Football | 6/27/2011 1:49:59 PM
McPherson, Kan. – In a recent announcement by Sport News, the McPherson College football team earned the ninth ranking it the publication’s annual NAIA Preseason Top 10. In addition, wide receiver Joe Middleton (Phoenix, Ariz.) and linebacker J.L. Gomez (Prosper, Texas) were named NAIA Preseason All-Americans.
The ranking marks the second time the Bulldogs have been ranked amongst the NAIA’s top 10 programs by preseason polls. The previous was in the NAIA Springs Football Coaches Top 25 released last April. In 2010, the Bulldogs swept the regular season to earn the team’s first Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference championship since 1952. In addition to the championship, McPherson advanced to the NAIA Football Championships Series for the second consecutive season.
Middleton receives his second preseason All-American award of the summer after being named by Consensus Draft Services last week. Middleton led MC last season with a career-high 73 receptions, 1,220 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns.
Gomez garners the honor following a 2010 campaign where he led the Bulldog defense with 94 tackles (51 solo) and 17 tackles for loss from his outside linebacker position. He had previously played strong safety for McPherson.
The McPherson College football team opens the 2011 season on Saturday, Sept. 3 in Marshall, Mo. against Missouri Valley College. The Bulldogs first home contest is a week later against longtime rival Bethany College.
Sporting News Preseason NAIA All-American Team
Offense
QB – Kaelin Ammons, 5-11, 207, Sr., Georgetown (Ky.)
RB – Theron Allen, 5-8, 185, Sr., Bethany (Kan.)
RB – Brandon Smith, 5-11, 216, Jr., Northwestern (Iowa)
OL – Zach Zosel, 6-3, 280, Sr., Carroll (Mont.)
OL – Mike Johnson, 6-6, 280, Sr., Saint Xavier (Ill.)
OL – Travis Hofmeyer, 5-10, 270, Sr., Northwestern (Iowa)
OL – Nick Newborn, 6-1, 300, Sr., Shorter (Ga.)
OL – Matt Byrd, 6-5, 310, Sr., Georgetown (Ky.)
TE – Juan Redmon, 6-5, 251, Sr., MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.)
WR – Clarence Anderson, 5-9, 155, Sr., Ottawa (Kan.)
WR – Joe Middleton, 6-6, 220, Sr., McPherson (Kan.)
K – Tom Lynch, 5-11, 215, Sr., Saint Xavier (Ill.)
Defense
DL – Michael Prosser, 6-2, 235, Sr., Saint Xavier (Ill.)
DL – Peter Brooks, 6-2, 270, So., Northwestern Okla. State
DL – Richard Wick, 6-2, 230, Sr., Missouri Valley
DL – Bodie Tobin, 6-3, 225, Sr., Dickinson State (N.D.)
LB – J.L. Gomez, 5-9, 195, Sr., McPherson (Kan.)
LB – Landry See, 6-0, 205, Sr., Montana State-Northern
LB – Jake Mertens, 6-2, 215, Sr., Peru State (Neb.)
DB – Brian Strobel, 5-11, 205, Sr., Carroll (Mont.)
DB – Jared Goforth, 6-0, 195, Jr., Morningside (Iowa)
DB – Dustin Craig, 6-0, 185, Sr., Marian (Ind.)
DB – J.D. Wood, 6-0, 200, Jr., MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.)
P – Alex McMahon, 5-10, 180, Jr., McKendree (Ill.)
