NATCHITOCHES – A dozen Northwestern State players earned All-Southland Conference recognition Tuesday, headlined by junior Ed Eagan, whose record-shattering play as a receiver and return specialist won him unprecedented first-team honors in three capacities.
 
As a receiver, punt returner and the offensive all-purpose player, Eagan, a junior, was joined on the All-Southland first-team by Demons senior cornerback Imoan Claiborne and senior linebacker Marion Chapman.
 
NSU players getting second-team honors were junior defensive end  Leroy Armstrong, junior left tackle Pace Murphy and sophomore free safety Adam Jones.
 
The Demons had seven honorable mention selections: senior quarterback Zach Adkins, senior running back Garrett Atzenweiler, senior center Austin Douglas, junior receiver Cody Jones, senior defensive tackle Damon Medcafe, senior linebacker Tyler Roussel, and Eagan as a kickoff returner.
 
Voting was done Monday by the head coaches and sports information directors at the 11 Southland football-playing institutions and the conference office announced the selections Tuesday.
 
"Very proud of these guys for getting recognized on the all-conference team," said second-year Demons' coach Jay Thomas. "With 11 teams, there's more competition than ever for these honors and there is no doubt that with our team and nearly every other one in the Southland, some very deserving, worthy guys didn't get included. The ones who did are to be congratulated."
 
Eagan is the first player in school history to receive three first-team all-conference honors in the same season. In 2012, the Southland added the all-purpose position to its all-conference honors. The last NSU player to earn two first-team recognitions in the same season was cornerback and return specialist Terrence McGee in 2000 and 2001.
 
Eagan ranks second nationally in FCS with 181 all-purpose yards per game, and shattered the single-season school receiving record with 73 catches, 19 more than the previous mark. He also broke single-season and career kickoff return records, and ranked 18^th nationally in punt return average (10.0). The New Orleans-Holy Cross product played cornerback and returned kickoffs as a true freshman before moving to receiver when Thomas took over the Demon program after the 2012 season.
 
Chapman led the Southland and ranked 22^nd nationally in tackles with 128, the second-highest total at NSU this century. A senior from Waynesboro, Miss., Chapman also recovered three fumbles, sixth nationally, and was the Demons' leader with 4.5 sacks among 8.5 tackles for lost yardage.
 
Claiborne came up with seven of the 30 turnovers NSU forced this season as the Demons ranked third nationally in that statistic. Claiborne also was sixth in FCS with three fumble recoveries, and 28^th by making four interceptions. Under consideration for a Senior Bowl invitation, the Alexandria Senior High product also made 48 tackles and led the Demons with seven pass breakups.
 
The Demons (6-6 overall, 4-4 in the Southland) broke 30 school records in 2014 while going against a schedule ranked 10^th-toughest in FCS by USA Today's Sagarin Ratings.  Three down-to-the-wire one-score losses in conference play kept them from postseason despite impressive victories over FBS Louisiana Tech, the Conference USA West Division co-leader, and FCS playoff entry Sam Houston State, the Southland co-champion.
 
Armstrong, a Natchitoches Central product, made 38 tackles including a team-best nine for lost yardage in 2014. Jones, a Katy, Texas, native, led the Southland with five interceptions and was third on NSU's defense with 74 tackles. Murphy, a Houston product who played against Jones in high school, was the Demons' top offensive lineman, averaging an 85 percent grade on nearly 800 snaps at left tackle.
 
Adkins wrapped up a record-shattering two years with the Demons as he ranked in the top 10 in three NCAA stats and top 25 among the 119 FCS teams in eight categories. His 2,821 passing yards, 67.4 completion percentage and 28 touchdown throws are among his 14 school records.
 
"Zach deserved more than honorable mention," said Thomas. "His accomplishments came against the toughest schedule, and there's not a close second, any team in our conference faced this fall. There were a bunch of very good, very productive quarterbacks in the Southland, but with all due respect, Zach takes a back seat to nobody."
 
Atzenweiler scored 12 touchdowns, most by a Demon in 12 years, and ran for 739 yards, best at NSU since 2008, with Douglas helping pave the way. Jones and Eagan shared the team lead with six touchdown catches.
 
Medcafe anchored the Demons' defensive interior, finishing sixth on the team with 56 stops. Roussel was second on the squad with 91 tackles.
 
Stephen F. Austin running back Gus Johnson won the Southland's Player of the Year award, while Central Arkansas defensive end Jonathan Woodard was the Defensive Player of the Year and Southeastern Louisiana quarterback Bryan Bennett took the Offensive Player of the Year honor. SFA quarterback Zach Conque was the Newcomer of the Year and his father Clint Conque won Coach of the Year honors. UCA's Cole Caruthers was the Offensive Lineman of the Year and defensive tackle P.J. Hall of Sam Houston State took the Freshman of the Year award.
 
