Lamar’s Harrington Named Southland Conference Player of the Year
Southland Conference
FRISCO, Texas – After setting several Lamar and Southland Conference records and leading the nation in numerous rushing categories, Lamar junior running back Kade Harrington took home the league’s top honor as he was named the 2015 Southland Conference Player of the Year, the league announced Tuesday in conjunction with the all-conference teams.
McNeese State earned 13 all-conference selections along with two individual superlatives, including defensive player of the year with senior defensive back Wallace Scott and coach of the year with Matt Viator after finishing the regular season with a perfect 10-0 overall and 9-0 league mark. The Cowboys head into the Division I Football Championship Subdivision Playoffs as the No. 4 national seed.
To go along its conference-best 14th league title, McNeese State dominated the all-conference teams, claiming 13 of the 58 spots with five first-team picks and eight second-team selections. Sam Houston State, which is making its fifth consecutive postseason appearance, placed 10 players on the all-conference teams with five first-team and five second-team recipients. The Bearkats took home two individual awards with junior quarterback Jared Johnson being named offensive player of the year and senior offensive tackle Donald Jackson III tabbed top offensive lineman.
Completing the individual honors were Abilene Christian cornerback Jabari Butler being named freshman of the year and UIW senior linebacker Myke Tavarres being selected as the league’s best newcomer.
Harrington, a finalist of the STATS FCS National Offensive Player of the Year, is the first Cardinal to be named the league’s player of the year. This season, the junior from Kingwood, Texas, rushed for a school and conference record 2,092 yards, which leads the FCS by more than 300 yards and broke the conference mark by more than 400 yards. Harrington also finished the year ranked first in the nation in all-purpose yards per game (213.36), rushing touchdowns (21) and rushing yards per game (190.2) while finishing second in scoring (12.5) and third in rush yards per carry (7.86). Harrington set a school record with eight straight games of at least 100 yards rushing and rushed for at least 200 yards in six of the 11 games on the year. He set the league’s single-game rushing record with 347 yards against Abilene Christian and has two of the top 10 single-game rushing marks in league history.
Scott, a senior from Weyanoke, La., is the leader of the McNeese defense that heads into the postseason leading the nation in rushing defense (78.6), and second in scoring defense (11.1) and ninth in total defense (280.8). The three-time conference defensive player of the week has 48 total tackles on the season with two sacks and 5.5 tackles for a loss. Scott set a school records with two fumble recoveries for a touchdown in a season and 142 fumble return yards in a season. Scott and the McNeese defense have allowed just three rushing touchdowns on the year and have only allowed one player to break the century mark rushing in a game.
Viator led McNeese to a perfect 9-0 league mark, which is the most conference wins for a team in a single season. A finalist for the STATS FCS National Coach of the Year, Viator leads the Southland with 54 league wins and is tied for the McNeese’s all-time record with 78 career wins. Viator and the Cowboys won their fourth conference championship in 10 seasons and he became the first McNeese coach to post two undefeated regular seasons, having gone 11-0 in 2007. Viator is just the second coach in conference history to have two unblemished regular seasons, joining Louisiana Tech’s Maxie Lambright who did it in 1972 and 1974. This is Viator’s third coach of the year honor, having received the award in 2006 and 2007.
Johnson, a dual-threat quarterback for the Bearkats, leads one of the nation’s most prolific offenses into the postseason. The junior from Grand Prairie, Texas, has thrown for 2,176 yards on 162 of 268 passing this season and has thrown a league-high 18 touchdowns paired with a league-low one interception on the season. Johnson leads the league in passing yards per completions (13.43), is second in passing yards, passing efficiency (150.1), passing yards per game (197.8) and points responsible for per game (12.7), third in completions per game (14.73) and fourth in completion percentage (60.4). Johnson also keeps defenses off balanced with his ability to run, as he has 433 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns on the season. He is second the conference with his 237.2 yards of total offense per game. Johnson ranks second all-time in Sam Houston history total offense (6,876) and third in passing yards (5,312) in only two years as a starter.
Jackson, a three-time all-conference selection, is a key part to the Sam Houston offense that is second in the nation in total offense with 544.5 yards per game, fourth in scoring offense (43.8) and ninth in rushing offense (266.8). The senior from Kilgore, Texas, is a four-year starter for the Bearkats and has started every game on the offensive line this season.
