Three Lions Earn All-Region Recognition

NEWBERRY, S.C.-- Three Mars Hill Lion football players were named to the 2012 Daktronics All-Super Region II Second Team, which was released Thursday.

Running back Shaikel Davis and offensive lineman Nick Allison earned second-team offense honors, while defensive end Troy Harris earned second-team all-defense recognition. This is the first All-Region honor for each student-athlete. All three were First Team All-South Atlantic Conference honorees as well, with Harris earning Co-Defensive Player of the Year honors.

Davis, a sophomore, led the SAC in nearly every rushing statistic during the regular season. He ranked first in the conference in rushing attempts (236), yards (1,173) and yards per game (117.3). Davis scored five touchdowns, including two scores in a 24-carry, 190-yard performance against North Greenville for which he earned SAC Offensive Player of the Week honors.

Allison was a key cog in the offensive line that helped open up holes for Davis. The MHC offensive line produced 158 yards rushing per game. The sophomore started six games for the Lions this season.

Harris finished third in the conference with five sacks. He was second on the team with 84 tackles and was a disruptive force on the defensive line with 12 tackles-for-loss.

Sports information directors from NCAA Division II schools that sponsor football selected the Daktronics All-Region teams. All first-team All-Region picks will advance to the national ballot for All-American consideration.

Daktronics, Inc. is a recognized world leader in the design and manufacture of electronic scoreboards, programmable display systems and large screen video displays using light-emitting diode (LED) technology.

The complete All-Super Region II teams are listed below.

2012 Daktronics All-Super Region II First Team

Offense
TE- Daniel Youssif, West Georgia
WR- Chris Bowden, Wingate
WR- Gerald Ford, Valdosta State
OL- Ryan Schraeder, Valdosta State
OL- Kevin Day, Carson-Newman
OL- Edmund Kugbila, Valdosta State
OL- Andy Nations, West Alabama
QB- Cayden Cochran, Valdosta State
RB- Derrick Washington, Tuskegee
RB- Brandon Baker, Carson-Newman
RS- Lavon Downs, Delta State
K- Ryne Smith, West Alabama

Offensive Player of the Year: Derrick Washington, Tuskegee

Defense
DL- Ridge Wilson, West Alabama
DL- Vauchard Goodridge, Clark Atlanta
DL- Richie Mata'afa, North Alabama
LB- Leron Furr, Fort Valley State
LB- Cory Johnson, Catawba
LB- Corey Jones, Lane
LB- Tavarius Wilson, North Alabama
CB- William Buford, Tuskegee
CB- Jumal Rolle, Catawba
S- Dexter Moody, Albany State
S- Otha Foster, West Alabama
P- Justin Rosenbaum, Fort Valley State

Defensive Player of the Year: Cory Johnson, Catawba

Second Team

Offense
WR- Damian Ford, Stillman
WR- Xzanvion Smith, Tusculum
OL- Joseph So, Wingate
OL- Devonte Jones, Tuskegee
OL- Christopher Tolbert, Tuskegee
OL- Nick Allison, Mars Hill
OL- Will Furlong, North Alabama
QB- David Thomas, Miles
RB- David Carter, Morehouse
RB- Shaikel Davis, Mars Hill
RS- Thomas Williams, Morehouse
K- Curt Duncan, Carson-Newman

Defense
DL- Troy Harris, Mars Hill
DL- Nick Napolitano, Wingate
DL- Carlos Ware, Kentucky State
LB- Apollo Stretch, Newberry
LB- Deon Lacey, West Alabama
LB- Jared Seate, Wingate
LB- Chris Pope, Valdosta State
CB- Myer Nolan, Lenoir-Rhyne
CB- Carlos Wilson, Stillman
S- Luke Harris, Tusculum
S- Caleb Massey, North Alabama
P- Eric Watts, Brevard