NATCHITOCHES – Seniors captured top honors as the 2015 Northwestern State football team handed out awards at the annual Demon Football Banquet held Friday night in the Friedman Student Union.

Senior running back Daniel Taylor won the Lester Latino Memorial Award for effort, unselfishness, leadership and character. Senior receiver and return specialist Ed Eagan was chosen as the team's overall Most Valuable Player.

Senior offensive tackle Pace Murphy, receiver Cody Jones, linebacker Jacob Merriman and defensive end Leroy Armstrong were elected permanent team captains by their teammates.

Senior defensive lineman Demarcus Drumgo was selected as the winner of the Chris Waddell Memorial Award presented to a walk-on whose effort, character and team-first attitude are inspiring to everyone involved with the program.

Junior offensive guard Terrance Boyd won two prestigious honors, the Joe Delaney Memorial Leadership Award and an Academic Improvement Award. Sophomore cornerback Caviaan Rachal shared the Academic Improvement Award.

Merriman, who made 93 tackles, won the team's Defensive MVP award while All-America senior kicker Chris Moore took home the Special Teams MVP honor.

Junior running back De'Mard Llorens was named Offensive MVP and also captured the Kirt Straughter Memorial Award for outstanding work in strength and conditioning.

Redshirt freshman offensive lineman Andrew McCalister, with a 3.88 grade point average, won the Academic MVP honor for the team's highest cumulative GPA. Seven Demons, most among any Southland Conference team, posted perfect 4.0 semester GPAs last fall and were recognized:  McCalister, Murphy, Moore, freshman running back Hunter Bedgood, senior linebacker Paxton Cook, freshman defensive end Desmond Prejean and freshman offensive lineman Chris Zirkle.

Thirteen players received Sam Goodwin Link Awards for relentless effort, discipline, toughness, courage and leadership. Offensive players honored were Boyd, Eagan, Jones, Zirkle, Taylor, Matt Flores, Chris Jones and Jonathan Lewis, while defensive players receiving the Goodwin Award were Drumgo, Isaiah Wheeler, Dannie Harmon and Ike Warren. Moore was a special teams recipient.

Senior Showcase Awards were presented to Demons who took part in postseason all-star games. Eagan played in the Senior Bowl, while quarterback Stephen Rivers was in the NFL Players Association's NFLPA Collegiate Bowl. Armstrong had a game-winning interception in the FCS National Bowl. Chase Collins made eight tackles and recovered a fumble in the FCS Senior Scout Bowl. Andy Wickman and Delryn Wilson played in the FCS Senior Scout Bowl.

Thirteen redshirts were given Most Valuable Look Team Awards for outstanding effort on NSU's scout teams: Bedgood, Prejean, Dustin Burns, Ronald Green, Austin Skinner, Jared West, Tyler O'Donaghue, Houston Meller, Charlie Matthews, Nick Forde, Ryan Reed, Ian Edwards and Parker Pastorello.

The Demon Deacons Leadership Council was recognized, 14 senior players who were selected before the season began by their teammates to collaborate with head coach Jay Thomas on issues impacting the team from travel plans to discipline. Chosen were Armstrong, Collins, Cook, Drumgo, Merriman, Wilbur Myers on defense, Eagan, Cody Jones, Murphy, Taylor, Wilson and Zach White on offense, and Moore and Brandon Monrose for special teams.

The senior class capped the banquet by leading the team and supporters in a rousing rendition of the Demon Fight Song, as Chief Caddo, the largest trophy in sports, watched proudly.

The event was hosted by the Coaches Cabinet Association with NSU President Dr. Jim Henderson, athletic director Greg Burke, state Sen. Gerald Long, and team chaplains Randy Price and Carroll Long among the dignitaries attending.