 
 
2014 All-Southland Conference Football Teams

First-Team Offense
Pos.	Name	University	Ht.	Wt.	Cl.	Hometown
QB	Bryan Bennett2	Southeastern La.	6-3	215	Sr.	Granada Hills, Calif.
RB	Gus Johnson3	Stephen F. Austin	5-10	224	Sr.	Gilmer, Texas
RB	Keshawn Hill	Sam Houston State	5-10	200	Sr.	Klein, Texas
TE/HB	Noah Cheshier	Abilene Christian	6-3	240	Sr.	Farmersville, Texas
WR	Dezmin Lewis2	Central Arkansas	6-4	212	Sr.	Mesquite, Texas
WR	Mark Roberts	Lamar	6-3	190	Sr.	Orange, Texas
WR	Ed Eagan	Northwestern State	5-10	181	Jr.	New Orleans, La.
OL	Cole Caruthers3	Central Arkansas	6-4	292	Sr.	Sugar Land, Texas
OL	Antoine Everett2	McNeese State	6-3	325	Sr.	Richmond, Texas
OL	Donald Jackson III2	Sam Houston State	6-2	277	Jr.	Kilgore, Texas
OL	Jonathan Braddock	Southeastern La.	6-4	285	Sr.	Ripley, Miss.
OL	Byron Williams	Stephen F. Austin	6-4	302	Jr.	Dickinson, Texas
AP	Ed Eagan	Northwestern State	5-10	181	Jr.	New Orleans, La.
PK	Ryan Adams	Southeastern La.	6-2	205	Sr.	Dayton, Ohio
First-Team Defense
Pos.	Name	University	Ht.	Wt.	Cl.	Hometown
DL	P.J. Hall	Sam Houston State	6-1	270	Fr.	Seguin, Texas
DL	Jonathan Woodard3	Central Arkansas	6-6	271	Jr.	Brentwood, Tenn.
DL	Kevin Dorn	McNeese State	5-10	263	Sr.	Pineville, La.
DL	Nick Richardson	Abilene Christian	6-1	240	Sr.	Waco, Texas
LB	Isiah Corbett2	Southeastern La.	6-3	250	Sr.	Belle Glade, Fla.
LB	Collin Garrett	Stephen F. Austin	6-2	214	Sr.	Beaumont, Texas
LB	Marion Chapman	Northwestern State	5-10	205	Sr.	Waynesboro, Miss.
DB	Imoan Claiborne	Northwestern State	5-11	187	Sr.	Alexandria, La.
DB	Aaron Sam2	McNeese State	5-9	182	Sr.	Lake Charles, La.
DB	Trenier Orr	Sam Houston State	5-11	180	Jr.	Orlando, Fla.
DB	Michael Wade2	Sam Houston State	5-11	195	Sr.	Arp, Texas
DB	Harlan Miller2	Southeastern La.	6-1	180	Jr.	Kentwood, La.
P	Lachlan Edwards	Sam Houston State	6-5	214	Jr.	Victoria, Australia
KR	Jatavious Wilson	Central Arkansas	5-9	171	So.	Bastrop, La.
PR	Ed Eagan	Northwestern State	5-10	181	Jr.	New Orleans, La.
Second-Team Offense
Pos.	Name	University	Ht.	Wt.	Cl.	Hometown
QB	Caleb Berry	Lamar	6-2	205	Sr.	Needville, Texas
RB	De'Andre Brown	Abilene Christian	5-9	190	Fr.	Lewisville, Texas
RB	Michael Henry	Nicholls	6-2	225	Jr.	Baton Rouge, La.
TE/HB	Kenneth Bibbins	Houston Baptist	6-5	242	Sr.	Sugar Land, Texas
WR	Devante Scott	Southeastern La.	5-11	195	Sr.	Ferriday, La.
WR	Reggie Begelton2	Lamar	6-2	200	Jr.	Beaumont, Texas
WR	Cedric Gilbert	Abilene Christian	6-2	215	Jr.	Lancaster, Texas
OL	Pace Murphy	Northwestern State	6-6	279	Jr.	Houston, Texas
OL	Quentin Marsh	McNeese State	6-3	310	Jr.	Dickinson, Texas
OL	CJ Simon	Central Arkansas	6-3	296	Sr.	Kingwood, Texas
OL	Codey Funk	Abilene Christian	6-5	320	So.	Gridley, Ill.
OL	Brandon DeWitt	Sam Houston State	6-3	277	So.	Lawton, Okla.
AP	Xavier Roberson2	Southeastern La.	5-9	180	Jr.	Atlanta, Ga.
PK	Luc Swimberghe	Sam Houston State	6-0	197	So.	Tyler, Texas
Second-Team Defense
Pos.	Name	University	Ht.	Wt.	Cl.	Hometown
DL	Jacob Newman	Southeastern La.	6-2	275	Sr.	Visalia, Calif.
DL	Leroy Armstrong	Northwestern State	6-1	242	Jr.	Natchitoches, La.
DL	Corey Lee	UIW	6-0	285	So.	Humble, Texas
DL	Omar Tebo	Lamar	6-0	315	So.	Liberty, Texas
LB	Wallace Scott	McNeese State	6-1	211	Jr.	Weyanoke, La.
LB	Bo Brown2	McNeese State	6-1	232	Jr.	Katy, Texas
LB	Myke Chatman	Sam Houston State	6-2	216	So.	Sealy, Texas
DB	Denzel Thompson	Southeastern La.	6-3	200	Jr.	Tampa, Fla.
DB	Tyler Stoddard	Southeastern La.	6-2	210	Sr.	Westlake, La.
DB	Brent Spikes	McNeese State	6-1	196	Jr.	Newton, Texas
DB	Adam Jones	Northwestern State	6-2	196	So.	Katy, Texas
DB	Xavier Bethany	Lamar	6-1	195	So.	Burton, Texas
P	Christian Guzman	Houston Baptist	5-9	160	Fr.	Brookshire, Texas
KR	Xavier Roberson2	Southeastern La.	5-9	180	Jr.	Atlanta, Ga.
PR	Jonathan Epps	Abilene Christian	5-10	165	Jr.	Fort Worth, Texas

