BROOKINGS, S.D. (Nov. 24) -- Central Washington University senior Buddy Wood (Chattaroy/Riverside HS) has been named to the Daktronics, Inc. Division II Super Region Four first team, while four teammates have received second-team honors, as was announced Tuesday.
Wood, one of two defensive co-captains on a Wildcat defense that ranks first nationally in Division II in scoring defense and rushing defense, currently ranks second on Central's squad with 92 tackles and is tied for the team and Great Northwest Athletic Conference lead with 15 1/2 tackles for losses. The 2009 GNAC Defensive Player of the Year is also within two tackles of the school's career record, while already holding school and conference records for fumbles forced, fumbles recovered, and fumble recovery touchdowns.
Although Wood was Central's only first-team selection, four Wildcats added second-team accolades. Seniors Johnny Spevak (Edgewood/Puyallup HS), Garrett Rolsma (University Place/Curtis HS), Tony Quirk (Ellensburg), and Randall Eldridge (Lynnwood) also earned all-region recognition by Daktronics, Inc. The Daktronics all-region teams are nominated for and voted upon by sports information directors at institutions within the region.
Spevak, the 2009 GNAC Offensive Player of the Year, is Central's record-setting receiver. He owns virtually every receiving record in school history including touchdowns (54), receiving yards (4,396), and receptions (315), and his reception total is currently eight shy of the NCAA Division II all-time record. In 2009, Spevak has totaled 990 yards on 71 receptions with 12 touchdowns, accounting for more than half of the Wildcats' scores through the air.
Rolsma has converted on 20 of 25 field goal attempts and 38 of 39 point-after-touchdown tries this season. He continues to extend his own career record for field goals and PATs each week, and is currently the school's all-time leading point scorer. In addition to his efforts as a place-kicker, which included a second straight first-team all-GNAC selection, he has handled all punting and kickoff duties for the Wildcats for the third straight season.
Quirk is a four-year starter at right tackle, having started in and played each of the past 48 games for the Wildcats. This season, he has helped Central lead the GNAC in rushing as it transitioned from a pass-heavy offense to a more balanced running and passing offense. Along with the other three aforementioned all-region picks, Quirk has been a starter on a CWU team that has qualified for each of the past three seasons.
Eldridge, a transfer from Western Washington, leads Central (and the GNAC) in rushing and is also among the team's receiving leaders. He has totaled 866 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns while ranking fourth on the squad with 23 receptions for 224 yards on the year. Eldridge currently leads the Wildcats with 1,090 all-purpose yards and is third in both scoring and total offense.
Central Washington has ascended to number one in the NCAA Division II national rankings and will put its 12-0 record -- the only undefeated record remaining in Division II -- on the line this Saturday (Nov. 28) against second-ranked Northwest Missouri State (11-1) in a national quarterfinal game at Tomlinson Stadium beginning at noon.
2009 DAKTRONICS, INC. DIVISION II ALL-SUPER REGION FOUR TEAM
Offensive Player of the Year: Zack Eskridge, Sr., Midwestern State (Texas)
Defensive Player of the Year: Zach Watkins, Sr., Washburn (Kan.)
FIRST TEAM OFFENSE
Quarterback: Zack Eskridge, Sr., Midwestern State (Texas). Running Back: LaRon Council, Sr., Northwest Missouri State; Fred Winborn, Jr., Texas A&M-Kingsville. Wide Receiver: Jake Soy, So., Northwest Missouri State; Andy Tanner, Sr., Midwestern State (Texas). Tight End: Mike Higgins, Jr., Nebraska-Omaha. Offensive Line: Tony Washington, Sr., Abilene Christian (Texas); Lance Calloway, Sr., Midwestern State (Texas); Brett Grozinger, Jr., Northwest Missouri State; J'Marcus Webb, Sr., West Texas A&M; Markeith Wesley, Sr., Texas A&M-Kingsville. Return Specialist: Jerome Hewitt, Sr., Southeastern Oklahoma State. Kicker: Garrett Lindholm, Sr., Tarleton State (Texas).
FIRST TEAM DEFENSE
Defensive Line: Aston Whiteside, So., Abilene Christian (Texas); William Green, Sr., Texas A&M-Commerce; Calvin Fance, So., Angelo State (Texas). Linebacker: Zach Watkins, Sr., Washburn (Kan.); Marcus Phillips, So., Tarleton State (Texas); Buddy Wood, Sr., Central Washington; Chad Kilgore, So., Northwest Missouri State. Safety: Myles Burnsides, Sr., Northwest Missouri State; Giorgio Durham, So., Central Oklahoma. Cornerback: Micah Hill, Sr., Midwestern State (Texas); Rodney Mitchell, Jr., Eastern New Mexico. Punter: Mike Langston, Jr., Dixie State (Utah).
SECOND TEAM OFFENSE
Quarterback: Blake Bolles, Jr., Northwest Missouri State. Running Back: Keithon Flemming, Sr., West Texas A&M; Randall Eldridge, Sr., Central Washington. Wide Receiver: Cedric Houston, Sr., Missouri Western; Johnny Spevak, Sr., Central Washington. Tight End: J.J. Ford, Sr., Midwestern State (Texas). Offensive Line: Jason Wiseman, Jr., Northwest Missouri State; Nathan Martin, Sr., Missouri Western; Tony Quirk, Sr., Central Washington; R.J. Brisbon, Sr., Texas A&M-Commerce; Jorge Guerra, Sr., Texas A&M-Kingsville. Return Specialist: C.J. Lovett, Sr., Fort Hays State (Kan.). Kicker: Garrett Rolsma, Sr., Central Washington.
SECOND TEAM DEFENSE
Defensive Line: Eugene Sims, So., West Texas A&M; Eric Lawrence, Sr., Washburn (Kan.); Jairius Jarvis, Sr., Missouri Southern. Linebacker: Nathan UIand, Jr., Eastern New Mexico; Fred Thompson, Jr., Abilene Christian (Texas); Kevin Washington, Jr., Abilene Christian (Texas); Bryan Braman, Jr., West Texas A&M. Safety: Tony Harp, Sr., Abilene Christian (Texas); Randy Shepherd, Sr., Central Missouri. Cornerback: Ryan Jones, Jr., Northwest Missouri State; Tae Evans, Jr., West Texas A&M. Punter: Kyle Hopf, Jr., Tarleton State (Texas).
The team, which is sponsored by Daktronics, Inc., an acknowledged leader in scoring, timing and programmable display systems, is voted on by members of the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).
