Avila University Football

Press Release

 

Avila University's football team received some good news on Tuesday, Nov. 25 th . Eight Eagle football players were place on the Heart of America All-Conference football teams, announced today.

That doubles the number of Avila players receiving the honor in 2007, and represents the most players in the program to receive recognition in the short existence of the school s football history.

Doug Wendel leads this list, receiving 2 nd team honors. Wendel is a returner from the 2007 all conference team as a receiver. Doug currently holds the schools title to the most receptions and yards as an Avila receiver. Wendel is the only senior on the team to start four consecutive years, never missing a single game in that time. The two time captain of the Eagle team from Blue Valley West High school, will graduate in May with a degree in Math Education.

Senior Victor Gray, from Nixa, MO, breaks into the all-conference team as a second team defensive corner back. Gray was the top interceptor in the league with 7, and was in the top 3 nationally all season for his defensive play and number of picks from the corner spot.

David Sloan, a junior from Marshfield,MO made the honorable mention list as a Punter for the HAAC team. Sloan averaged 36 yds. per kick, with a special ability to coffin corner kick, 10 of his punts where

placed inside the 20 yard line.

Steven Johnson a Kearney, MO native and 3 year starter on the Avila defensive line, makes his first appearance on the all-conference selection, as honorable mention d-line. The junior co-captain

was fourth in the league with 6.5 sacks and tenth in the league for tackles for losses. Johnson's speed rush moves are well known to coaches in the HAAC.

Jesse Richardson, Cass-Midway high school in MO, made the defensive team as an inside linebacker. Richardson was 15 th in the league for total tackles , averaging over 6 tackles per game. As an honorable mention LB, Jesse was a quality player who could cover pass as well as take on the hard dive play.

Brian Bosley, a junior from Kansas City, MO, has made the HAAC team as a linebacker. The honorable mention pick played all three linebacker positions for the Eagles, while recording 54 tackles, and 3 sacks. His ability to run the field and make plays was a big asset for the Avila defense.

Chris Smith , from Blue Springs, MO, Blue Spring high school, was another defensive pick for the Eagles on the HAAC. Smith was the lone freshman to make it on the entire defense team. Chris has an uncanny nose for the ball, and his pursuit to the play landed him in the top 10 tacklers for the Eagles at 40, with 7 tackles for a loss. His honorable mention pick on the defense line lets the league know his ability to be around for three more years.

Chris Morefield, from Blue Springs, MO, Blue Spring South high school, was the final honorable mention pick for the Eagles. Morefield as a freshman, started all 11 games for the purple and white. He played the first four at left guard and then moved into the offensive center spot to finish the year. As a true freshman Chris was the only first year player picked on the entire offensive group. His physical play on the offensive line, should see his return to all league honors for years to come.