2009 Football Weekly Awards

November 9-15

Football (Defensive)
Alex Dewey, Benedictine University
...6-3...230...Senior...Linebacker...Geneseo, Ill. (Geneseo)...
Dewey had a touchdown fumble recovery which helped Benedictine upset CUC. His six solo tackles helped the Eagle defense hold the Cougars to 225 yards, less than half their average total offense per game.

Other nominees: DJ Cooper (Concordia University Chicago), Anthony Hoitink (Concordia University Wisconsin), Tony Faller (Lakeland College), Tim Manion (Maranatha Baptist Bible College), Darnell Williams (Wisconsin Lutheran College).

Football (Offensive)
Larry Hairl, Wisconsin Lutheran College
...5-9...190...Junior...Running Back...Chicago, Ill. (Clemente)...
Hairl, who rushed for 133 yards on 16 carries, threw a seven-yard touchdown pass, the first of his career, and later added a three-yard touchdown run in Saturday’s 49-6 win over Maranatha.

Other nominees: Matt Jenkins (Benedictine University), Roberto Flores (Lakeland College).

Football (Special Teams)
Nic Horstmeier, Lakeland College
...6-2...190...Junior...Punter...Random Lake, Wis. (Random Lake)...
Horstmeier averaged 41.2 yards on four punts and hit a season-long 52-yard punt in Lakeland's 28-0 shutout of Aurora.

Other nominees: Philip Chaltis (Wisconsin Lutheran College).

November 2-8

Football (Defensive)
Kaylan Gaines, Wisconsin Lutheran College
...5-10...222...Junior...Defensive End...Lake Worth, Fla. (American Heritage)...
Gaines totaled eight solo tackles, including four for a loss, a fumble recovery and two sacks in Saturday’s 16-14 loss at Benedictine University.

Other nominees: Ryan Koziczynski (Benedictine University), Curtis Underwood (Concordia University Chicago), Keith Woodson (Lakeland College), Caleb Rader (Maranatha Baptist Bible College).

Football (Offensive)
Khyree Copeland, Concordia University Chicago
...5-8...180...Junior...Running Back...Jacksonville, Fla. (Potter's House Academy)...
Copeland set school records for single-game, season and career rushing yards in Saturday's win over Aurora University. His first carry of the second half put him at 2,192 for his career (27 games). Khyree scored touchdowns of 66, 1 and 80 yards, the latter putting him over the top for a single game with 221 (previous record 205) and season with 882 (previous 834). His effort led the Cougars to a school-record eighth win, putting them one win from the NCAA III automatic berth and CUC's first conference title since 1987.

Other nominees: Jacob Heinemeyer (Lakeland College).

Football (Special Teams)
Robert Miller, Benedictine University
...6-2...170...Freshman...Kicker...Crestwood, Ill. (St. Laurence)...
Miller's first career collegiate field goal was the game winner in a 16-14 victory over Wisconsin Lutheran College.

Other nominees: Shem Biebert (Wisconsin Lutheran College)

October 26-November 1

Football (Defensive)
Devin Montgomery, Benedictine University
...5-10...200...Senior...Linebacker...Zion, Ill. (Zion-Benton)...
Montgomery had a 30-yard touchdown on fumble return in the Eagles 32-6 victory over Maranatha. The senior linebacker had three fumble recoveries and five tackles on the day.

Other nominees: Malcolm Godwin (Concordia University Chicago), Tony Faller (Lakeland College), Josh McCormick (Wisconsin Lutheran College).

Football (Offensive)
Khyree Copeland, Concordia University Chicago
...5-8...180...Junior...Running Back...Jacksonville, Fla. (Potter's House Academy)...
Copeland recorded his 11th career 100-yard rushing game in Saturday's 22-21 double-overtime victory over Concordia Wisconsin. He broke loose on a 52-yard touchdown run to give CUC a 14-7 lead early in the fourth quarter. The junior went over the 2,000-yard rushing mark with an 11-yard run midway through the third quarter and is now 121 yards away from setting CUC's all-time rushing record that has stood since 1964.

Other nominees: Jacob Heinemeyer (Lakeland College), Zach Shaw (Wisconsin Lutheran College).

Football (Special Teams)
Philip Chaltis, Wisconsin Lutheran College
...5-8...160...Freshman...Kicker...Bradenton, Fla. (Manatee)...
Chaltis was perfect on Saturday for the Warriors, going 4-for-4 on extra point tries and 2-for-2 on field goal attempts of 20 and 23 yards, respectively.

Other nominees: Neal Revane (Benedictine University).

October 19-25

Football (Defensive)
Justin Rogers, Concordia University Wisconsin
...6-2...185...Sophomore...Safety...Milwaukee, Wis. (Vincent)...
Rogers had two interceptions, including one returned for a 24-yard touchdown, as the Falcons defeated Wisconsin Lutheran College 13-0 last Thursday. He also blocked a field goal attempt in the third quarter.

