Dec. 3, 2004
Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - Thirteen players from the Pioneer Football League, were among the 27 named to The Sports Network's 2004 I-AA Mid-Major All-America team. San Diego had four players named to the squad, while Drake and Dayton had three each. A panel of I-AA media and sports information directors covering the 22 mid-major programs of the MAAC, NEC and Pioneer Leagues selected the team.
The All-America backfield consists of San Diego quarterback Todd Mortensen (2874 yards, 25 TD) and running backs Sean Mayers (1546 yards, 8 TD) of St. Peters, Scott Phaydavong (1539 yards, 9 TD) of Drake and Ed Pricolo (1339 yards, 14 TD) of Sacred Heart. Mortensen finished in the top 20 in total offense, while Mayers, Phaydavong and Pricolo were three of I-AA's top six rushers this season.
At wide receiver are San Diego's Michael Gasperson (54 receptions, 894 yards, 7 TD) and Duquesne's Michael Warfield (49 receptions, 790 yards, 12 TD). Drake tight end James Mickley (34 receptions, 462 yards, 3 TD), rounds out the trio of pass-catchers.
The offensive line consists of Duquesne' s Mike Daniluk, Geir Gudmundsen of Albany, Grant Knowles of Drake, Rob Schwab of Dayton and Keith Zapalac of San Diego. Gudmundsen and Zapalac made the Mid-Major All-America team for the second straight year.
On the All-America defensive line, Duquesne's Josh Antinopolous (63 TT, 7.5 sacks) made the team for the second year in a row. Antinopolous' teammate, Ryan Tolan (54 TT, 12.5 sacks), is on the defensive line along with Stony Brook's David Bamiro (35 TT, 8.5 sacks) and Robert Morris' Jason Forest (65 TT, 5 sacks).
Duquesne's Harry Carter (105 TT, 12 TFL) and Morehead State's Craig Unger (101 TT, 16.5 TFL, 6 sacks) made the All-America linebacking corps for the second year in a row. They are accompanied by San Diego's Jeff Langdon (104 TT, 9 TFL) and Robert Morris' James Noel (115 TT, 12 TFL, 5 sacks).
Morehead State's Charles Byrd (4 INT, 14 pass breakups) and Dayton's Doug Jones (88 TT, 2 INT) are a part of the I-AA Mid-Major All-America secondary for the second straight year. Robert Morris' Josh Marino (6 INT, 10 PBU) and Central Connecticut State's Donnie Rose (65 TT, 2 INT, 10 PBU) fill out the secondary.
The All-America special teams consist of a pair of kickers from the PFL. Dayton placekicker Jason Resch (13/19 FG) and Jacksonville punter Ryan Feely (40.9 avg) are the specialists. Robert Morris return specialist Dante Settles (14.7 PR average, 1 TD, 25.8 kick return avg) also made the squad.
All 27 players selected for The Sports Network 2004 I-AA Mid-Major All-America Team are automatically nominated for the I-AA-wide All-America team, to be announced Monday, December 13. The 22 programs of the MAAC, Northeast Conference, and Pioneer Football League, which play at a non-scholarship or limited scholarship level, make up the I-AA Mid-Major ranks.
