Football | 11/16/2023 4:55:00 PM
WICHITA, Kan. — Eleven players from the McPherson College football team secured All-KCAC honors, as voted on by the KCAC Coaches, the league announced Thursday (Nov. 16).
"I'm very proud of the young men that were honored as all-conference performers for our program today," head coach Jeremiah Fiscus said. "They performed well enough and had statistics to garner the attention and votes of the other KCAC Head Coaches. They all made significant impacts for the football program."
Nehemiah Figueroa had a season to remember in 2023 to grab First-Team All-KCAC honors. He ended with six interceptions; a mark that placed him tied for third in the NAIA. He also finished with 55 total tackles, including 39 solo stops and four tackles for a loss.
Figueroa's first season with the Bulldogs could not have started better, picking off four passes in his first three games. The Boyertown, Pa. native had a career-day to help seal the comeback win over Sterling in week two, finishing with two interceptions and a fumble recovery. That performance led to being named KCAC and NAIA Defensive Player of the Week.
Marquis Willoughby was the leader of the defense, posting a team-high 87 tackles, including 43 solo tackles. He also had three sacks for 26 yards, forced a team-best four fumbles, and had one interception.
Brysen Kerby picked up Second-Team Special Teams recognition, after returning 10 kickoffs for 180 yards. Kerby also stepped into the lead-back role for the Bulldogs this season, finishing with team-highs of 110 carries for 532 yards and six rushing touchdowns. He also caught a team-best 36 passes for 384 yards and two scores.
In addition to Willoughby and Kerby, Harley Blaske picked up second-team honors catching 15 passes for 164 yards and five touchdown receptions.
Offensive lineman Christopher Shaw was crucial to the Bulldogs success, paving the way for 1,441 rushing yards and 18 rushing touchdowns to secure a second-team selection.
Kevin Dodd routinely pinned the opponents deep, downing 24 of his 58 punts inside the 20-yard line, with just three touchbacks. He averaged 37.3 yards per punt, with a career-long 72-yard kick in the season finale at Southwestern.
The Bulldogs All-KCAC Honorable Mention Selections are listed below:
Traven Lewis Johnson (28 catches, team-high 561 yards, five touchdowns)
Tristan Szabo (2,323 passing yards, 22 passing touchdowns, 204 rushing yards, four touchdowns)
Alvin Poole (staple on the Bulldogs offensive line since 2019)
Jacob Goad (35 tackles, team-high 3.5 sacks, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery)
Taeylon Garland (49 tackles, nine tackles for loss, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery)
For the full list of All-KCAC honorees, CLICK HERE.
