| 2009
All-KCAC Football Honors
Harrison leads McPherson’s All-KCAC football selections
McPherson, Kan. – Senior wide receiver Stephen Harrison was named to the 2009 All-KCAC football first team in four different positions to headline a group of 19 Bulldogs selected in a recent vote by the conference’s coaches. Harrison was also named the KCAC Special Teams Player of the Year, the second year in a row a Bulldog has been given this honor.
Along with Harrison, seven other Bulldogs were named All-KCAC first team, including junior Aaron Lafitte (running back), senior Casey Hayes (offensive line), sophomore David Kraft (offensive line), junior Shelton Thigpen (defensive back), senior Jeff Paulson (linebacker), junior Scott Jones (defensive line) and junior Travis Eason (place-kicker).
Receiving second team all-conference honors were junior Shane Mascarenas (quarterback), junior Raashun Payne (fullback), sophomore Andy Skinner (wide receiver), junior Ginikachi Ibe (defensive back), junior Will Powers (linebacker) and junior Travis Eason (punter)
Honorable mention selections include, junior Chris Lange (offensive line), junior John Sobczuk (defensive line), sophomore John Davidson (fullback), senior Drew Griffin (defensive line), sophomore Joe Becker (offensive line) and sophomore J.L. Gomez (defensive back).
McPherson football completed its most successful season to date with a 9-1 overall record and an 8-1 conference mark. The Bulldogs finished the season ranked No. 12 in the NAIA Football Coaches’ Top 25 Poll, and gained the programs first ever birth into the NAIA Football Championship Series.
Stephen Harrison, a 2004 graduate of Columbus (Miss.) High School and a transfer from East Mississippi Community College, was a named the KCAC Special Teams Player of the Year and first team All-KCAC as a wide receiver, utility player, punt returner and kick returner.
Harrison ranked within the top 10 nationally in kickoff return yards per attempt (31.7) and all-purpose yards (169.5), while ranking fifth in the KCAC in receiving yards per game (81.5). Harrison totaled 1,695 all-purpose yards, combining his receiving yards (815), punt returns (304), kickoff returns (571) and rushing yards (5). Stephen recorded 48 catches for 815 yards and nine touchdowns in 10 games for the Bulldogs.
Following the Bulldogs game six win at Kansas Wesleyan University, Harrison was named the NAIA National Special Teams Player of the Week. Harrison recorded 244 all-purpose yards, including an 80 yard kickoff return for a touchdown as McPherson defeated the Coyotes 52-38.
In 2008, Harrison, a KCAC honorable mention selection, recorded 47 receptions for 656 yards, including a team leading nine touchdown receptions.
Aaron Lafitte, a 2003 graduate of Ironwood (Ariz.) High School and a transfer from Arizona State University, was a unanimous selection to the All-KCAC first team as a running back.
Lafitte led the KCAC with 916 yards on 189 carries, including 19 rushing touchdowns. Aaron averaged 91.6 yards per game, ranking him atop the KCAC and 17th nationally. Lafitte ranked second nationally in scoring, recording 21 (19 rushing, 2 receiving) touchdowns and 128 points in ten starts for the Bulldogs. His 21 touchdowns and 128 points both set McPherson College single season records for their respective categories.
Lafitte’s high game came in the Bulldogs 58-13 thrashing of the University of Saint Mary Spires in game five. McPherson scored 58 unanswered points to start the game, helped in large part by four rushing touchdowns from Lafitte. He ended his afternoon with 21 carries for 144 yards rushing, including four touchdowns in a little more than two quarters of work.
Casey Hayes, a 2006 graduate of Las Lomas High School in Walnut Creek, Calif., and a transfer from Diablo Valley College, was named All-KCAC first team.
Hayes anchored the Bulldogs offensive line that threw for 3,193 yards, ranking sixth nationally. Casey started nine of ten games for the Bulldogs at his left tackle position.
In 2008, Casey was selected to the All-KCAC second team.
David Kraft, a 2008 graduate of Mulvane High School, earned first team All-KCAC honors in his first season as a starter for the Bulldogs.