Butler, a freshman from Potomac, Md., led the league with six interceptions on the season. A finalist for the STATS FCS National Freshman of the Year, Butler is second in the Southland with 15 passes defended. He was named the league’s defensive player of the week after his two-interception performance that nearly lead ACU to an upset win over McNeese State. His six interceptions is the most by an ACU player since 2007 and ranks in ACU’s top 10 for single-season interceptions.
Tavarres, a senior from Lake Oswego, Ore., led the conference with 8.5 sacks and 22.5 tackles for loss, which ranks 15th and third in the nation, respectively. The STATS FCS National Defensive Player of the Year finalist set the UIW record with 110 tackles on the year, which is third-highest in the conference. The transfer from Arkansas was a two-time Southland defensive player of the week for the Cardinals.
Ten Southland schools were represented on the all-conference teams. McNeese led all teams with 13 players on the all-conference teams followed by Sam Houston State with 10 and Central Arkansas with eight. Lamar and Southeastern Louisiana placed six players each while Northwestern State had five. Abilene Christian had four players followed by UIW with three, Stephen F. Austin with two and Nicholls with one.
There are 15 student-athletes who have been named to the all-conference teams previously, highlighted by Central Arkansas senior Jonathon Woodard, who is a four-time selection. Earning all-conference accolades for the third time are Jackson III, Reggie Begelton (Lamar), Bo Brown, (McNeese) and Harlan Miller (Southeastern La.). Two-time selections include Scott, Ed Eagan (Northwestern State), Quinton Marsh (McNeese), P.J. Hall (Sam Houston), Trenier Orr (Sam Houston), Codey Funk (ACU), Pace Murphy (Northwestern State), Byron Williams (SFA), Lachlan Edwards (Sam Houston) and Jonathan Epps (ACU). A total of 48 student-athletes earned honorable mention all-conference honors. To receive honorable mention, a player must receive votes from at least 25 percent of all voters.
The all-conference teams are comprised of 29 first-team and second-team members. Each coach nominates players from his own team. The teams are selected by a vote of the league’s head coaches and sports information directors, who cannot vote for their own players.
2015 Southland Conference Individual Superlative Winners
Player of the Year: Kade Harrington, Lamar (RB)
Offensive Player of the Year: Jared Johnson, Sam Houston State (QB)
Defensive Player of the Year: Wallace Scott, McNeese State (DB)
Offensive Lineman of the Year: Donald Jackson III, Sam Houston State (OT)
Freshman of the Year: Jabari Butler, Abilene Christian (CB)
Newcomer of the Year: Myke Tavarres, UIW (LB)
Coach of the Year: Matt Viator, McNeese State
2015 All-Southland Conference Football Teams
First-Team Offense
| Pos. |
Name |
University |
Ht. |
Wt. |
Cl. |
Hometown |
| QB |
Jared Johnson |
Sam Houston State |
6-1 |
215 |
Jr. |
Grand Prairie, Texas |
| RB |
Kade Harrington |
Lamar |
5-9 |
190 |
Jr. |
Kingwood, Texas |
| RB |
Corey Avery |
