Eleven College of Wooster players were honored on the All-North Coast Athletic Conference Football Team, highlighted by first-team selections Matt DeGrand at outside linebacker, John Obery at offensive line, and Storm Tropea at offensive line, it was announced Monday by the league office.
Voted to the All-NCAC Second Team were return specialist Bryan Albani, center Josh Clark, tight end Cameron Daniels, running back Robert Flagg, and defensive back Taylor Trout, while quarterback Austin Holter, placekicker Russ Palm, and offensive lineman Todd Spillman received honorable mention.
DeGrand was one of the top defensive players across the NCAC again, earning a third all-conference award and second first-team honor in a row. The senior standout led the league in tackles and ranks sixth in NCAA Div. III, averaging 12.4 a game while totaling 112, despite missing seven quarters due to injury. In addition to those impressive tackle numbers, DeGrand intercepted two passes, returning one 82 yards for a touchdown against Ohio Wesleyan University (Sept. 19), and registered two forced fumbles. He saved some of his best outings for nationally-ranked competition, tallying 19 tackles, including a career-high 11 solos, at arch-rival and No. 12 Wittenberg University (Nov. 14), and 15 stops, including 1.5 sacks, against No. 18 Wabash College.
Obery, the Fighting Scots' 6-8, 305-pound senior left tackle, collects his second all-NCAC recognition, moving up from second-team status a season ago. He started all 10 games, protecting Holter's blindside, and was an integral member of a unit that is among the top-50 nationally in both total offense (407.5 ypg) and scoring offense (31.3 ppg). Obery graded out at 74 percent and produced 60 knockdowns, according to the coaching staff's statistics, and as a unit, Wooster rated first in the conference in both sacks allowed with nine and rushing yards per attempt at 5.6.
Tropea, who was also on the left side of the line at the starting guard spot, becomes a two-time first-team all-league honoree, garnering the accolade last fall as well. The 6-0, 265-pound three-year starter graded out as the Scots' top lineman again, 80 percent, up three percentage points from the 2008 season, and he gained credit for 56 knockdowns, according to the coaches. Tropea, also a member of the senior class, helped Wooster rank as the third-best offense in the NCAC, both in terms of yardage and scoring.
Albani, who was selected first-team all-NCAC as a cornerback previously (2008), put together one of the best seasons in school history as a kick returner. He averaged 29.6 yards – a league high, currently No. 4 in Div. III, and third-highest in the Wooster annals – over 22 attempts, highlighted by two run backs for touchdowns. During the season opener against Waynesburg University (Sept. 5), Albani brought one up the field 88 yards for a score and 32-27 lead, and he returned another a school-record 93 yards, giving the Scots a 32-31 lead in the third quarter of their game with Case Western Reserve University (Oct. 10).
Clark, another senior member of the offensive line, is now a two-time all-conference pick after having been honorable mention last year. Responsible for the line calls from his center position, the 6-0, 280-pound Clark graded out at 72 percent to go with 58 knockdowns, according to the coaches' numbers. In addition to the league-low nine sacks allowed, the offensive line helped Wooster rank second in rushing offense (185.4 ypg).
Daniels, a sophomore, picks up the initial postseason award of his career, in spite of missing the final two games due to illness. In addition to blocking for the No. 2 run game in the NCAC, the 6-3, 230-pound tight end was a regular target in the passing game, as he caught 25 balls for 265 yards and four scores. Daniels registered three or more receptions in seven games, including a 71-yard day at Allegheny College (Oct. 31) and two-touchdown game at Earlham College (Oct. 3).
Flagg, the Scots' explosive 5-7, 175-pound running back, is a first-timer on the All-NCAC Team as a sophomore. He combined for 867 yards, 570 rushing on 103 carries and 297 receiving on 28 catches. Flagg ranked as the conference's sixth-leading rusher (57.0 ypg) and fourth in all-purpose yardage (117.2 ypg) when factoring in his receiving and return yardage as well. He broke out for a career-high 134 yards rushing against Oberlin College (Nov. 7), and he totaled three touchdowns.
Trout turned out to be the squad's top defensive back en route to picking up his first all-league certificate. The 6-1, 175-pound cornerback paced Wooster with three interceptions, returning one 94 yards for a score at Earlham College (Oct. 3), and he also broke up four other passes. Trout, who also served as the punt returner, finished with 30 tackles, one fumble recovery, and one forced fumble.
Holter, a two-time all-NCAC recipient (second-team in 2008), was one of the most dynamic offensive players in the conference this fall. A true dual threat at quarterback, he ranked second in the NCAC in total offense (287.3 ypg) as well as 27th nationally with a school-record total of 2,873 yards. Holter rushed for 767 stripes, averaging 6.3 per carry, and passed for a school-record 2,106 yards, completing 57.1 percent of his throws. Holter played a part in 27 touchdowns (seven rushing, 20 passing) and committed just 11 turnovers, a significant improvement over the previous year (23).
Palm, a junior and first-year starter at placekicker for the Scots, led the team in scoring with 65 points, converting a perfect 35-for-35 on point after attempts and 10-for-16 field goals. His 35 extra points were the most in a season without a miss in program history and the 10 field goals made equaled another school record. Palm was 10-of-12 on field goals inside of 40 yards, with a long of 36 occurring against Ohio Wesleyan University (Sept. 19).
Spillman, the fourth member of Wooster's offensive line recognized on the 2009 All-NCAC Team, anchored the right side. The coaching staff graded the 6-4, 270-pound tackle at 70 percent with 48 knockdowns, as Spillman helped the offense gain 400-plus yards in four games, including two 500-yard outings. The Scots also were just one of two teams all season to go over 200 against Wittenberg University's No. 1 ranked defense.