Kraft orchestrated an offensive line that averaged 319.3 passing yards per game, ranking second in the KCAC and fourth nationally. David started all 10 regular season games for the Bulldogs at center.
In 2008, Kraft saw limited action as a backup offensive lineman.
Shelton Thigpen, a 2007 graduate of Wylie (Texas) High School, received all-conference first team honors as a defensive back.
Thigpen led the Bulldogs and ranked sixth nationally with six total interceptions. His 0.7 interceptions per game was good for second in the KCAC and nationally. Shelton was credited with 37 tackles, including 20 solo tackles, three tackles for loss, six interceptions, one fumble recovery and one blocked kick in 10 games for McPherson.
Shelton received All-KCAC honorable mention status as a freshman and sophomore.
Jeff Paulson, a 2005 graduate of Limon (Colo.) High School and a transfer from the University of Northern Colorado, is making his fourth appearance on the All-KCAC post-season honors list, including a second consecutive spot of the first team.
Paulson, a preseason Super 72 selection by College Fanz Sports Network, led a Bulldog defense that ranks eighth nationally at stopping the run with 89 tackles, including 47 solo tackles and a team-high 13.5 tackles for loss. Along with his tackles, Paulson tallied two interceptions and three pass breakups in 10 starts at linebacker for the Bulldogs.
Jeff’s best performance came in McPherson’s final regular season game against rival Bethany College. Paulson posted a team and season high 16 tackles (11 solo) and 3.5 tackles for loss for 17 yards. He was twice selected KCAC defensive Player of the Week. His initial selection came in the Bulldogs week four shutout of Sterling College and later received the award again for his play in a 34-16 victory against Bethel in week nine.
As a junior, Paulson was named an Honorable Mention All-American by the College Fanz Sports Network, along with his selection to the KCAC first team. During his freshman and sophomore campaigns, Jeff was named All-KCAC second team as a running back and All-KCAC honorable mention as a defensive back, respectively.
Scott Jones, a 2006 graduate of Lebo High School and a transfer from Northwest Missouri State, anchored the Bulldogs defensive line to earn All-KCAC first team honors.
Jones finished the regular season with 42 tackles, including 20 solo tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, two pass breakups, three fumble recoveries, one forced fumble and a team leading 6.5 sacks. In week two against Friends University, Jones scooped up a Falcon fumble and rumbled 55 yards for his first touchdown of his collegiate career. Jones’ 6.5 sacks ranked 26th nationally, while his 0.7 sacks per game put him in a tie for sixth in the KCAC.
In 2007, Jones was selected to the All-KCAC second team.
Travis Eason, a 2007 graduate of East Central (Okla.) High School, was named All-KCAC first team as a place-kicker and to the all-conference second team as a punter.
On the season, Eason connected on 88.7 percent (47-of-53) extra points and 40 percent (4-of-10) field goals, including a long of 44 yards. Travis ranked four on the team, 24th nationally in scoring with 59 points. Eason ranked second in the KCAC averaging 38.5 yards per punt.
Travis was selected KCAC Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance against Friends University. Eason finished the game with four punts for 160 yards, including a long of 53 yards. He also connected on six of seven PAT attempts.
Shane Mascarenas, a graduate of Centennial (Ariz.) High School and transfer from Phoenix College, earned All-KCAC second team honors for his play during the 2009 regular season.
Mascarenas led a Bulldog offense that ranked in the top 15 nationally in total offensive yards per game (445.8), pass efficiency (155.3), fourth down conversion percentage (58.8 percent), third down conversion percentage (47.6 percent), total passing offense (3,193), total scoring offense (462), scoring offense per game (46.2) and passing offense per game (319.3). McPherson’s 462 points set the McPherson College single season record for scoring.
Individually, Shane completed 192-of-318 attempts for 3,009 yards, including 32 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Mascarenas finished the season ranked second in the KCAC in all major passing categories, while ranking fifth nationally in passing yards per game (300.9) and total offense per game (297.8).
His best performance came in game three against Ottawa University. Mascarenas lit up the Braves defense for a single game record 515 passing yards and four touchdowns. Despite the impressive performance by the McPherson offense, the Bulldogs lost the game in double overtime 44-41.
