ANNVILLE, Pa. - The Lebanon Valley College football team handed out its post-season awards before a packed audience at its annual banquet at Mund College Center on Saturday.
The team also elected its 2011 senior captains, choosing LB
Jason Gigous, RB
Ben Guiles, DE
Cory Homer, and QB/P
Colt Zarilla.
Offensive MVP -
Ben Guiles
Junior running back
Ben Guiles had an historic 2010, setting LVC single-season records with 1,330 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns. He earned first-team all-MAC honors after leading the conference in rushing, which included seven 100-yard games and a 262-yard performance against King's.
Defensive MVP -
Alex Gilchrist
Senior linebacker
Alex Gilchrist anchored LVC's defense with 74 tackles, including a team-best 48 solo stops, and 20.0 tackles for a loss, which ranked seventh in the nation. A first-team all-MAC and second-team all-region selection, Gilchrist made 7.5 sacks from his outside linebacker spot.
Special Teams MVP -
Nic Shirey
Senior
Nic Shirey was one of the MAC's top return threats in 2010, taking back 17 kick-offs for a 23.2 yard average and 15 punts for a 9.2 yard average.
Unsung Hero -
Brendan Riley
Senior tight end
Brendan Riley was the team's leading receiver, catching 29 passes for 379 yards and six touchdowns, including two scores in the ECAC South Atlantic Bowl. Riley was also a key blocker for LVC's offense that ran for 188.4 yards per game.
Hammer Hit Award -
Jur'ey Fowlkes
Senior free safety
Jur'ey Fowlkes earned the Hammer Hit Award for the second straight year. The honor is given to a defensive player who consistantly hits the hardest during the season.
Scott Wallace Memorial Award -
Matt Mankiewicz
Junior tight end
Matt Mankiewicz was named the Scott Wallace Memorial Award recipient, given to a returning team member in good academic standing who displays exemplary play on the field. Mankiewicz caught five passes for 68 yards with a touchdown in 2010.
Walter Sheets Memorial Offensive Lineman Award -
Jason Sneeringer
Senior right tackle
Jason Sneeringer anchored the LVC offensive line in 2010. A third-team all-region and first-team all-MAC pick, Sneeringer did not allow a sack individually in pass protection, and LVC ran for 188.4 yards per game. He was a preseason all-American and played in the D3 Senior Classic all-star game.
Service Players of the Year -
Conrad Heisey (
offensive),
Jared Danneker (
defensive),
Jordan Ott (
special teams)
The Service Player of the Year awards are given to players who show outstanding dedication and drive in helping the varsity team prepare for their opponents during practice. Heisey, Danneker, and Ott were all invaluable to the team in mimicking opponents' schemes in practice during the week.
MAC Sportsmanship Award -
Nick Bowne
The Sportsmanship Award, which is voted on by the coaching staff, is a conference-wide award given to a player who best exemplifies the ideals of sportsmanship in amateur athletics. Junior nose tackle
Nick Bowne started eight games in an injury-shortened year, making 45 tackles with 4.5 for a loss and 1.5 sacks.
