All-NACC Football postseason awards announced
MILWAUKEE, Wis. – Concordia Wisconsin had 13 players represented on the All-Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference postseason awards list, the league office announced on Friday afternoon.
The Falcons had five players earn All-NACC First Team recognition, five on the All-NACC Second Team list and four were named All-NACC Honorable Mention.
All-NACC First Team honorees
Senior quarterback Aaron Nixon (North Prairie, Wis.) led the NACC in passing yards (2,556), passing touchdowns (23), passing completions (191), passing attempts (333) and was second in completion percentage (57.4). He also rushed for 537 yards and eight touchdowns. The offensive signal caller had four games with 300-plus yards and a season-high 410 yard and four touchdown performance in a road win at Benedictine.
Senior wide receiver Josh Sanders (Phoenix, Ariz.) ended the season with NACC bests in receptions (56), receiving yards (876) and receiving touchdowns (11). He hauled in at least five catches in five games this season and had a career-best 15 during a home victory over Augsburg. Sanders also had a career-high 223 receiving yards in a road win at Benedictine, while also hauling in two touchdowns in four-straight games in the first half of the season.
Sophomore linebacker Dwayne Rackard III (Orlando, Fla.) led the Falcons defense with 96 total tackles, which ranked third in the league. He had a conference-best 64 assisted tackles. Rackard III had one sack and picked off two passes. The linebacker made double-digit tackles in seven of the 10 games this season.
Freshman defensive back Josiah McDermit (Kansasville, Wis.) was second in the league in passes defended (11) and interceptions (4). He also had 42 total tackles. The defensive back broke up multiple passes in three games, including a season-best four in a road win at Benedictine. McDermit intercepted a pair of passes and returned them for 51 yards in a home victory over Alma.
Senior punter Jacob Mason (Slinger, Wis.) was second in the NACC with 19 punts inside the 20-yard line and had an average of 37.5. He had a season-long 58 yard punt in a home win over Concordia Chicago and averaged over 40 yards a punt in three games this season. Mason boomed a punt of at least 50 yards in seven games this season.
All-NACC Second Team honorees
Junior H-back Jake Riportella (Des Plaines, Ill.) ended the season with 24 receptions for 437 yards and six touchdowns. He had multiple receiving touchdowns in a pair of games and at least three receptions in five contests. Riportella had a career-best five receptions for 149 yards and two scores in a road win at Benedictine.
Freshman offensive lineman Tyler Ryan (Winona, Minn.) helped the Falcons offense third in total offense (4,094 yards) and first in passing yards (2,609). His efforts as an offensive lineman helped the unit score over 30 points four times and accumulate over 500 total offensive yards in seven games.
Sophomore linebacker Justin Dunlap (Henderson, Nev.) was second on the team with 60 total tackles, while also recording five tackles for loss. He registered double-digit tackles three games in a row, including a career-best 17 total (eight solo) in a home victory over Lakeland.
Sophomore defensive back Brandon Hargis (Henderson, Nev.) had 32 total tackles, which was fourth amongst defensive backs on the team. He also had an interception in three different games. Hargis made a season-high six total tackles in a road game at Rockford.
Mason was second in the league with five field goals on eight attempts, to go along with 33 extra points made on 35 attempts. He scored 48 points as a kicker and had at least six in five games. Mason twice scored nine points in back-to-back weeks late in the season
All-NACC Honorable Mention honorees.
Junior wide receiver Isaiah Tenette (Sacramento, Calif.) ended the season with 462 receiving yards on 32 receptions and four touchdowns. He also had 20 kickoff returns for 318 yards. Tenette had a career game with eight receptions for 224 yards and two scores in a home game against Eureka.
Freshman offensive lineman Jerry Carey III (Chicago, Ill.) helped the Falcons offense third in total offense (4,094 yards) and first in passing yards (2,609). His efforts as an offensive lineman helped the unit score over 30 points four times and accumulate over 500 total offensive yards in seven games.
Freshman defensive lineman Cameron Kohler (Westlake Village, Calif.) was sixth on the team with 43 total tackles (20 solo), while also recording a sack, forcing two fumbles and breaking up five passes. He had a season-best 13 tackles (six solo) in a road win at Benedictine.
Freshman defensive lineman Caleb Young (Glenview, Ill.) ended the season with 12 total tackles. He had a season-best five tackles in a home game against Eureka.
Concordia Wisconsin finished the season 7-3 overall and 5-2 in the NACC, which was good for second place.