| 2002 All-American
Football Honors
Mac College’s Sears Named NAIA Academic
All-American
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| Travis Sears |
Travis Sears, McPherson College senior, was recently recognized
as a 2002 Daktronics-NAIA Football Academic All-American by the
National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. Sears has maintained
a 3.63 cumulative GPA (on a 4.00 scale) in special education and
psychology, and was previously named a NAIA Academic All-American
in 2001 following his junior year. He has also been a three-time
member of the KCAC (Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference) academic
all-conference team.
“What can you say about Travis that we have not already said?”
said McPherson College head coach David Cunningham. “Travis
has worked hard on the field, in the weight room, and in the classroom
for the past four years. He has been a leader in our program by
his actions and example. He really deserves this honor.”
“There were times I thought Travis was too good to be true.
It almost got to the point where you wondered ‘when the shoe
would drop,’ and you would find out he wasn’t perfect
after all. He has been a true role model, both on and off the field,
for our team, for other students on campus, and for the young people
in our community. He is a great student and football player, plus
a strong Christian and family man. Following his graduation we are
going to miss him in so many ways.”
A repeat All-KCAC honoree, Sears was named to the All-KCAC first
team, defense as a defensive end this past season after being named
to the all-conference second team following his junior season.
Designated as a “Teacher of Promise” last year by the
McPherson College education department, Sears led the McPherson
defense, which ranked second among KCAC teams in rushing defense,
with 6.5 sacks and 11 tackles for lost yardage. He forced 25 hurried
passes by opposing quarterbacks, caused two fumbles and recovered
two fumbles. Sears totaled 41 tackles, 18 of which were unassisted,
as opposing teams consistently ran away from his side of the line.
Sears had a season high seven tackles against Bethel in 2002.
A 1999 graduate of McPherson High School, Travis is the son of
Sandy and Rick Griffith of McPherson and Ken and Ruth Sears of Salina,
Kans. Travis is married to the former Katie Sherman, also of McPherson.
Three Bulldogs receive All-American football
honors
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| Louie Schneider
II |
Matt Holtry |
Travis Sears |
Three McPherson College Bulldogs were recently named to the 2002
Don Hansen’s Football Gazette NAIA All-American honorable
mention team. Named were sophomore center Louie Schneider, senior
linebacker Matt Holtry and senior defensive end Travis Sears.
Louie Schneider II (Arabi, La., Chalmette High School, 6-3,
305) has anchored the Bulldog offensive line the last two years,
starting all 20 games. Named to the All-KCAC first team offense
following the 2002 season, Schneider was also named an honorable
mention all-conference center after his freshman season. When the
Bulldogs needed a yard, they could always find it right up the middle.
“Louie has been a starter since his first day on campus,”
said McPherson head coach David Cunningham. “He makes most
of the line calls and has only had three or four bad snaps in his
two years. Week in and week out, he grades out as our top offensive
lineman. He is a cornerstone of our program.” A 2001 graduate
of Chamette High School, Schneider is majoring in mathematics at
McPherson College. He is the son of Louis and Linda Schneider of
Arabi, La.
Matt Holtry (Nampa, Idaho, Vallivue High School/Boise State
University, 6-0, 205) ranked third on the Bulldog tackle charts
in 2002 with 84 total tackles, 36 of which were unassisted. Named
the KCAC “Defensive Player of the Week” following the
Bulldogs’ season opening win over Haskell, he had a season
high 14 tackles in the McPherson’s homecoming win over Southwestern
College. Holtry also had double-digit, tackle games against Kansas
Wesleyan, Ottawa, and Tabor. A two-time All-KCAC receiver as a freshman
and sophomore and All-American honoree as a freshman wide receiver
for the Bulldogs, Holtry was named to the 2002 All-KCAC defense
following his senior season which he finished with two sacks, seven
tackles for losses, two passes broken up, a pass interception, and
a fumble return for a touchdown. Holtry had set a McPherson College
record for career receptions, prior to his transfer to Boise State
after his sophomore year, as well as the single season pass receiving
yardage record in 1998. After spending two seasons as part of the
Boise State program, Holtry returned to McPherson College for his
senior season in 2002 and added five catches for 42 yards to his
career reception record in very limited time on the offensive side
of the ball. In addition to completing his Bulldog career with a
record 147 catches, he also was ranked second on the all-time McPherson
College, career pass receiving yardage list with 2074 yards, 26
yards short of the school record. “Matt has been the consummate
team player since he returned to our program for his senior year,”
said coach Cunningham. “He came in and said he wanted to play
where he could best help us. We moved him over to defense, and then
midway through the year moved him from defensive back to linebacker.
