Eight Wildcats Named to SIAC All-Conference Teams
By: FVSU Office of Sports Information
Eight Fort Valley State University (FVSU) Wildcats have been named to the 2009 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) All-Conference Football Squad, in a vote of league coaches.
Three of the Wildcats earned First-Team All-SIAC honors, including junior An'thon Harris who was selected to the First Team as a wide receiver and punt returner. Harris finished fifth in the SIAC with 37 receptions for a total of 566 yards. He averaged 15 yards per catch with seven touchdowns and he led the SIAC in punt returns averaging 13.2 yards per return.
Senior offensive lineman Collin Cordell was named to the First Team All-SIAC Team for his work from the center position. The 6'5, 345lb Cordell was twice named SIAC Offensive Lineman of the Week. In addition to his post-season SIAC recognition, Cordell has also been selected to participate in the 2009 Russell Athletics HBCU Bowl on Saturday, December 19th at 2 p.m. in the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama.
Sophomore punter Marquette King was named First Team All-SIAC after an impressive season for the Wildcats. King was ranked third overall in punting in the SIAC this season. He averaged 39 yards per punt. Over the course of the season, of his 61 punts, 22 landed inside the opponent's 20 yard line; six were for 50 yards or more; 14 were fair caught; only four were for touchbacks; and none of his punts were blocked. His longest punt of the season was 64 yards. King was named SIAC Special Teams Player of the Week five times in 2009.
Four Wildcats were selected to the AIl-SIAC Second Team including senior defensive end Robert Jackson. Jackson finished 13th in the SIAC in tackles for loss with 10.5. In addition to his post-season SIAC honor, Jackson will join Cordell and represent FVSU in the 2009 Russell Athletics HBCU Bowl.
Senior linebacker Trent Newton was also named to the All-SIAC Second Team. After an abbreviated season due to injury, Newton returned for the second half of the campaign and finished with 55 total tackles, seven and one half tackles for loss, two sacks, two pass break ups, and two fumble recoveries.
Junior defensive back Dionte Dinkins earned Second Team All-SIAC honors for his solid performance as a cornerback. Routinely pitted against the opponent's best receiver, Dinkins became widely respected for his man-on-man coverage ability. He finished with four interceptions on the season.
Standout freshman Dajuan Williams received dual honors from the SIAC for his performance during the 2009 season. The freshman defensive back was named to the Second Team All-SIAC Team and was selected as the SIAC Freshman of the Year. Williams led the SIAC in interceptions with six including an individual, single game high of three in the 2009 Fountain City Classic.
Junior tight end Rodriquez Render was also selected All-SIAC Second Team. Second on the depth chart at that position on the FVSU roster, Render still managed 39 receptions for a total of 418 yards. He finished third in the SIAC in overall receptions and seventh in total receiving yards.
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