Lights well represented on Frontier
All-Conference team
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George Ferguson
Havre Daily News sports editor
With
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,
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
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,
Kickoff returner-Albert Distajo, UM-Western
Punter-Don Saisbury, MSU-Northern
Punt returner-Regan Mack, Carroll.