He did a great job at both positions. He also managed to catch five
passes and had one of the most exiting plays of the year when he
ran for a 28-yard gain on a fake punt against Southwestern from
our own 17-yard line. Matt proved to us this that we could count
on him, no matter what.” A 1998 graduate of Vallivue High
School in Caldwell, Idaho, Holtry is an elementary education major
at McPherson College. The son of Byron and Kristine Holtry of Nampa,
Idaho, Matt is married to the former Jennifer Neil of Caldwell.
Travis Sears (McPherson, Kan., McPherson High School, 6-4,
235) led the McPherson College defense, which ranked second among
KCAC teams in rushing defense. A two-time All-KCAC honoree, Sears
was named to the All-KCAC first team defense as a senior after having
been named to the all-conference second team defense his junior
season. In 2002, Sears topped the Bulldog defense with 6.5 sacks
and 11 tackles for lost yardage. He forced 25 hurried passes by
opposing quarterbacks, caused two fumbles and recovered two fumbles.
He completed the 2002 season with 41 tackles, 18 of which were unassisted,
as opposing teams consistently ran away from his side of the line.
His season high for tackles this past season was seven in the Bulldogs’
29-6 win over Bethel. “What can you say about Travis that
we have not already said?” offered coach Cunningham. “He
is a true role model, both on and off the field. A great student,
Christian, family man, and football player. He led by his actions
and example. Opponents’ offenses always had to be aware of
where Travis was at all times.” A special education and psychology
major at McPherson College, Travis was recently named a NAIA All-American
Scholar-Athlete for a second time. A 1999 graduate of McPherson
High School, Travis is the son of Sandy and Rick Griffith of McPherson
and Ken and Ruth Sears of Salina, Kans. Travis is married to the
former Katie Sherman, also of McPherson.
Twelve Bulldogs named All-KCAC football
Three McPherson College Bulldogs were named to the 2002 All-KCAC
(Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference) football first team in a
post-season vote by the conference’s coaches. Named to the
first team offense were senior Kevin Steiner, running back, and
sophomore Louie Schneider, center. Senior Travis Sears, defensive
end, was named to the first team defense.
Four Bulldogs were named to the all-conference second team. Receiving
second team defensive honors were seniors Kenan Davis, linebacker,
and Dallas Blacklock, defensive back, while sophomore, quarterback
Erik Johnson was the Bulldogs’ lone representative on the
second team offense. Red-shirt freshman Darrell Cole was named to
the second team as an at-large, utility player.
An additional five Bulldogs were named to the All-KCAC honorable
mention squad. Senior linebacker Matt Holtry, junior defensive backs
Brandon Kelm and Lucus Lanning, junior wide receiver John Berlanga,
and sophomore offensive guard Todd Davis. Each received honorable
mention recognition, as did Darrell Cole, who received honorable
mention as a wide receiver in addition to his second team, utility
honor.
Kevin Steiner (Lincolnville, Kan., Lost Springs-Centre High
School, 5-8, 200) led the Bulldogs in rushing and finished third
among KCAC running backs with 818 yards on 183 carries. His 818
yards also ranked him tenth in the KCAC in total offense. Steiner
rushed for five touchdowns, and caught nine passes for another 68
yards. His top rushing game in 2002 came in the Bulldogs’
season opening 24-23 overtime win over Haskell Indian Nations when
he ran for 150 yards on 34 carries, an effort for which he was named
the KCAC “Offensive Player of the Week.” Because of
illness and injury, Steiner missed one full game and only had five
carries in the Dogs’ season finale before a nagging ankle
injury ended his season. “One of the most dependable football
players I have ever coached,” said McPherson head coach David
Cunningham. “When we needed yardage we knew who to go to.
Kevin only had three fumbles in two years, only one of which we
lost. He did a great job in our pass protection. Kevin took a battering
every game and that eventually caught up with him, physically. But,
he always answered the bell and I hate to think where we would have
been without him offensively these past two years.” Steiner,
an elementary/special education major at McPherson College, was
previously named to the All-KCAC second team as a running back in
2001.
Louie Schneider II (Arabi, La., Chalmette High School, 6-3,
305) has anchored the Bulldog offensive line the last two years,
starting all 20 games. When the Bulldogs needed a yard, they could
always find it right up the middle. “Louie has been a starter
since his first day on campus. He makes most of the line calls and
has only had three or four bad snaps in his two years. Week in and
week out, he grades out as our top offensive lineman. He is a cornerstone
of our program.” Schneider is majoring in mathematics at McPherson
College.