Sam Houston State |
5-10 |
190 |
So. |
Dallas, Texas |
| TE/HB |
Cole Wick |
UIW |
6-7 |
255 |
Sr. |
Hallettsville, Texas |
| WR |
Ed Eagan2 |
Northwestern State |
5-10 |
193 |
Sr. |
New Orleans, La. |
| WR |
Desmond Smith |
Central Arkansas |
6-1 |
201 |
Jr. |
Bentonville, Ark. |
| WR |
Reggie Begelton3 |
Lamar |
6-2 |
200 |
Sr. |
Beaumont, Texas |
| OL |
Donald Jackson III3 |
Sam Houston State |
6-2 |
290 |
Sr. |
Kilgore, Texas |
| OL |
Quinton Marsh2 |
McNeese State |
6-3 |
310 |
Sr. |
Dickinson, Texas |
| OL |
Kyle Stouffer |
Central Arkansas |
6-7 |
316 |
Sr. |
Dallas, Texas |
| OL |
Cody Elenz |
Lamar |
6-4 |
290 |
Sr. |
Copperas Cove, Texas |
| OL |
Bret Treadway |
Lamar |
6-3 |
280 |
Jr. |
Silsbee, Texas |
| AP |
Ed Eagan2 |
Northwestern State |
5-10 |
193 |
Sr. |
New Orleans, La. |
| PK |
Chris Moore |
Northwestern State |
6-0 |
215 |
Sr. |
Plano, Texas |
First-Team Defense
| Pos. |
Name |
University |
Ht. |
Wt. |
Cl. |
Hometown |
| DL |
Jonathan Woodard4 |
Central Arkansas |
6-6 |
271 |
Sr. |
Brentwood, Tenn. |
| DL |
P.J. Hall2 |
Sam Houston State |
6-1 |
280 |
So. |
Seguin, Texas |
| DL |
Isaiah Golden |
McNeese State |
6-2 |
335 |
So. |
Carthage, Texas |
| DL |
Larance Hale |
Lamar |
6-2 |
280 |
Jr. |
Tatum, Texas |
| LB |
Myke Tavarres |
UIW |
6-2 |
220 |
Sr. |
Lake Oswego, Ore. |
| LB |
Bo Brown3 |
McNeese State |
6-1 |
216 |
Sr. |
Katy, Texas |
| LB |
Sam Denmark |
Abilene Christian |
6-1 |
230 |
So. |
Las Cruces, N.C. |
| DB |
Wallace Scott2 |
McNeese State |
6-1 |
211 |
Sr. |
Weyanoke, La. |
| DB |
Harlan Miller3 |
Southeastern La. |
6-1 |
180 |
Sr. |
Kentwood, La. |
| DB |
Trenier Orr2 |
Sam Houston State |
5-11 |
180 |
Sr. |
Orlando, Fla. |
| DB |
Tremon Smith |
Central Arkansas |
6-0 |
185 |
So. |
Anniston, Ala. |
| DB |
Jabari Butler |
Abilene Christian |
5-11 |
180 |
Fr. |
Potomac, Md. |
| P |
Jean Breaux |
McNeese State |
5-10 |
172 |
Sr. |
Scott, La. |
| KR |
Ed Eagan2 |
Northwestern State |
5-10 |
193 |
Sr. |
New Orleans, La. |
| PR |
Harlan Miller3 |
Southeastern La. |
6-1 |
180 |
Sr. |
Kentwood, La. |
Second-Team Offense
| Pos. |
Name |
University |
Ht. |
Wt. |
Cl. |
Hometown |
| QB |
Daniel Sams |
McNeese State |
6-2 |
198 |
Sr. |
Slidell, La. |
| RB |
Blake Veasley |
Central Arkansas |
6-0 |
205 |
Sr. |
Cherry Valley, Ark. |
| RB |
Ryan Ross |
McNeese State |
5-9 |
205 |
So. |
Richwood, Texas |
| TE/HB |
Zach Hetrick |
McNeese State |
6-3 |
250 |
Jr. |
Baton Rouge, La. |
| WR |
Kent Shelby |
McNeese State |
6-3 |
194 |
So. |
New Orleans, La. |
| WR |
Gerald Thomas |
Sam Houston State |
5-10 |
183 |
Sr. |
The Colony, Texas |
| WR |
Yedidiah Louis |
Sam Houston State |
5-8 |
187 |
So. |
Richardson, Texas |
| OL |
Codey Funk2 |
Abilene Christian |
6-6 |
325 |
Sr. |
Gridley, Ill. |
| OL |
Ben Jones |
McNeese State |
6-5 |
283 |
Sr. |
Nederland, Texas |
| OL |
Pace Murphy2 |
Northwestern State |
6-6 |
296 |
Sr. |
Houston, Texas |
| OL |
Joe Graves |
Southeastern La. |
6-3 |
320 |
Sr. |
Covington, La. |
| OL |
Byron Williams2 |
Stephen F. Austin |
6-4 |
302 |
Sr. |
Dickinson, Texas |
| AP |
Yedidiah Louis |
Sam Houston State |