Other nominees: Pat Funk (Aurora University), Dan Kleppin (Benedictine University), Joey O'Brien (Lakeland College).

Football (Offensive)
Roberto Flores, Lakeland College
...6-0...210...Junior...Wide Receiver...Milwaukee, Wis. (Thomas More)...
Flores set a new Lakeland College record for receiving yards in a game, catching eight passes for 231 yards and three touchdowns, all in the first half as Lakeland defeated Benedictine University 30-14.

Other nominees: Khyree Copeland (Concordia University Chicago).

Football (Special Teams)
Jonathan Johnson, Concordia University Chicago
...5-7...150...Freshman...Punt Returner...Miami Gardens, Fla. (Miami Norland)...
In his first game as a returner Johnson yielded a 51-yard punt return for a touchdown and kickoff returns of 25 and 20 yards in win over Maranatha. This helped the team to a new single-game record for points with 64, breaking the previous record of 54 set in 1985.

Other nominees: Dan Winsey (Concordia University Wisconsin).

October 12-18

Football (Defensive)
Mike Budzinski, Aurora University
...5-10...220...Senior...Linebacker...Minooka, Ill. (Minooka)...
Budzinski led the Spartan defense with 16 tackles, a fumble recovery and also recovered the on-side kick at the end of the fourth quarter that gave the Spartans a chance to win the road contest. His efforts on defense held Concordia Wisconsin to 144 total yards of offense in the 24-21 loss.

Other nominees: Eddie Hill (Benedictine University), Jason Talos (Concordia University Chicago), Alex Allister (Wisconsin Lutheran College).

Football (Offensive)
Mike Marotta, Concordia University Chicago
...6-0...190...Junior...Quarterback...Brookfield, Ill. (Riverside-Brookfield)...
Marotta threw for 411 yards and five touchdown passes in CUC's 41-32 win at Lakeland College. The junior was 29-for-41 and had 73-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter.

Other nominees: John Alessi (Benedictine University), Jeremy Williams (Lakeland College), Zach Shaw (Wisconsin Lutheran College).

Football (Special Teams)
Dontrell Hall, Concordia University Wisconsin
...5-10...180...Senior...Punt Returner...Pompano Beach, Fla. (Blanche Ely)...
Hall's 55-yard punt return for a touchdown played a key role in the Falcon's 24-21 win over Aurora University. He had four returns for 76 yards in the game.

Other nominees: Shem Biebert (Wisconsin Lutheran College).

October 5-11

Football (Defensive)
Caleb Rader, Maranatha Baptist Bible College
...6-2...240...Sophomore...Linebacker...Kinross, Mich. (Maplewood Baptist)...
The sophomore linebacker led the Crusader defense with 16 tackles, including four tackles for loss, in a loss to Aurora University on Saturday. The four tackles for loss is a game-high in the NAC this season, also accomplished by WLC's Kaylan Gaines on Oct. 3.

Other nominees: Mike Budzinski (Aurora University), Devin Montgomery (Benedictine University), Justin Tlachac (Concordia University Wisconsin), Josh Gordon (Lakeland College).

Football (Offensive)
Kasiem Duran, Concordia University Wisconsin
...5-8...160...Junior...Running Back...West Palm Beach, Fla. (Palm Beach Gardens)...
Duran ran for a game-high 99 yards and two touchdowns in CUW's 24-20 victory over Benedictine University. He also led the Falcons in receiving with 60 yards on four catches.

Other nominees: Noah Martin (Aurora University), Matt Brown (Benedictine University), Jeremy Williams (Lakeland College).

Football (Special Teams)
Neal Revane, Benedictine University
...5-10...180...Senior...Punter...Villa Park, Ill. (Montini Catholic)...
Revane averaged 43.8 yards on five punts versus CUW on Saturday. The net yardage on his punts was 42.0, forcing one fair catch and two returns for 9 yards total.

Other nominees: Jacob Clapsaddle (Concordia University Chicago).

September 28-October 4

Football (Defensive)
Kaylan Gaines, Wisconsin Lutheran College
...5-10...222...Junior...Defensive End...Lake Worth, Fla. (American Heritage)...
Gaines finished with nine tackles, including a school-record 3.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles on Saturday in WLC’s 27-16 homecoming victory over Concordia University Chicago.

Other nominees: Mike Budzinski (Aurora University), Mike Hatfield (Benedictine University), Erik Prescott (Concordia University Wisconsin), Josh Gordon (Lakeland College).

Football (Offensive)
Dominique Johnson, Wisconsin Lutheran College
...6-0...170...Junior...Wide Receiver...Milwaukee, Wis. (Vincent)...
Johnson caught five passes for 115 yards and three touchdowns on Saturday in WLC’s 27-16 homecoming victory over Concordia University Chicago. Johnson, who tied a school-record for most touchdown receptions in a single game, hauled in second-quarter touchdown catches of 42, 17 and 25 yards, respectively.

