Six Earn D3football.com Preseason Honors
Six members of the Wesley College football team have grabbed yet more 2008 Preseason All-American honors. The D3football.com team has been released and among the first team honorees are tight end Jon Lanouette, tackle Dave Erdman, cornerback Chet Turner and kick returner Larry Beavers. Running back Mike Pennewell and linebacker Sean Matthews were named to the second team.
Lanouette, a senior, finished third on the team with 39 receptions, 506 yards and six touchdowns. A native of Wilmington, Delaware, he ranks sixth all-time at Wesley in receptions with 119, seventh with 18 touchdown catches and ninth with 1,735 yards. He was also named a Preseason All-American by Lindy's and Consensus Draft Services.
Erdman, a senior from Ellicott City, Maryland, led an offensive line that allowed the offensive to churn out school records with 3,237 rushing yards and 6,192 total yards. The offense ranked ninth in the nation in yards per game and 20th in rushing offense. At 1.08 sacks allowed per game, the offensive line anchored by Erdman ranked 18th in Division III. He was also chosen both the All-ACFC and D3football.com All-South Region and All-American first teams, as well as earning a place on the ECAC Southwest Region All-Star team. He has been the most decorated Wesley player this preseason. In addition to selections by Lindy's and CDS, the tackle was also chosen to The Sporting News Preseason All-America team.
Beavers turned in a record setting year returning kicks in 2007. The senior from Annapolis, Maryland returned four kicks for scores, including three on the opening kick of the second half, to shatter both the Wesley single season and career marks. He ranked fifth in the nation in return average at 30.5 yards per return. Earlier this offseason, he was named the ACFC Special Teams Player of the Year, All-ACFC First Team and All-South Region and All-American by D3football.com and ECAC Southwest Region All-Star. This summer, he has been honored by both Lindy's and CDS.
Turner, a junior, led the secondary with six interceptions to tie Wesley's single season mark. He added 11 pass breakups to lead the team. He was named All-ACFC, All-South Region and All-American by D3football.com and was an ECAC All-Southwest selection.Matthews, a senior team captain, led the team with 113 tackles, including 14.5 for loss. From Pennsauken, New Jersey, Matthews also had a sack, an interception, two fumble recoveries and three forced fumbles to his credit. He was named All-ACFC, All-South Region by D3football.com and ECAC All-Southwest after the season. Matthews is also a member of the ACFC All-Academic Team. He was honored with preseason recognition this summer by both Lindy's and CDS.
Pennewell, a junior from Smyrna, Delaware, ran for 1,630 yards in 2007. That total was the second best single season in Wesley history and rated among the top five in Division III. He also ran for eight touchdowns, a team-high despite not starting until the fourth game of the season. Pennewell also led the Atlantic Central Football Conference in rushing on his way to All-ACFC and D3football.com All-South Region first team selections. Lindy's tabbed the junior as a 2008 Preseason All-American.
Matthews led the team with 113 tackles, including 14.5 for loss. From Pennsauken, New Jersey, the junior also had a sack, an interception, two fumble recoveries and three forced fumbles to his credit. In his second year as team captain, Matthews has been honored by Lindy's this summer.
Wesley, who finished 11-2 in 2008 and won its third straight ACFC Championship on its way to the NCAA Quarterfinals, will be the 'Road Warriors' in 2008. Seven of Wesley's 10 regular season games will be on the road, beginning with a game at Christopher Newport on September 6. The Wolverines home opener is two weeks later, when Widener visits Scott Miller Stadium on September 20.
