Football places 10 on All-SAC teams<br><i>Randolph named SAC Offensive Player of the Year</i>

ROCK HILL, S.C. - Following a memorable football regular season, the South Atlantic Conference (SAC) announced its All-Conference Teams and individual award winners on Tuesday, with Offensive Player of the Year Jonas Randolph, Offensive Freshman of the Year Dimitri Holmes, and co-Coach of the Year Tim Clifton headlining the honorees.

Overall, co-SAC champion Mars Hill had the most student-athletes named All-Conference, with the Lions placing a total of 10 on the First and Second Teams.

Randolph, who was also named SAC Offensive Player of the Year in 2009, spearheaded a potent Mars Hill offense with one of the best individual seasons in conference history. The senior, who also earned first team All-Conference accolades in addition to being Offensive Player of the Year, was the leading rusher in all NCAA divisions in 2011, finishing the regular season with a SAC record 1,970 yards.

Randolph also set the SAC single-game rushing record against Tusculum on Oct. 29, piling up 373 yards. With Mars Hill's season still active after being selected to the NCAA Division II Football Championship, Randolph has a shot at breaking the conference's career rushing record, which he trails by just 196 yards.

In addition to Randolph, Mars Hill had four more first-team selections in tight end Josh Crumpton, right tackle Tyler Hodgson, defensive end Kevin Johnson and cornerback Marvin James. Crumpton has caught 18 passes for 213 yards and two touchdowns. Hodgson has started at right tackle for the last three seasons. Johnson ranks sixth in the SAC in tackles (89) and posted four sacks. James ranks fourth in the SAC in passes defended (9) and fifth in interceptions (2).

The Lions also had five second-team selections, led by Holmes, a wide receiver, who was top-five in the SAC in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns en route to being named the league's Offensive Freshman of the Year. Joining Holmes on the second-team were fullback Patrick Park, left tackle Nick Allison, placekicker Michael Pinkerton and middle linebacker Rudy Cabral. Park, primarily used as a lead blocker for Randolph, has one carry for two yards and a touchdown this season. Allison has started eight games in 2011 at left guard and left tackle. Pinkerton is 5-of-7 on field goals and 36-42 on point after attempts this season and is tied for the SAC career record (149) in made point after attempts. Cabral ranks fourth in the league in tackles (96) to go along with two sacks.

After leading their teams to identical 6-1 conference records, Clifton and Lenoir-Rhyne's Mike Houston were fittingly named co-SAC Coaches of the Year. It marks the first time either coach has received the award.

The SAC Football Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award winner will be announced on Wednesday.

2011 SAC Football All-Conference Teams

First Team Offense
QB - Majon Herron, Lenoir-Rhyne
RB - Jonas Randolph, Mars Hill
RB - Nate Inman, Carson-Newman
RB - John Gadson, Newberry
WR - Deonte Gist, Tusculum
WR - Chris Bowden, Wingate
WR - Eric Watts, Brevard
TE - Brandon Ellington, Wingate
TE - Josh Crumpton, Mars Hill
OL - Chandler Rearden, Lenoir-Rhyne
OL - Caleb Campbell, Brevard
OL - Chase Gamble, Newberry
OL - Tyler Hodgson, Mars Hill
OL - Mike Arndt, Wingate
PK - Colin Corpe, Lenoir-Rhyne
RS - Deonte Gist, Tusculum

First Team Defense
DL - Zeke Andrews, Carson-Newman
DL - Brandon Martin, Lenoir-Rhyne
DL - Kevin Johnson, Mars Hill
DL - Anterio Arnold, Newberry
LB - Prince Simunyu, Brevard
LB - Apollo Stretch, Newberry
LB - Demetrius Green, Lenoir-Rhyne
LB - Larry Lumpkin, Carson-Newman
LB - Lakeem Perry, Catawba
DB - Michael Green, Lenoir-Rhyne
DB - Michael Gist, Brevard
DB - Marvin James, Mars Hill
DB - Jumal Rolle, Catawba
P - Eric Watts, Brevard
LS - Skylar West, Tusculum

*Note: Tie for first-team tight end, resulting in no second-team selection. Also, a tie for the final first-team linebacker spot resulted in five first-team selections and just three second-team selections.

Second Team Offense
QB - Cody Haffly, Wingate
RB - Isaiah Whitaker, Lenoir-Rhyne
RB - Josh Wright, Catawba
RB - Patrick Park, Mars Hill
WR - Dimitri Holmes, Mars Hill
WR - Rashaad Carter, Tusculum
WR - Brandon Bostick, Newberry
OL - Kevin Day, Carson-Newman
OL - Josh Stone, Tusculum
OL - Nick Allison, Mars Hill
OL - Pat Aiken, Tusculum
OL - Alex Taylor, Carson-Newman
PK - Michael Pinkerton, Mars Hill
RS - Michael Green, Lenoir-Rhyne

Second Team Defense
DL -Terrence Smith, Tusculum
DL - Jack Taylor, Wingate
DL - CJ Barksdale, Catawba
DL - Christian Lumbu, Brevard
LB - Rudy Cabral, Mars Hill
LB - Jared Seate, Wingate
LB - Rufus Jenkins, Brevard
DB - David Davis, Newberry
DB - Oliver Davis, Carson-Newman
DB - Jamont Jones, Lenoir-Rhyne
DB - Tarvin Jones, Carson-Newman
P - JoJo Morris, Newberry
P - Andy Rosetti, Tusculum
LS - DJ Davis, Catawba

*Note: Tie for second-team punter.

Offensive Player of the Year: Jonas Randolph, Mars Hill
Defensive Player of the Year: Demetrius Green, Lenoir-Rhyne
Offensive Freshman of the Year: Dimitri Holmes, Mars Hill
Defensive Freshman of the Year: CJ Barksdale, Catawba
Jacobs Blocking Trophy: Chandler Rearden, Lenoir-Rhyne
Co-Coaches of the Year: Tim Clifton, Mars Hill and Mike Houston, Lenoir-Rhyne