Football team racks up 23 all-league selections for 2005 season

The Outlaws had a stellar football season — and it was evident when coaches from around the league gathered to name all-league selections.

The first-team, second-team and honorable mention honors that are awarded are performance-based. Two offensive and defensive players of the year are also chosen. This year Andy Burke and Cory McCaffrey were named Co-Offensive Players of the Year and Sam Pyke was named as one of the Defensive Players of the Year.

Seven Outlaws were named to the offensive first-team all-league and included: Andy Burke (quarterback), Cory McCaffrey (running back), Jeff Fitter (wide receiver), Ryan Schneringer (offensive tackle), Sam Pyke (guard), Blake Poynor (center) and Matt Ruettgers as kicker. Burke, McCaffrey and Fitter all got unanimous votes from the coaches.

Each of these six offensive players posted some impressive stats and Coach Bob Macauley had words of praise for each one.

Macauley said, ‘To score three touchdowns in five league games would be considered a very good year for anyone but the number of touchdowns these boys scored is very impressive.”

Burke threw for over 600 yards in the five league games the Outlaws played, threw seven touchdown passes and rushed for five touchdowns.

“Andy was our leader on the field,” said Macauley. “Besides the stats he posted he’s a positive leader that the team rallies behind.”

McCaffrey rushed for 895 yards and had 10 touchdowns.

“Cory’s an extremely talented player, loves to play the game and is fun to watch.”

Macauley said, “Jeff (Fitter) created quite a threat at wide receiver. Anytime the ball was snapped created a lot of pressure for the opposing defense. Jeff had 15 catches for 234 yards and six touchdowns.”

According to Macauley, Ryan Schneringer is a very talented football player and a physical force on the offensive line. Schneringer scored three touchdowns in league play.

Sam Pyke was one of the captains for the Outlaw team and had an outstanding year as guard.

“Sam is a very good blocker,” said Macauley. “He’s very quick and intelligent.”

Of Blake Poynor Macauley said, “Blake is totally deserving of being selected first-team all-league center. All year long he called all of our blocking schemes at the line of scrimmage. It was like having a coach on the field while he’s playing.”

Macauley noted that Matt Ruettgers helped the Outlaws tremendously.

“Not only did Matt help us with his PAT’s (point after touchdown) but also with his kickoffs, which forced teams to start deep in their own territory. He’s a great weapon.”

Two players were second-team all-league selections on offense: Nate Jackson and Trever Summers.

Jackson earned second-team wide receiver and had 16 catches for 214 yards and a touchdown.

Macauley said, “Nate is developing into a serious threat and most teams are going to have to figure out how to double cover him.”

Macauley told The Nugget it’s been a luxury to have both Jackson and Fitter at the wide receiver position.

Summers was voted second-team offensive tackle. Summers is a talented lineman who is very quick and agile and has given the Outlaws a lot of versatility.

Jeff Sampson and Nick Pepperling received Honorable Mention.

“Jeff at fullback has to be considered one of the toughest players in the league,” said Macauley, “and Nick has had an outstanding year and has been one of our most consistent lineman.”

On defense, Todd Bell (nose guard), Brian Knotts (defensive end) and Sam Pyke (linebacker) were unanimous first-team selections. Harry Womack (defensive back) and Jeff Sampson (middle linebacker) also earned first-team honors.

“Todd is catlike quick and creates tremendous problems for the other team,” said Macauley. “He’s a great, exciting player to watch and an outstanding athlete. Brian is our resident tough guy. He’s a very physical player and has had an exceptional year. Sam was voted the Defensive Player of the Year in the conference and that’s the highest award you can get.”

Womack has played outstanding football the entire year and Macauley noted he was proud of the way Womack played and glad he was recognized by the other coaches in the league. Macauley also said that Sampson is one of the toughest and most physical players in the Capital Conference.

Earning second-team all-league honors were Jeff Fitter (safety), Taylor Davenport (linebacker) and Ryan Schneringer and Grant Dahl as defensive lineman.

Macauley said, “Jeff had an outstanding year. He’s a very intelligent athlete and player and really runs the defensive backs. Davenport is a very solid and physical player, a great teammate who does his job and encourages others, and a great kid to have on the team. Ryan plays strong and physical and Grant makes us strong up front.”

Honorable Mention on defense went to Doug Emberton, Nick Purvis and Andy Burke. Emberton earned honorable mention as outside linebacker but also played in five to six other positions and did a great job in each one. Macauley was happy Emberton got recognized for his play. Purvis is known as a great teammate and played at defensive back and gave the Outlaws a lot of skill at that position. Burke received the honorable mention as punter.

Not to be outdone by the players, the coaches also fared well when the votes where tallied. Macauley was voted Coach of the Year and Gary Hedin was named Assistant Coach of the Year.

The Outlaws will host Siuslaw at home on Friday, November 18.