Harris Named Preseason All-American

LEESBURG, Va. - Beyond Sports Network (BSN) released its 2012 Division II football Preseason All-America Team this week, with Troy Harris earning recognition.

Coming off a share of the SAC title in 2011 and the program's first-ever selection to the NCAA Division II Football Championship, the Lions placed Tight End Josh Crumpton and defensive Troy Harris on preseason all-america teams. Crumpton earned third-team honors, Harris was an honorable mention selection.

Harris recorded 87 tackles last season, including a team-leading nine sacks.

Three SAC players were named to the First Team in Wingate wide receiver Chris Bowden, Lenoir-Rhyne linebacker Demetrius Green and Tusculum long snapper Skylar West.

Bowden led the SAC by averaging 96.7 receiving yards per game in 2011 and was second in the conference with 6.91 receptions per game. For the season, Bowden caught 76 passes for 1,064 yards and nine touchdowns en route to earning a spot on the All-SAC First Team.

Green, meanwhile, was the leader of a stout defense that carried Lenoir-Rhyne to a share of last season's SAC title. The 2011 SAC Defensive Player of the Year tallied 77 tackles and four sacks as L-R allowed just 22.6 points and 101.4 rushing yards per game to its opponents.

West, a junior, was named first team All-SAC in 2011 as well.

Two more members of the Lenoir-Rhyne defense - defensive back Michael Green and lineman Brandon Martin -- earned BSN Preseason All-America Second Team honors. Both were also members of the 2011 All-SAC First Team.

The Lions 2012 season opens on August 30, when they travel to Cullowhee, N.C. for a matchup with Western Carolina. The season kicks off at 8 p.m.