A Christian University & Bible College in Texas (Assemblies of God)

All-Conference Gridders Honored

Hudgins Leads Seven Honorees

ALVA, Oklahoma -- The league offices of the Central States Football League announced its 2010 All-Conference honors. The complete team is listed below. Southwestern Assemblies of God University had seven players honored in a vote of the conference coaches.

LB  Jared Hudgins

To the surprise of no one, senior linebacker Jared Hudgins (Midland, Tx / Midland Christian) was voted to the First Team All-CSFL defense. The 6-foot-2, 225 pounder led the league in tackles for the second straight season, making 10.1 per game.

Last year he led the NAIA nation with 14.6 stops, which made him a marked man by enemy offenses this year. His total still ranked him #11 in the country.

Coach Godding Speaks of Hudgins

One of nine team captains this year, Hudgins was SAGU's lone representative on the First Team. Head Coach Jesse Godding spoke glowingly of a player who performed consistently during a standout four year era. "Jared Hudgins is deserving of every accolade he can receive," he say this week. "He had another stellar year to end his collegiate career. He will be missed as a player and teammate."

Hudgins was part of a linebacking unit (the top three tacklers were LB's) that was as deep as they were talented. His play could be described as a range rover, as his lateral pursuit and magnetic pull towards the ball was a constant. But any description of Hudge would be incomplete if it didn't include his heart.

Hudgins and the Lions defense enjoyed a number of stellar performances, especially during the first half of games. The way they shutdown teams deserved a better fate than 2-8.

The Pre-Season All-American lived up to the hype. He was the face of Southwestern football.

Southwestern finished 2-8 during a season that had a healthy share of high points. Granted, the squad had higher hopes and finished the year with a great yearning to finish the business they began this fall. The Lions were at their best when playing the best teams in the CSFL. They had six members who were chosen on the Second Team.

"Coach Speak" about the Second Teamers

"We were pleased to put six Second Team selections on the all-conference team," said Coach Godding, who completed his ninth campaign this month. "We had two seniors and four underclassmen represented in that group."

He introduced them too. "The seniors, Darion Waits and Michael Thomas, represented a large part of our offensive success. Two other underclassmen on the offensive side, Eddie Bailey Jr. and Paul Sielski were recognized for their efforts. We are pleased to be able to bring them back next year for and anticipate their continued success."

"Defensively, Jon Hulett and Nick Ekanem were two individuals who warranted attention from offenses whenever they lined up. They were both underclassmen. Due to injuries they did not have the season they expected but are some of our most valuable players. It was good to have the conference recognize their contribution to our team."

WR  Darion Waits

Wide Receiver Waits (Waxahachie, Tx / Ennis HS), at 6'0 and 190 pounds, battled through the foot injury that sidelined him for much of 2009. He led the Lions in receptions with 41. The effervescent Waits was also chosen by coaches on the Second Team as a sure-handed kick returner on special teams.

OL  Mike Thomas

"Big Mike" Thomas (Washington, Tx / Brenham HS), had another exemplary season on the offensive line. At 6'3, he tipped the scales at 350. He was overpowering whether he was at guard or tackle.

OL  Paul Sielski

Coupled with Paul Sielski (North Richland Hills, Tx / Richland HS), the O-line had several stalwarts. Often at tackle, Sielski (SELL-skee) utilized his considerable size (6'2, 320) to help lead a rushing game that doubled their output from 2009.

The Lions averaged 143 yards a game on the ground, scoring 15 TD's. Only Northwestern Oklahoma State University (211.2 per gm) ran the ball better than the Purple Pride. The real proof of a ground game's might is their play by play ability to march on land. Example: SAGU gained 4.6 per carry after picking up only 2.9 per tote in 2009. Last fall they managed just 72 yards running, and eight scores. Thomas and Sielski were key reasons.

RB  Eddie Bailey, Jr.

