salem, WV)

QB-Dan Chlebowski (Shepherd, Jr., 6-4, 195, Greencastle, PA)

QB-Marc Kimes (West Virginia Wesleyan, Sr., 6-0, 213, Vienna, WV)

RB-Blake Burr (Charleston, Jr., 5-8, 190, Lindenwold, NJ)

RB-T.R. Dues (West Virginia Wesleyan, Jr., 5-9, 163, South Charleston, WV)

RB-Jo Jo Parker (Fairmont State, Jr., 5-6, 173, Portsmouth, OH)

WR-James Boyd (WVU Tech, Soph., 6-1, 205, District Heights, MD)

WR-Kenneth Davis (West Virginia State, Sr., 6-1, 210, Eskdale, WV)

WR-DaMon Lindsey (Glenville State, Jr., 6-1, 185, Walnut, CA)

All-WVIAC 2nd Team Defense:

DE-Kevin Dixon (West Liberty State, Soph., 6-1, 235, Charles Town, WV)

DE-Michael Harden (Glenville State, Jr., 6-3, 230, Youngstown, OH)

DL-Tamaspeni Brown (Glenville State, Jr., 6-2, 290, Salt Lake City, UT)

DL-Mike Charles (WVU Tech, Jr., 6-2, 265, Lake Charles, LA)

DL-Robert Nyikuli (West Liberty State, Sr., 6-0, 295, Silver Spring, MD)

DL-Jesse Valentine (Fairmont State, Soph., 6-0, 305, Fairmont, WV)

LB-Jeremy Bailey (Shepherd, Sr., 6-1, 240, Culpeper, VA)

LB-Eugene Chop (West Virginia State, Soph., 6-1, 215, Bowie, MD)

LB-Dennis Stanton (Glenville State, Sr., 5-11, 200, Pensacola, FL)

LB-Derek Stotts (West Virginia State, Sr., 6-0, 235, San Bernardino, CA)

DB-Rodney Hughey (Concord, Jr., 6-1, 210, Detroit, MI)

DB-Corrnel Norman (Glenville State, Sr., 6-2, 215, Compton, CA)

DB-Josh Skidmore (Fairmont State, Sr., 5-7, 205, Junior, WV)

DB-Brandon Truesdale (West Virginia State, Soph., 5-11, 155, Fayetteville, GA)

All-WVIAC 2nd Team Special Teams:

P-Nathan Beard (West Virginia State, Fr., 5-11, 180, Westbland, MI)

K-Alex Amick (Glenville State, Fr., 6-0, 170, Clendenin, WV)

K-Mike Hibbert (West Virginia Wesleyan, Soph., 5-10, 180, Brooksville, FL)

KR-Robert Savoy (West Virginia State, Sr., 6-0, 200, Lanham, MD)

All-WVIAC Honorable Mention Offense:

OL-Ryan Dearman (West Virginia Wesleyan, Soph., 5-10, 280, Parkersburg, WV)

OL-Robert Henning (Fairmont State, Sr., 6-3, 295, Prince Frederick, MD)

OL-Josh Whetstone (West Liberty State, Soph., 6-2, 275, Millersport, OH)

TE-Justin Llewellyn (Fairmont State, Sr., 6-2, 240, Fort Ashby, WV)

QB-Jay Gullion (West Liberty State, Jr., 6-2, 205, Waverly, OH)

QB-Corey Isner (Charleston, Jr., 6-2, 188, Ripley, WV)

RB-Niko Edwards (Charleston, Sr., 5-9, 185, West Point, MS)

WR-Robbie Graham (Fairmont State, Jr., 5-7, 165, Gaithersburg, MD)

WR-Rodney Jackson (Shepherd, Jr., 5-11, 175, Severn, MD)

WR-Alex Puente (West Virginia Wesleyan, Soph., 6-3, 200, Deerfield Beach, FL)

WR-Josh Romeo (Fairmont State, Sr., 6-0, 200, Ravenswood, WV)

WR-Leo Thomas (WVU Tech, Soph., 5-11, 180, Wallback, WV)

All-WVIAC Honorable Mention Defense:

DE-Manny Frias (Charleston, Sr., 6-3, 230, El Paso, TX)

