George Ferguson
Havre Daily News sports editor
gferguson@havredailynews.com
With Carroll College claiming its fourth straight NAIA national championship last Saturday in Savannah, Tenn., the 2005 Frontier Conference football awards were finally announced Tuesday afternoon.
The Montana State University-Northern Lights had 10 players named to the all-conference team this season, including three first-teamers.
Leading Northern's first-teamers is 6-3, 315-pound junior offensive lineman Scott Church. Church anchored a much-improved Northern offensive line this season.
Defensive end Andrew Leightman and sophomore safety Marc Samson were both named to the first-team defense. The pair were key in helping the Lights finish second in the conference this season in total defense.
Northern also had seven players on the second team, including quarterback Kyle Samson. In his second year as the Lights starter, Samson had a remarkable season, leading the league in total offense. He also finished second in passing and third in the league in rushing.
Senior wide receiver Nick Arnold earned all-conference honors for the second time in his career.
Sophomore running back Don Saisbury was the only Light to be named to the all-conference team at two different positions. Saisbury, who finished in the top 10 in the conference in rushing this year, was named as a second-team running back as well as a second-team punter. Senior offensive lineman Levi Wesche was also named to the second-team offense.
Three Northern players were named to the second team defense, led by senior defensive lineman Lee Dresch, who was among the league leaders in sacks this season. Sophomore linebacker Dilan Saisbury and junior defensive back Jake Eldridge were also named to the second team.
The Lights went 5-5 overall this season and finished alone in third place in the conference standings with a 3-5 record. Northern returns the bulk of its roster for the 2006 season.
Offensive Player of the Year
Tyler Emmert, quarterback, Carroll College
Defensive Player of the Year
Jeff Shirley, defensive lineman, Carroll
Coach of the Year
Mike Van Diest, Carroll.
FIRST TEAM
Offense
Quarterback-Tyler Emmert
Running backs-Josh Johnson, Montana Tech; Ryan Grosulak, Carroll.
Tight end-Justin Airola, Rocky.
Wide receiver-Tyler Petersen, Carroll; Jake Larson, Montana-Western; Jason Hagadone, Rocky.
Offensive line-Chad Erwin, Montana Tech; Kyle Baker, Carroll; Nick Hammond, Carroll; Scott Church, MSU-Northern; Daniel Alemida, Rocky.
Defense
Linebackers-Gary Cooper, Carroll; Jeff Pasha, Carroll; Jason Rixford, Rocky; Tucker Edmundson, Montana Tech.
Defensive linemen-Jeff Shirley, Carroll; Andy Leightman, MSU-Northern; J.J. Perino, Montana Tech; Phil Lenoue, Carroll.
Defensive backs-Adam Cotton, Montana Tech; A.J. Porrini, Carroll; Marc Samson, MSU-Northern; Matt Thomas, Carroll.
Special Teams
Placekicker-Marcus Miller, Carroll.
Kickoff returner-Daniel Ghormley, Rocky.
Punter-Ben Chaet, Carroll
Punt returner-Tyler Peterson, Carroll
SECOND TEAM
Offense
Quarterback-Kyle Samson, MSU-Northern.
Running backs-Don Saisbury, MSU-Northern; Jed Thomas, Carroll.
Tight end-Marshall McEwen, Carroll.
Wide Receivers-Dustin Michaelis, Carroll; Nick Arnold, MSU-Northern; Travis Hartman, UM-Western.
Offensive line-Jason Ostler, Carroll; Dan Mazurek, Carroll; T.J. Wood, Rocky; Markona Mardonada, UM-Western; Nic McLain, Montana Tech; Levi Wesche, MSU-Northern.
Defense
Linebackers-Seamus Malloy, Carroll; Dilan Saisbury, MSU-Northern; Josh Schmidt, Carroll; Nathan Prach, Montana Tech.
Defensive linemen-Brigham Rowe, Rocky; Lee Dresch, MSU-Northern; Chris Ramstead, Carroll; Stephen O'Neal, UM-Western; Shane Hensley, Montana Tech.
Defensive back-Nick Prinzing, UM-Western; Regan Mack, Carroll; Jake Eldridge, MSU-Northern; Roger Larson, Rocky.
Special Teams
Placekicker-Dan Kleckner, Montana Tech.
Kickoff returner-Albert Distajo, UM-Western
Punter-Don Saisbury, MSU-Northern
Punt returner-Regan Mack, Carroll.