In 2008, Mascarenas played in one game before a leg injury ended his season.
Raashun Payne, a 2005 graduate of Coolidge (Ariz.) High School and a transfer from Mesa Community College, earned All-KCAC second team honors in his first full season at fullback.
Payne started all ten games for the Bulldogs.
Andy Skinner, a 2008 graduate of South Gray High School, received All-KCAC second team honors in his first season as a starter for the Bulldogs.
Skinner led the Bulldogs receiving corps with 56 catches for 1,000 yards, including 14 touchdown receptions. Andy averaged 100 yards receiving per contest, ranking him ninth nationally and fourth in the KCAC. Skinner finished second on the team in scoring with 84 points and was the only Bulldogs to score a touchdown in all ten games.
Andy’s best performance came in McPherson’s 43-10 thumping of Tabor College. Skinner finished the afternoon with six catches for 165 yards and three touchdowns, including a 69-yard pitch and catch from Mascarenas on McPherson’s opening drive of the second half.
As a freshman, Skinner recorded 12 receptions for 157 yards.
Ginikachi Ibe, a junior transfer from West Valley College, Saratoga, Calif., earned all-conference second team honors in the recent vote by the conference coaches.
Ibe was credited with 42 tackles, 22 solo, 7.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, two interceptions, nine passes broken up, two fumble recoveries and one blocked kick from his defensive back position. Ginikachi aggressive style of play was showcased in the Bulldogs game ten win against Bethany. Midway through the second quarter, Ibe intercepted Swedes quarterback Steven Baker and returned the pick 64 yards to pay dirt.
Will Powers, a 2007 graduate of Garden City High School and a transfer from Garden City Community College received all-conference second team recognition as a linebacker.
Power finished second on the team in tackles with 74, including 31 solo tackles and 8.5 tackles for loss. In ten starts, Will also tallied 1.5 sacks, one interception and two forced fumbles from his middle linebacker position.
Chris Lange, a 2007 graduate of Choctaw (Okla.) High School, anchored a guard position on the McPherson offense that threw for 3,193 yards and rush for 1,265 yards, earning him All-KCAC honorable mention honors.
Lange started all 10 games for the Bulldogs.
John Davidson, a 2008 graduate of Tulsa (Okla.) Memorial High School, earned All-KCAC honorable mention honors for his play in 2009.
Davidson, along with fellow fullback Raashun Payne, was part of a McPherson College rushing attack that was third in the KCAC and ranked 50th nationally averaging 126.5 yards per game. Davidson played in all 10 games this season.
Joe Becker, a 2008 graduate of Plainville High School, anchored the other side of the Bulldogs offensive line opposite All-KCAC performer Casey Hayes. Becker’s play earned him honorable mention all-conference honors.
Becker started all 10 games for the Bulldogs in 2009.
John Sobczuk, a 2007 graduate of Saguaro (Ariz.) High School and a transfer from Glendale Community College (Ariz.), received honorable mention All-KCAC honors as a defensive lineman.
Sobczuk helped anchor a defensive line that held opponents to less than 80 yards rushing per game. John was credited with 21 tackles, five solo tackles, four tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble that fellow all-conference award winning defensive lineman Scott Jones returned 55 yards to pay dirt.
Drew Griffin, a 2002 graduate of Cordova High School (Calif.) and a transfer from American River College (Calif.), earned honorable mention all-conference honors for his play in 2009.
Griffin started all ten games for the Bulldogs at defensive tackle, recording 21 tackles (5 solo), one tackle for loss, 0.5 sacks and one fumble recovery.
J.L. Gomez, a 2008 graduate of Proper High School (Texas), received All-KCAC honorable mention honors as a defensive back.
The 5-9, 195-pound sophomore finished third on the team in tackles with 57, including 36 solo tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, four interceptions and three pass break ups. In the Bulldogs regular season finale, Gomez returned an interception 85 yards for his first collegiate touchdown.
McPherson College opens post season play Saturday, Nov. 21, against the No. 8 ranked MidAmerica Nazarene University Pioneers in a first round matchup of the NAIA Football Championship Series. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. central time at Pioneer Stadium in Olathe, Kan. |
