Nov. 20, 2007
2007 All-PFL Teams 
(San Diego, CA) - Pioneer Football League officials announced today the winners of its postseason honors and the 2007 All-Pioneer Football League first and second teams. All selections were made by the league's coaches, who were not permitted to vote for their own players. USD senior defensive end Eric Bakhtiari (Burlingame, CA) was named the league's Defensive Player of the Year. Bakhtiari, a Buck Buchanan Award candidate, led the FCS in pass sacks (20; 1.81 per game) and ranked 5th in tackles-for-loss (24.5; 2.09 per game). He finished with 76 tackles, 6 quarterback hurries and 4 forced fumbles for the 9-2 Toreros who shared the PFL championship with Dayton at 6-1. Bakhtiari was co-PFL Defender of the Year in 2006. Dayton picked up the other three PFL postseason honors: senior quarterback Kevin Hoyng was named the PFL's "Offensive Player of the Year," freshman defensive back Joe Castaneda was selected the league's "Freshman of the Year" and head coach Mike Kelly was named the league's "Coach of the Year."
Also announced were the 15th All-PFL squads which were highlighted by four unanimous selections: Bakhtiari, Ronnie Pentz and JT Rogan of San Diego, Dayton's Matt Champa, Drake's Scott Phaydavong, and Morehead State's David Hyland and Mason Webb. With his unanimous first-team selection, Phaydavong becomes the sixth player in the PFL's 15 seasons to receive first-team All-PFL recognition in each of his four seasons.
Torero senior QB Josh Johnson, a Payton Watch Award candidate and the league's offensive player of the year the past two seasons, was one of nine Toreros to be named to the PFL First Team. Johnson, who led all FCS players in total offense (371.4 yards per game), points responsible for (27.40) and passing efficiency (198.3 rating), tossed 43 touchdowns to just one interception, and completed 206-of-301 passes for 2,988 yards. He closed out his brilliant career with a record of 30-4 as a starter, and 113 touchdown passes.
Rounding out USD's First Team picks were junior running back JT Rogan who rushed for 1,021 yards and combined for 18 touchdowns; senior LB Ronnie Pentz (80 tackles), senior center Jordan Paopao, senior offensive guard Gabe DeAnda, senior WR Wes Doyle (73 catches for 926 yards and 13 TDs); sophomore DB Gabe Derricks (55 tackles, 7 pass break-ups) and senior kicker Hutch Parker (88 points, 61-61 in PATs, 9-12 in field goals).
Five Toreros were named to the All-PFL 2nd Team - junior WR John Matthews (47 catches for 1,088 yards and a school-record 16 TDs); junior OL Deene Kabiling; junior CB Ben Hannula; sophomore punter John McSorley (35.9 ave., 9 inside opponent's 20); and junior return specialist JT Rogan (leads the FCS in kickoff returns, 33.2 average).
