Paced by coach of the year Mike Sirianni, Washington & Jefferson College dominated the 2006 All-Presidents’ Athletic Conference football selections with eight first-team picks.
In addition to Sirianni, Thomas More College senior linebacker Mark Carlisle was honored as PAC player of the year.
W&J;’s first-teamers included quarterback Bobby Swallow, running back Ryan Mendel, offensive linemen Chris Hickey and Chris Teter, defensive lineman Dan Brodland, linebacker Aaron Bane, defensive back Nick Cherish and placekicker Kyle Sidebotham.
A quartet of Thiel College players were named first-team, including offensive lineman Ricky Gable, wide-out Marc LaScola, defensive lineman Chris Lorber and defensive back Steve Boyle, while Grove City College center Matt Gregg and punter Henry Johnston were similarly lauded.
The eight W&J; players paced the first-team All-PAC picks, followed by Thomas More (5) and Waynesburg (5), Thiel (4), Grove City (2) and Bethany (1).
The lone locals to receive All-PAC honors were Westminster College senior wide receiver Jake Buzard (West Middlesex High) and Thiel senior nose tackle Logan Malie (Sharon High), who received honorable mention. Another area product, W&J; defensive back Gabe McKee (Hubbard High) also was honorably mentioned. Buzard caught 38 passes for 451 yards for the Titans (2-8, 1-5), while Malie was the emotional barometer for the Tomcats (5-5, 4-2).
All-PAC second-team selections were accorded:
ä Thiel — Offensive linemen Jim Fawcett and Rock Davis, H-back Jon Kutterna, running back Steve Minton, quarterback Billy Blankenship, defensive lineman Robert Hughes, linebacker Chris Hlinka.
ä Westminster — Wide receiver Brett Ziegler, defensive back Josh Weese, punter Dusty Rhodes.
ä Grove City — Offensive lineman Bob Perri, defensive lineman Justin Fowler.
In addition to Buzard, other area honorable-mention choices included:
ä Grove City — Offensive lineman Matt Rice, wide receiver Scott Fichter, running back Matt Weil, quarterback Andrew DiDonato, defensive lineman Jordan Johnston, linebacker Bill Waugh, defensive back Shane Coughlin.
ä Thiel — Offensive lineman Percy Sweeting, wide receiver Brett Helman, running back Dan Hess, linebackers Jeff Wagner and Mike Stimac, defensive back Mike Lebetz, punter/placekicer Sammy Koyl.
ä Westminster — Offensive lineman Randy Sylvester, quarterback Kevin Franz, defensive lineman Matt Jaworski, linebacker Jordan Blinn, defensive back Jake Wilczynski, placekicker Fred Romeo.