Travis Sears (McPherson, Kan., McPherson High School, 6-4,
235) led the McPherson defense, which ranked second among KCAC teams
in rushing defense. Sears topped the McPherson defense with 6.5
sacks and 11 tackles for lost yardage. He forced 25 hurried passes
by opposing quarterbacks, caused two fumbles and recovered two fumbles.
Sears totaled 41 tackles, 18 of which were unassisted, as opposing
teams consistently ran away from his side of the line. “What
can you say about Travis that we have not already said? A true role
model, both on and off the field. A great student, Christian, family
man, and football player. He led by his actions and example. Opponents’
offenses always had to be aware of where Travis was at all times.
We will miss him in so many ways.” A special education/psychology
major at McPherson, Sears’ had a season high seven tackles
against Bethel. A repeat All-KCAC honoree, Sears had been named
to the all-conference second team defense following his junior season.
Kenan Davis (League City, Texas, Clear Creek High School,
6-0, 220) tied for the 2002 Bulldogs’ lead in total tackles
with 86, 22 of which were unassisted. Davis made a season high 13
tackles against Tabor after posting double-figure, tackle games
against Southwestern (12 tackles), Sterling (11), Kansas Wesleyan
(12), and Friends (11). Davis had three tackles for loss yardage
in 2002, broke up five passes and forced three hurried throws. “Kenan
was the most underrated player on our team. He never missed a game
or practice. He was always where he was supposed to be, both on
and off the field. He made himself into a student of the game in
addition to the physical ability he had worked so hard to attain.
He is a great example of what a linebacker is supposed to be.”
Davis is majoring in biology at McPherson College.
Dallas Blacklock (Houston, Texas, Sharpstown High School,
5-9, 160) returned from a injury, red-shirt season in 2001 to break
up 22 passes from his defensive back spot. This is Blacklock intercepted
two passes, returning one 40 yards for a touchdown against Saint
Mary College. He totaled 46 tackles, 19 of which were unassisted,
and had a high game of nine tackles against Southwestern. Blacklock
also forced two and recovered two fumbles. “Dallas is one
of the best cover guys in the KCAC. And, despite his size, he is
not afraid to come up and make a tackle in the running game or on
special teams. He came off a difficult back injury his junior year,
one which put his playing career in jeopardy. But, he had a great
season this year, and was our emotional leader.” Blacklock
is majoring in philosophy and religion.
Erik Johnson (Caldwell, Idaho, Vallivue High School/Idaho
State University, 6-1, 200) finished the season ranked fifth in
the KCAC in total offense with 1,410 yards. He threw for 1,037 yards,
6th in the KCAC, and nine touchdowns in 2002, completing 102 of
208 pass attempts. Johnson led the Bulldogs, and ranked third in
the KCAC, in scoring with 78 points plus he ran for 373 yards and
13 touchdowns on 122 carries. Johnson, who transferred in from Idaho
State University at the beginning of second semester in 2001-02,
was selected as the KCAC “Offensive Player of the Week”
following his three-touchdown, 106-yard rushing performance against
Friends University. Johnson’s performance against the Falcons
included the Bulldogs’ longest touchdown run of the season
as he ran 75 yards for a second quarter score in helping McPherson
to its first home field defeat of Friends (41-6) since 1988. Johnson
stepped in to the starting quarterback role for the Bulldogs when
McPherson’s returning starter, and 2001 All-KCAC performer
at quarterback (Wade Pederson), suffered a torn ACL on the fifth
play of the season opener. “Erik’s value to our team
is hard to measure in terms of statistics. Time after time he turned
what should have been losses for us into gains. Often, big gains,
and scores! He will only get better with time, coaching, and experience.”
Johnson is majoring in physical education at McPherson College.
Darrell Cole (Waynesboro, Va., Wilson Memorial High School/Bridgewater
College, 5-11, 175) topped the 2002 Bulldogs by averaging 11.4 yards
per rush as he ran for 423 yards and four touchdowns in only 37
carries. Cole also caught 19 passes for 159 yards. A red-shirt freshman
following his transfer to McPherson College from sister school,
Bridgewater College in Virginia, Cole scored 26 points on the season.
His top rushing performances were a seven-carry, two-touchdown,
123-yard rushing day against Southwestern and a five-carry, 102-yard
day against Kansas Wesleyan, which included the Bulldogs’
longest run from scrimmage in 2002, 76 yards. “One of the
most explosive players in the conference. On offense, he was truly
our big play threat. In addition to his over 11 yards per carry,
he was a solid receiver and one of our best blockers at the slot/receiver
position. He also did a good job for us on the special teams.”