The chief beneficiary of the offensive line's progress was halfback, Eddie Bailey, Jr. (Milwaukee, Wisc / John Jay HS of San Antonio HS). The 5'9, 195-lb freshman came close to breaking Southwestern's single season rushing record (1,036 by Chris Eiland).

Bailey, a slasher who combines speed and cutback skills, busted through opponents front walls for 949 yards. NWOSU's Nate Guillory (1,179 yds, 6.0 per carry, 14 TDs) was the only RB to gain more yards, and he played in eleven games to Bailey's nine. In fact, Guillory (GILL-uh-REE), a senior, averaged 107.2 per game to Bailey's 105.4.

Bailey picked up a whopping 7.2 every time he got his hands on the ball (best in the CSFL), with twelve carries causing officials to raise their arms. He was #11 in the nation in rushing yards per game. Bailey is expected back to Waxahachie next fall, and could be the focal point of the offense. A graduate of San Antonio's John Jay High School, their mascot was the Mustang. He was thoroughbred as a Lions' frosh.

Bailey out-rushed two of the backs who were chosen ahead of him. Langston's Carlos Ross had 835 yards in 10 games, while Northwestern's Jared Jackson amassed 567. He also caught more passes. Bailey snared 27 for 238 yards. Ross had 24 for 200, with Jackson receiving just 11.

The defense had two reps on the Second Team. It could've easily been more.

DT  Johnathan Hulett

Johnathan Hulett (Corrigan, Tx / Corrigan HS), a junior, was an immovable force on the line. He endured injuries and missed two games. At 6-foot-2 and 330, his quickness belied his considerable size. Going through double-teams on the interior, Hulett (HYOO-let) could disrupt a running game or break down the pocket.

The Lions yielded just 125 yards per game on the ground, which was second best in the CSFL. Opposing ballcarriers made only 3.9 per carry. The defense was #2 in the CSFL in 2009 as well, surrendering 3.9 again. Hulett was a main cog in the wheel.

Like the All State commercials, he was the 'mayhem' in the middle of line wars. Exhibit A was the team's defensive tenacity against Northwestern's Nate Guillory. They shut him down and Hulett knocked him out.

In 2009, when he led the nation with 1,600 yards, Guillory rushed for 178 yards against the Lions. This year the defense permitted him only 21 yards.

Overall Team Defense

Overall, the difference was in defending after what is referred to as "sudden change" plays; what they did following turnovers by the Lions offense. SAGU forced 24 turnovers, the same number they coaxed a year ago. The difference was in turnover margin, when the Lions were a league-leading +1 in turnover margin in 2009 to -7 this season. SAGU's secondary suffered season-ending injuries to all but one starter.

CB Nick Ekanem

Nick Ekanem (Richmond, Tx / B.F. Terry HS) was chosen on the Second Team as a cornerback. Like Hudgins, he was a Pre-Season All-American (both by The Sporting News), the 5'10, 195 pound sophomore didn't enjoy the same level of achievements he did as a freshman when he led the nation in passes defended (and was third in interceptions). But Ekanem still was tied for the team lead in picks with three and led in break-ups with eight. He was seldom tested by enemy QB's.

Ekanem (EE-kon-um) averaged 4.2 tackles per game before injuring a knee when punched during coverage in the end zone by a NWOSU wide receiver. The play required surgery, finishing his year. He has the ability to be a shutdown CB, as evidenced by his 2009 effort. He missed three games this season.

CSFL ANNOUNCES ALL-LEAGUE TEAMS FOR 2010

Coach of the Year: Mike Cochran, Southern Nazarene

Co-Offensive Players of the Year: WR Korey Williams, Northwestern; QB Brady Wardlaw, Southern Nazarene

Defensive Player of the Year: Rocky Lee, Northwestern

Special Teams Player of the Year: Nate Guillory, Northwestern

First Team - Offense

First Team – Defense

First Team - Special Teams

Second Team – Offense

Second Team – Defense

Second Team - Special Teams