Other nominees: TJ Pacchioli (Concordia University Wisconsin), Jeremy Williams (Lakeland College).

Football (Special Teams)
Neal Revane, Benedictine University
...5-10...180...Senior...Punter...Villa Park, Ill. (Montini Catholic)...
Revane's 63-yard punt was the second-longest in Sports Complex history. He also nailed three punts inside the 20-yard line, the last of which went out of bounds at the Aurora University 6-yard line in the waning moments of the game to pin the Spartans deep in their own end on their final possession, in the Eagles 21-14 victory.

Other nominees: none

September 14-20

Football (Defensive)
Josh McCormick, Wisconsin Lutheran College
...6-2...220...Junior...Linebacker...Fond du Lac, Wis. (Winnebago Lutheran)...
McCormick finished with 10 tackles, including two for a loss, a forced fumble and fumble recovery on Saturday in WLC's 27-13 win over St. Scholastica.

Other nominees: Alex Dewey (Benedictine University), Dennsa Mohamed (Concordia University Chicago), Bryan Groshek (Lakeland College).

Football (Offensive)
Larry Hairl, Wisconsin Lutheran College
...5-9...190...Junior...Running Back...Chicago, Ill. (Clemente)...
Hairl rushed for 138 yards and three touchdowns on Saturday in WLC's 27-13 road victory over St. Scholastica. Hairl, who averaged 7.3 yards per carry, helped the Warriors set a single game record for most rushing yards in a game (319). His three touchdowns also tied a school record for most rushing touchdowns in a game.

Other nominees: John Alessi (Benedictine University), Justin Peacock (Concordia University Chicago), Jacob Heinemeyer (Lakeland College).

Football (Special Teams)
Justin Laack, Lakeland College
...6-0...185...Freshman...Kick Returner...Sheboygan Falls, Wis. (Sheboygan Falls)...
The rookie returned a kickoff for an 86-yard touchdown early in the first quarter Saturday night against Carthage College. Laack returned five kicks for 173 yards and averaged 34.6 yards per return.

Other nominees: none

September 7-13

Football (Defensive)
Jarin Davis, Concordia University Chicago
...5-10...155...Senior...Safety...Jacksonville, Fla. (Potter's House Academy)...
The senior free safety had an interception and three pass break-ups as the Cougars defeated Eureka College 34-21. His interception came at the CUC 19-yard line in the second quarter when Eureka was threatening to take the lead. Davis finished with eight total tackles, second best on the team.

Other nominees: none

Football (Offensive)
Jake Heinemeyer, Lakeland College
...6-0...190...Senior...Wide Receiver...Shiocton, Wis. (Shiocton)...
The senior wide receiver caught five passes for 92 yards and two touchdowns Saturday afternoon in a loss to College of Mount St. Joseph.

Other nominees: none

Football (Special Teams)
Rob Dupre, Maranatha Baptist Bible College
...6-1...190...Senior...Punter...Lafayette, Ind. (Faith Christian)...
Dupre pinned the visiting Saints of St. Scholastica inside their 5-yard line three times in Saturday's contest with the aftermath of one resulting in a safety. Additionally Dupre ran for a first down on a fake punt.

Other nominees: none

August 31-September 6

Football (Defensive)
Nate Rosenberg, Wisconsin Lutheran College
...6-2...237...Junior...LB...Hortonville, Wis. (Fox Valley Lutheran)...
Rosenberg recorded a career-high 17 tackles in Wisconsin Lutheran College's 44-27 loss to Northwestern College (Minn.) on Saturday.

Other nominees: Jimmy Fierro (Aurora University), Matt Rolf (Concordia University Chicago), Brandon Wolff (Lakeland College).

Football (Offensive)
Mike Marotta, Concordia University Chicago
...6-0...190...Junior...QB...Brookfield, Ill. (Riverside-Brookfield)...
The second-year full-time starter completed 21 passes for 451 yards, both career bests. He led CUC to a new school-record 631 yards of total offense, breaking record of 607 that had stood since 1985. His 43-yard touchdown came on the first play from scrimmage for the Cougars.

Other nominees: Mike Anderson (Aurora University), Derek Hitt (Benedictine University), Roberto Flores (Lakeland College), Dominique Johnson (Wisconsin Lutheran College).

Football (Special Teams)
Nic Horstmeier, Lakeland College
...6-2...190...Junior...K...Random Lake, Wis. (Random Lake)...
Horstmeier connected on a 40 yard field goal in his first attempt as Lakeland kicker before halftime in the Muskies' season opener to go along with a touch back on kickoff. He was also 2-for-2 on PATs.

Other nominees: Brandon Trujillo (Aurora University).