Cole is majoring in auto restoration technology.
Matt Holtry (Nampa, Idaho, Vallivue High School/Boise State
University, 6-0, 205) ranked third on the Bulldog tackle charts
in 2002 with 84 total tackles, 36 of which were unassisted. Named
the KCAC “Defensive Player of the Week” following the
Dogs’ season opening win over Haskell, he had a season high
14 tackles in the Bulldog’s homecoming win over Southwestern
College. Holtry also had double-digit tackle games against Kansas
Wesleyan, Ottawa, and Tabor. Holtry had two sacks, seven tackles
for losses, two passes broken up, a pass interception, and a fumble
return for a touchdown. Holtry had set a McPherson College record
for career receptions in his first two years at McPherson as well
as the single season pass receiving yardage record in 1998 before
his transfer to Boise State. He added five catches for 42 yards
to his career reception record in very limited time on the offensive
side of the ball in 2002, completing his Bulldog career with 147
catches. He also finished his career ranked second on the McPherson
College career pass receiving yardage list with 2074 yards, 26 yards
short of the school record. “Matt has been the consummate
team player since he returned to our program for his senior year.
We moved him over to defense, and then midway through the year moved
him from defensive back to linebacker. He did a great job at both
positions. He also managed to catch five passes including one of
the most exiting plays of the year, a 28 yard gain on a fake punt
against Southwestern from our own 17-yard line. Matt proved to us
this that we could count on him, no matter what.” An elementary
education major at McPherson College, Holtry returned to McPherson
College for his senior season after spending two seasons as part
of the Boise State program.
Brandon Kelm (Lorena, Tex., Lorena High School, 5-8, 160)
led the McPherson College defense with three pass interceptions,
which he returned for 80 total yards, including one returned 45
yards for a touchdown against Sterling. Kelm had a season high 13
tackles against Tabor including six unassisted tackles on his way
to a season total of 63 stops. He also posted double-digit tackles
against Southwestern (11) and Ottawa (10). Kelm forced one fumble,
recovered two, had two tackles for lost yardage, and broke up six
passes. “Brandon is a guy we were looking at as a quality
back-up player and good special teams guy. I am happy to say he
proved us very wrong as he made himself into one of our best defenders.
He is strong, quick, and a smart football player. We are very happy
we have Brandon with us.” Kelm is majoring in industrial technology
at McPherson College.
Lucus Lanning (Cherryvale, Kan., Cherryvale High School/Independence
CC, 5-11, 185) had a team and season high 18 tackles in the Bulldogs’
20-18 win over Ottawa. He tied for the team lead with 86 total tackles,
39 of which were unassisted, and his three pass interceptions. Lanning
led the Bulldogs in tackles against both Kansas Wesleyan and Tabor
with 16. Lanning forced a team high three fumbles and recovered
two in 2002. He had two tackles for negative yardage and broke up
four passes. Lanning was named the KCAC “Defensive Player
of the Week” following his 18-tackle performance, 12 unassisted,
against Ottawa. “Lucus gave us exactly what we hoped he would
when we recruited him. A savvy, experienced player, who could make
plays for us. His playing experience in the Jayhawk league more
than prepared him for the KCAC. We are looking for big things from
Lucus next season.” Lanning is an elementary education/special
education major at McPherson College.
John Berlanga (Brownsville, Texas, Rivera High School, 5-10,
160) led Bulldog receivers with 22 catches, good for 248 yards and
three touchdowns. His top, receiving day in 2002 came against Ottawa
University when he caught five passes for 82 yards and a touchdown.
Following his freshman year at McPherson, when he had team highs
of 31 catches, 509 yards and five touchdowns receiving, Berlanga
was named to the 2000 All-KCAC honorable mention squad. “John
may not have had the numbers he had his previous years, but he was
key in our success because of his blocking. He willingly sacrificed
his individual stats for the success of the team. Yet, we always
knew he would step up and make the big catch for us in critical
situations. We expect him to continue to be a go-to receiver next
year.” Berlanga is majoring in physical therapy.
Todd Davis (Chalmette, La., Chalmette High School, 5-10,
280), manning the left guard spot, teamed with his former high school
teammate and All-KCAC performer Louie Schneider, to consistently
open the running lanes for the Bulldogs second-ranked rushing offense.
“Todd is truly one of the toughest players on our team. He
has a lot of quickness and athleticism, and when you combine that
with his strength and disposition, you get the perfect recipe for
an offensive lineman. Along with Louie, we can depend on Todd to
grade out high every week.” Davis is an accounting major at
McPherson.
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