2016 G-MAC All-Conference Football Team (PDF)
INDIANAPOLIS – The first-ever Great Midwest Athletic Conference Football All-Conference Team was released on Monday, capping the league’s first full year of official competition with a champion crowned.
The all-conference team was comprised of student-athletes from Alderson Broaddus, Kentucky Wesleyan and Malone, after a vote by the G-MAC coaches.
A total of 24 student-athletes were honored to either the all-conference offensive/defensive team or special teams unit. Additionally, the G-MAC Offensive, Defensive, Special Teams and Coach of the Year awards, were also determined through the voting.
Alderson Broaddus was the official league champion in 2016, edging Kentucky Wesleyan in Phiippi, WV, to also defend its hold on the second annual G-MAC Founders Cup Game trophy.
The Battlers led all schools with 13 total selections, Malone garnered eight selections and KWC had four total honorees (from three players).
Earning G-MAC Coach of the Year was Alderson Broaddus’ Dennis Creehan, who navigated the Battlers to a 7-2 (9-2 including NCAA non-countable opponents) record in what was announced as his final season at the helm.
Creehan oversaw the growth and development of an emergent program that celebrated a large Senior Day gathering with the recognition of 37 total student-athletes. Winning the first G-MAC Championship trophy and retaining the G-MAC Founders Cup Game trophy makes the 2016 campaign that much more special in the program’s archives.
Simultaneously earning G-MAC Offensive Player of the Year and G-MAC Special Teams Player of the Year was Kentucky Wesleyan all-purpose threat
Keelan Cole. The senior speedster lit up opponents for over 1,400 receiving yards in 11 games.
Cole scored 15 touchdowns to lead all payers and paced the league with yards per catch (24.6) and yards per game (127.4). He recorded 57 receptions on the season and easily topped the G-MAC in all-purpose yardage with 2,181 on the year.
Teams still had to account for Cole on returns and he was equally as dangerous in the kick and punt return game. Cole still made coverage units pay with a pair of kickoff returns for scores in games against Davidson and Malone.
Cole earned G-MAC Offensive Player of the Week status three times and collected a pair of G-MAC Special Teams Player of the Week awards as well.
Sharing co-G-MAC Defensive Player of the Year honors was Alderson Broaddus senior safety
Michael James and Malone senior defensive lineman
Tyler Bowman.
James led the G-MAC in interceptions with five, including two in the regular-season finale against Kentucky Wesleyan, and finished second in the conference in tackles per game with 7.1. He also had a forced fumble and seven total tackles for a loss.
Bowman racked up 50 tackles in his final season for the Pioneers, accumulating 1.5 sacks and four tackles for a loss.
Malone also collected the G-MAC Freshman of the Year award with rookie offensive lineman
Zak Hill receiving the first-year honor. From Roseville, Mich., Hill was a force up front in pass protection and the run-blocking schemes as the Pioneers gathered four total offensive player of the week awards.
Cole was joined on the offensive all-conference team by the AB backfield of
Dakota Bruggeman at quarterback and
Brandon Jones at running back. the other running back was three-time G-MAC Offensive Player of the Week
Matt Blasiole. The receiving corps of Cole and Alderson Broaddus sophomore A.J. Cummings was also joined by tight end
Cooper Schroeder of AB. The interior linemen featured a trio of Battlers, including
Erik Bearer,
William Iacobucci and
Cory Beasy, along with two Malone Pioneers,
Chris Henke and
JD Stamper.
The defensive unit was headlined by Bowman and James. Flanking Bowman on the defensive line was teammate
Austin Cary and AB senior tandem
Jeff Stephens and
Tanner Leach up front. The linebackers included Kentucky Wesleyan's
Vasco Billberry, Malone's
Ryan Weber and another AB senior,
Brooks Arthur. The DB's were ballhawking group with James, AB's
Malcolm Lee, KWC's
Ty Martin-Miles and Malone's
Daniel Tepe, all making the all-conference defensive team.
Each institution was represented on special teams as three-time player of the week
Marcus Moeller (Malone), AB punter
Grant Noon and KWC's Cole, all earning the votes of the coaches.
The complete 2016 G-MAC All-Conference Football Team can be found in the PDF at the top of the page.