The Wildcat football team has ended its season, but during the past month the awards for its record setting 2010 season have continued to pour in.
Ten Wildcats were named to the Don Hanson NCAA Division II Super Region Four football team. Five players were named to the first team; four of them were offensive players.
Seniors Edmund Gates, Emery Dudensing, and Trevis Turner and junior Matt Webber all were voted first team all-region for the first time, while junior defensive end Aston Whiteside made a repeat appearance on the first team, following up on his 2009 selection.
Whiteside was the LSC South Pre-season Defensive Player of the Year and the LSC South Defensive Lineman of the year for the second time in as many years.
“It’s an honor for them to recognize me even though my stats weren’t as big this year,” said Whiteside.
Gates also was named to two different all-America teams for his outstanding season in 2010. The senior from Vernon was named to the Daktronics all-America second team and the American Football Coaches Association all-America team.
Five other Wildcats were named to the second all-region team. Senior linebacker Kevin Washington, senior defensive end Fred Thompson and senior defensive tackle Marvin Jones represented a defense that allowed just over 18 points per game in the regular season.
Sophomore quarterback and Harlon Hill Finalist Mitchell Gale was named to the second offensive team and finished the season with 38 touchdown passes, the most in a season by any ACU quarterback. Joining Gale on the second team is junior tight end Ben Gibbs. Gibbs snagged 20 receptions for the season, five of those going for touchdowns.
“It’s great to see a lot of our guys have success as far as awards,” said Head Coach Chris Thomsen. “It’s also great recognition for our program to be able to get on the national stage.”
Aside from the All-Region team, two seniors have been invited to post-season bowl games to showcase their talent for NFL scouts.
Offensive lineman Trevis Turner participated in the 2011 Cactus Bowl showcasing Division II players. Turner helped his team to a 28-6 victory and was named the Offensive Lineman of the Game.
Wide receiver Edmund Gates has accepted an invitation to the NFLPA All-Star Challenge, formerly known as the Texas vs. The Nation bowl game. Gates’ participation in the event follows the footsteps of former Wildcats and NFL players Johnny Knox and Bernard Scott.