5-8 |
187 |
So. |
Richardson, Texas |
| PK |
Jace Denker |
Central Arkansas |
6-1 |
188 |
Sr. |
Bryant, Ark. |
Second-Team Defense
| Pos. |
Name |
University |
Ht. |
Wt. |
Cl. |
Hometown |
| DL |
Derek Floyd |
Central Arkansas |
6-2 |
248 |
Sr. |
Dallas, Texas |
| DL |
Cameron Smith |
McNeese State |
6-3 |
238 |
Sr. |
Tamarac, Fla. |
| DL |
Ashton Henderson |
Southeastern La. |
6-1 |
320 |
Sr. |
Tulsa, Okla. |
| DL |
John Franklin |
Stephen F. Austin |
6-4 |
284 |
So. |
Greenville, Texas |
| LB |
Ricky Wyatt |
Central Arkansas |
5-11 |
222 |
Sr. |
Monroe, La. |
| LB |
Herbert Harris |
Southeastern La. |
6-1 |
225 |
Sr. |
Clinton, Miss. |
| LB |
Ashari Goins |
McNeese State |
5-10 |
200 |
So. |
Monroe, La. |
| DB |
Mikell Everette |
Sam Houston State |
5-11 |
185 |
Sr. |
Kent, Wash. |
| DB |
Dominique Hill |
McNeese State |
5-10 |
177 |
So. |
Mansfield, La. |
| DB |
Jordan Batiste |
Southeastern La. |
5-10 |
185 |
Sr. |
Gramercy, La. |
| DB |
Kobie Douglas |
UIW |
5-9 |
162 |
Sr. |
Plano, Texas |
| DB |
B.T. Sanders |
Nicholls |
6-0 |
190 |
Jr. |
Foley, Ala. |
| P |
Lachlan Edwards2 |
Sam Houston State |
6-5 |
215 |
Sr. |
Victoria, Australia |
| KR |
Rodney Randle |
Lamar |
5-10 |
200 |
Fr. |
Beaumont, Texas |
| PR |
Jonathan Epps2 |
Abilene Christian |
5-9 |
170 |
Sr. |
Fort Worth, Texas |
2 indicates two-time all-conference selection
3 indicates three-time all-conference selection
4 indicates four-time all-conference selection
Honorable Mention:
Quarterback: Trent Brittain, UIW; Zach Conque, Stephen F. Austin.
Running Back: Michael Henry, Nicholls; De’Mard Llorens, Northwestern State; De’Andre Brown, Abilene Christian.
Tight End/H-Back: Jamie Walker, Abilene Christian; DeAndre Jennings, Lamar.
Wide Receiver: Cedric Gilbert, Abilene Christian; Jatavious Wilson, Central Arkansas.
Offensive Linemen: Zach Stevens, Sam Houston State; Nathan Thompson, UIW; Bridge Blount, Sam Houston State; Stockton Mallet, Central Arkansas; Alec Willis, Central Arkansas; Justin Brock, Lamar; Nick Gorman, McNeese State; Ryan Hanley, Nicholls; Terrance Boyd, Northwestern State; Travis Romero, Southeastern Louisiana.
Offensive All-Purpose: Kody Edwards, UIW.
Defensive Linemen: LaMarcus Allen, Abilene Christian; Alex Jenkins, UIW; James DeLaRosa, Sam Houston State; A.J. Bowen, Southeastern Louisiana; Josh Bloom, Abilene Christian; Jammerio Gross, McNeese State; Jacobi Hunter, Sam Houston State; Kedrick Harrison, Stephen F. Austin.
Linebackers: Justin Owens, Stephen F. Austin; Garrett Dolan, Houston Baptist; Josh Zellars, UIW; Logan Moss, Lamar; Hezekiah White, Nicholls; Jacob Merriman, Northwestern State; Myke Chatman, Sam Houston State; Tre’ Bennett, Southeastern Louisiana. D
efensive Back: Brent Spikes, McNeese State; Bobby Watkins, Central Arkansas; Micah Eugene Southeastern Louisiana; Xavier Bethany, Lamar; Devin Spurlock, Central Arkansas; Patrick Martin, Stephen F. Austin; Prince Sam, Houston Baptist; Robert Johnson, UIW.
Kick Return Specialist: Kody Edwards, UIW; Byron Proctor, Abilene Christian.
Punt Return Specialist: Jordan Hicks, UIW; Brandon Cox, Central Arkansas.