Lock Haven, Pa. – Slippery Rock’s Nigel Barksdale was named PSAC West Offensive Athlete of the Year, while Clarion’s Julian Howsare was deemed PSAC West Defensive Athlete of the Year, as selected by the league’s head coaches.
Edinboro’s wide receiver Darren Massey clinched PSAC West Freshman of the Year honors, and Slippery Rock’s head coach Dr. George Mihalik is the PSAC West Coach of the Year after leading the program to the PSAC Western Division title and a trip to the NCAA Division II Football Championship tournament.
Barksdale has led Slippery Rock to the top of Division II’s offensive charts in 2013. The Rock have accumulated 6,228 yards of total offense this season for a league-high average of 566.6 yards per outing. He ranks first in the PSAC and fourth amongst Division II leaders in total offense (372.4ypg). Barksdale holds the Slippery Rock record for single season yards of total offense (4,096), passing yards (3,669yds), passing yards per game (333.5ypg), and touchdown passes (30).
Howsare accumulated 83 tackles in 2013 and a team-high 46 solo tackles for an average of 7.5 takedowns per game. He led the Western Division in sacks this season with 9.5 for 58 yards, while also leading the West in tackles for loss with 16.5 for a loss of 75 yards. The Altoona native also registered two interceptions for 12 yards, four pass breakups, and a pair of forced fumbles this season. Howsarealso blocked four kicks this season, including two blocked punts against Seton Hill.
Massey played key roles for Edinboro’s offense and special teams in his rookie season. He finished the year averaging 48.4 yards per game receiving with 26 catches for 339 yards and four touchdowns. On kick returns, Massey averaged 20.6 yards per return with 10 attempts and a total of 206 yards. He led Edinboro in scoring with six touchdowns comprised of four receiving touchdowns, a rushing touchdown, and a touchdown on a blocked punt. In Edinboro’s 36-30 upset of IUP, he found the endzone three times with 117 reception yards on six catches.
Coach Mihalik has been at the helm of the Slippery Rock program for 26 seasons and has led The Rock to six PSAC Western Division titles during his tenure. He has also led the squad to four NCAA Championship tournament berths, but 2013 marks the team’s first berth since 1999. He has now earned five PSAC West Coach of the Year awards, most recently in 2011.
Byron Dovales of IUP is a three-time All-PSAC honoree, along with Dustin Galich of Mercyhurst, Mike Felker of Clarion, Brett Ullman of IUP, andJustin Caliste of Gannon.
First Team Offense
QB – Nigel Barksdale, SRU
RB – Jansen Jones, Gannon
RB – Brandon Brown-Dukes, Mercyhurst
RB – De’Antwan Williams, IUP
OT – Cory Tucker, SRU
OT – Bryan Dovales, IUP
OG – Ben Gysin, Mercyhurst
OG – Mike Charmo, IUP
C – Jack Abercrombie, Cal
TE – RJ Miller, Mercyhurst
WR – John Schademan, SRU
WR – Mike Williams, Cal
WR – Terrill Barnes, IUP
K – Steven Wakefield, Mercyhurst
First Team Defense
DL – Julian Howsare, Clarion
DL – Derek Walker, SRU
DL – Tony Papley, SRU
DL – Dustin Galich, Mercyhurst
DL – BJ Stevens, Cal
LB – Tyler Zimmer, Seton Hill
LB – Carl Fleming, IUP
LB – Gary Allen, SRU
LB – Qundell Dean, SRU
DB – Dewey McDonald, Cal
DB – Terrell Halloway, IUP
DB – Austin Miele, SRU
DB – Anthony Saunders, SRU
Returner – Justin Caliste, Gannon
P – James McCombie, Slippery Rock
Second Team Offense
QB – Liam Nadler, Gannon
RB – Allen Jones, Mercyhurst
RB – Teddy Blakeman, SRU
RB – Shamar Greene, SRU
OT – Mike Felker, Clarion
OT – Kelson Patterson, Gannon
OG – Alex Davis, Gannon
OG – Nick Carnicella, IUP
C – Steve Reinhardt, Mercyhurst
TE – Julian Harrell, SRU
WR – Bein Eisel, Edinboro
WR – Jaimire Dutriuille, SRU
WR – Trey Johnson, Cal
K – Brett Ullman, IUP
Second Team Defense
DL – Noah Taylor, Cal
DL – Matt Shuey, Clarion
DL – Bobby Kmetz, Edinboro
DL – Chris Williams, Edinboro
DL – Matt Peacock, SRU
LB – Luke Rankie, Gannon
LB – Dorian Lane, IUP
LB – Mike Shansky, Edinboro
LB – Pat Brehm, Mercyhurst
DB – Colin Kimball, Mercyhurst
DB – Devin Gahfoor, Edinboro
DB – CJ Townes, Cal
DB – Aaron Terry, Cal
Returner – Terrell Roberson, Cal
P – Andy Cerett, Cal
Offensive Athlete of the Year: Nigel Barksdale, QB, Slippery Rock
Defensive Athlete of the Year: Julian Howsare, DL, Clarion
Freshman of the Year: Darren Massey, WR, Edinboro
Coach of the Year: Dr. George Mihalik, Slippery Rock
Photo Credit: PSACsports.org