DE-Brandon Geary (Fairmont State, Soph., 6-4, 230, Fairmont, WV)

DE-Gary Hinton (Glenville State, Sr., 6-3, 225, Akron, OH)

DL-Will Schaffer (Charleston, Sr., 6-1, 245, Fullerton, CA)

LB-Mingo Brown (WVU Tech, Sr., 6-3, 265, Los Angeles, CA)

LB-Tan Hofoka (Charleston, Sr., 6-0, 200, Stockton, CA)

LB-Aaron Hoxie (West Virginia Wesleyan, Jr., 5-11, 225, Hemet, CA)

LB-J.J. Guida (West Liberty State, Soph., 6-0, 206, Weirton, WV)

LB-Ed Lockett (Charleston, Sr., 6-2, 230, Aberdeen, MS)

LB-John Marano (Fairmont State, Jr., 6-0, 235, Dearborn, MI)

LB-Butch Marshall (WVU Tech, Sr., 5-10, 235, Pontiac, MI)

LB-Demichael Nesbitt (West Virginia State, Soph., 5-10, 220, Tampa, FL)

LB-Jerome Quinata (Shepherd, Soph., 5-9, 200, Woodbridge, VA)

LB-Jared Sams (Fairmont State, Jr., 6-4, 215, Alderson, WV)

DB-Robert Harris (Charleston, Sr., 6-0, 155, Greensboro, NC)

DB-Shawn Jemison (Fairmont State, Sr., 6-0, 205, Rochester, NY)

DB-David Pickett (Charleston, Fr., 5-9, 175, Vero Beach, FL)

DB-Domonique Staten (West Virginia Wesleyan, Soph., 5-8, 173, Baltimore, MD)

DB-Vincent Tweed (Charleston, Jr., 5-9, 170, Riverside, CA)

DB-Matt Vujaklya (Fairmont State, Fr., 6-2, 205, East Liverpool, OH)

All-WVIAC Honorable Mention Special Teams:

P-Mike Hibbert (West Virginia Wesleyan, Soph., 5-10, 180, Brooksville, FL)

K-Adam Blasquez (West Virginia State, Fr., 6-0, 180, Falmouth, ME)

K-Billy Hager (West Liberty State, Fr., 5-8, 160, Ocala, FL)

KR-Dustin Dudinski (Shepherd, Sr., 5-8, 175, Sterling, VA)

KR-T.R. Dues (West Virginia Wesleyan, Jr., 5-9, 163, South Charleston, WV)

KR-Aaron Hewlett (Concord, Fr., 5-7, 160, Virginia Beach, VA)

All-WVIAC Special Honorable Mention Offense:

OL-Clayton Beard (Shepherd, Jr., 6-0, 265, Shippensburg, PA)

RB-Torrince Ruth (Concord, Sr., 5-10, 195, Plant City, FL)

RB-Ben Vance (West Virginia Wesleyan, Soph., 5-10, 210, Seneca Rocks, WV)

WR-Augustino Adams (Charleston, Sr., 5-6, 145, Inglewood, CA)

WR-Dujuan Johnson (Glenville State, Jr., 6-0, 185, Roanoke, VA)

WR-Derick Patterson (Glenville State, Jr., 6-1, 200, Panama City, FL)

WR-Mark Springirth (Shepherd, Soph., 6-1, 175 Germantown, MD)

All-WVIAC Special Honorable Mention Defense:

DL-Nick Sworden (West Virginia Wesleyan, Sr., 6-1, 240, Washington, PA)

LB-Drew Cannon (West Liberty State, Soph., 5-11, 225, New Lexington, OH)

LB-Aaron Poling (West Liberty State, Jr., 6-2, 235, Glen Easton, WV)

LB-Robert Sabbatini (Concord, Sr., 6-2, 235, Jonesville, VA)

DB-Kyle Miller (Fairmont State, Soph., 5-10, 195, Kents Store, VA)

DB-Chris Rotella (Charleston, Fr., 5-9, 170, Gahanna, OH)

All-WVIAC Special Honorable Mention Special Teams:

KR/RB/DB-Ricarlo Ross (WVU Tech, Sr., 5-10, 190, Lancaster, SC)

LS-Dustin Cogar (Fairmont State, Sr., 6-0, 265, Weston, WV)