 
² indicates two-time all-conference selection;
³ indicates three-time all-conference selection;
 
Honorable Mention:
Quarterback: Zach Conque, Stephen F. Austin; Zach Adkins, Northwestern State; Parker McKenzie, Abilene Christian; Jared Johnson, Sam Houston State; Ryan Howard, Central Arkansas. Running Back: Garrett Atzenweiler, Northwestern State; B.J. Kelly, Houston Baptist. Tight End/H-Back: Cole Wick, UIW. Wide Receiver: Tyler Boyd, Stephen F. Austin; Yedidiah Louis, Sam Houston State; Demarcus Thompson, Abilene Christian; Cody Jones, Northwestern State; Casey Jennings, UIW; Jereon McGilvery, McNeese State; Desmond Smith, Central Arkansas; Jeff Smiley, Southeastern La. Offensive Linemen: Bret Treadway, Lamar; Terran Vaughn, Stephen F. Austin; Joe Graves, Southeastern La.; Chris Bordelon, Nicholls; Tramon Shead, Lamar; Rafe Plaisance, Nicholls; Bridge Blount, Sam Houston State; Austin Douglas, Northwestern State; Kyle Stouffer, Central Arkansas; Chance McCormack, Lamar; Anthony Pullins, Stephen F. Austin. Offensive All-Purpose: Keenan Canty, Nicholls. Defensive Linemen: Ishmiah Miles, Stephen F. Austin; Everett Ellefsen, McNeese State; Joe Okafor, Lamar; Damon Williams, Abilene Christian; Damon Medcafe, Northwestern State; Lance Skyler, Stephen F. Austin; Mouf Abedo, Sam Houston State; Brian Hine, McNeese State; Keith Curran, Lamar; A.J. Bowen, Southeastern La.; Jacobi Hunter, Sam Houston State; Donald Bryant, Stephen F. Austin. Linebackers: Davin Bovie, Nicholls; Ricky Wyatt, Central Arkansas; Drew Misita, Southeastern La.; Blake Childress, Central Arkansas; Garrett Dolan, Houston Baptist; Ronnie Jones, Lamar; Padyn Giebler, UIW; Justin Stephens, Abilene Christian; Tyler Roussel, Northwestern State. Defensive Back: Jordan Batiste, Southeastern La.; Gabe Hamner, McNeese State; Bobby Watkins, Central Arkansas; Patrick Martin; Stephen F. Austin; Keavon Madison, Stephen F. Austin; Mikel Everette, Sam Houston State; Kobie Douglas, UIW; Justin Stewart, Abilene Christian; Micah Eugene, Southeastern Louisiana; Eric Amoako, Houston Baptist, Dominique Hill, McNeese State; Byron Cobb, Nicholls; B.T. Sanders, Nicholls. Placekicker: Nik Grau, Abilene Christian. Punter: Spencer Matthew, Central Arkansas. Kick Return Specialist: Ed Eagan, Northwestern State. Punt Return Specialist: Aaron Thomas, Stephen F. Austin.
 
2014 Southland Conference Individual Superlative Winners
Player of the Year: Gus Johnson, Stephen F. Austin (RB)
Offensive Player of the Year: Bryan Bennett, Southeastern Louisiana (QB)
Defensive Player of the Year: Jonathan Woodard, Central Arkansas (DE)
Offensive Lineman of the Year: Cole Carruthers, Central Arkansas (LT)
Freshman of the Year: P.J. Hall, Sam Houston State (DE)
Newcomer of the Year: Zach Conque, Stephen F. Austin (QB)
Coach of the Year: Clint Conque, Stephen F. Austin