Sports

UAPB PLAYERS NAMED ALL-SWAC

Tuesday, July 22, 2008 11:36 PM CDT

SPECIAL TO THE COMMERCIAL

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The Southwestern Athletic Conference announces its 2008 Preseason All-Conference Football Team with Southern quarterback Bryant Lee and Prairie View A&M linebacker Zach East taking top honors.

The team was selected by nominations and votes from the member schools’ coaches and sports information contacts along with selected members of the media.

Lee, who was named the preseason offensive player of the year, spearheaded an offensive unit that finished first in passing offense, second in total offense and fourth in scoring offense last season. The Boutte, La., native tallied 2,326 passing yards in 10 games in 2007. He led the SWAC with 23 touchdown passes, while finishing with a pass efficiency rating of 152.6

East, who was tabbed the preseason defensive player of the year, came on strong during the end of the 2006 season and continued his strong play in 2007. He finished the 2007 campaign with 127 total tackles (67 solo) while being named SWAC Defensive Player of the Year. He also tallied 14.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, four forced

fumbles and a blocked kick. He had double-digit stops in nine games last season including an 18-tackle performance against Grambling State and a 19-tackle performance against Jackson State. In two years with the Panthers, he has totaled 187 total tackles.

Voters also predicted the order of finish, picking the 2007 division winners to repeat in 2008.

In the Eastern Division, SWAC champion Jackson State received 17 first-place votes en route to 105 total points. Alabama A&M, the 2006 SWAC champion, received five first-place tallies as they received 92 points for second place.

In the Western Division, 2005 champion Grambling State claimed 11 first-place votes as they earned 96 points to earn first place honors. Southern received seven first-place votes en route to 89 total points for a predicted second place finish. Arkansas-Pine Bluff was give 38 points for a predicted fourth place finish.

Alabama A&M and Southern led the count with nine preseason selections each. The Bulldogs received six first-team selections while Southern had five. Jackson State ended with seven preseason choices - three on first team and four on second team. Grambling State had three on each team for a total of six selections. Arkansas-Pine Bluff received four first-team honors and one second-team selection for a total of five. Mississippi Valley State and Alabama State each garnered four selections while Prairie View A&M had three. Alcorn State and Texas Southern carried two and one selections, respectively.

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