Morningside QB Solsma leads AP NAIA All-America Team
Morningside quarterback Trent Solsma, who has guided his team to the national championship game, leads the Associated Press NAIA All-America team.
The team was announced Friday, the day before Solsma and Morningside (Iowa) face Benedictine (Kan.) in the NAIA national championship game in Daytona Beach, Florida.
Solsma passed for 5,097 yards and an NAIA record 68 touchdowns this season. He is joined on the first team by his favorite target, receiver Connor Niles. The senior had 146 receptions for 2,475 yards and 31 touchdowns.
Benedictine was represented on the first team by offensive lineman Garrett Bader and placed running back Marquis Stewart on the second team. Morningside had defensive back Xavier Spann and punter Spencer Wyatt on the second team.
NAIA leading rusher Demarco Prewitt from Kansas Wesleyan was also selected to the first team after rushing for 2,371 yards and 38 touchdowns.
FIRST TEAM
OFFENSE
Quarterback - Trent Solsma, senior, Morningside (Iowa)
Running backs - Demarco Prewitt, junior, Kansas Wesleyan; Joe Connor, junior, Concordia (Mich.)
Linemen - Garrett Bader, senior, Benedictine (Kan.); Anthony Vereen, senior, Jamestown University; Trey Coney, junior, Reinhardt (Ga.); Eli Smith, junior, Kansas Wesleyan; Trevor Wietzema, senior, Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.)
Tight end - Charlie Simmons, sophomore, Kansas Wesleyan
Wide Receivers - Connor Niles, senior, Morningside (Iowa); Darrion Dillard, senior, Ottawa (Kan.)
All-purpose player - J'Kobi Reddick, sophomore, Bethel (Tenn.)
Kicker - Ignacio Gomez, sophomore, Lyon (Ark.)
DEFENSE
Linemen - Shaq Bradford, junior, Kansas Wesleyan; JT Graydon, sophomore, Reinhardt (Ga.); Andreas Moeller, junior, Evangel (Mo.); Curt Boeke, senior, Dakota State (S.D.)
Linebackers - Jason Ferris, junior, Montana Western; Caleb Coe, senior, Olivet Nazarene (Ill.); Lane Napier, sophomore, Concordia (Neb.)
Backs - Bryce Van Beek, senior, Northwestern (Iowa); Nicholas Holmes, sophomore, St. Mary (Kan.); Jay Liggins, senior, Dickinson State (N.D.); Wilmer Cole, senior, Saint Francis (Ind.)
Punter - Matt Larson, senior, Rocky Mountain College
SECOND TEAM
OFFENSE
Quarterback - Jaylen Lowe, senior, Langston (Okla.)
Running backs - Milton Shelton, junior, Cumberlands (Ky.); Marquis Stewart, senior, Benedictine (Kan.)
Linemen - Mick Wilson, senior, Eastern Oregon; D.J. Loving, senior, Grand View (Iowa); Dustin Rivera, junior, Southwestern (Kan.); Jordan Heldreth, senior, Southeastern (Fla.); Jarin Bush, senior, Marian (Ind.)
Tight end - Devante Jimenez, senior, Bethel (Tenn.)
Wide Receivers - Shane Solberg, sophomore, Northwestern (Iowa); Brendan Kelly, senior, Eastern Oregon
All-purpose player - Nate McLaurin, senior, Baker (Kan.)
Kicker - Marcus Montano, senior, Southern Oregon
DEFENSE
Linemen - Ryder Rice, senior, Rocky Mountain College; Mike Mitchell, senior, Southeastern (Fla.); Kenneth Steele Jr., senior, Ottawa (Ariz.); Dmitri Joe, senior, St. Xavier (Ill.)
Linebackers - Ben Slavens, junior, Grand View (Iowa); Eric Dunten, junior, Grand View (Iowa); Trent Mueller, senior, Lindsey Wilson (Ky.)
Backs - Xavier Spann, senior, Morningside (Iowa); Cain Boschee, senior, Dickinson State; Isaiah McFarland, sophomore, Point (Ga.); Sage Chen-Young, freshman, Keiser (Fla.)
Punter - Spencer Wyatt, senior, Morningside (Iowa)
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