Southern football has 10 named to All-MIAA squad

Kansas City, Mo. -- The Missouri Southern football team has had ten individuals named to the All-MIAA squad as announced by the league office today. 

Senior offensive lineman Ian Saxton, as well as junior wide receiver Landon Zerkel and junior defensive lineman Brandon Williams all made the league's first-team. Williams was a repeat first-team selection from a year ago and was a unanimous selection by the league's coaches. 

Joining that group was junior defensive lineman Kenny Smith whom was named a second team selection. Junior wide receiver Ne'Ronte Threatt, senior quarterback Collin Howard, junior linebacker Alex Wong, sophomore tight end Austin Lepper, junior defensive back Brian Rodgers and freshman defensive lineman Ryon Phillips all earned honorable mention All-MIAA. 

Saxton was a pre-season All-American this season and played at multiple spots on the offensive line for the Lions. Twice this season, the Lions broke the school record for total offense and Southern finished the regular season ranked 39th in Division II in total offense. 

Zerkel finished the season as the MIAA leader in receptions per game and in receiving yards per game. He ranked fourth and sixth nationally in each of those categories. Zerkel has one more season in a Southern jersey and could top the list of most every receiving catergory when it's all said and done. He finishes this season second all-time in pass receptions (172) and needs just 78 to tie Colin Bado for No. 1 all-time. His 2,433 receiving yards rank third all time and he needs just 357 to move into second and 690 to pass Rod Smith for tops in that category. His 17 receiving touchdowns rank fourth all-time and he sits just one from tying for third and four from tying for second all-time. His 77 catches this year rank third all-time in a single-season, as well as his 1,047 receiving yards. 

Williams was a preseason All-American selection this season after being named to multiple All-American teams a season ago. This year, Williams finished third in the MIAA in sacks (8), while ranking second in tackles for a loss. He ranked 13th nationally in tackles for a loss and 19th in sacks. His eight sacks this year is tied for fourth in a single-season, and his 18.5 career sacks rank third all-time. He needs just two to move into second and five to be the all-time sacks leader at Southern. 

Washburn's Dane Simoneau was named the MIAA Offensive Player of the Year, while Pittsburg State's Nate Dreiling was the Defensive Player of the Year. Missouri Western's Greg Zuerlein was the Special Teams Player of the Year, while Northwest Missouri's Bryce Enyard was the Freshman of the Year. Pitt State coach Tim Beck was the MIAA Coach of the Year.