Fayetteville, N.C. - The USA South Athletic Conference has announced its 2011 All-Conference awards for football with a total of 94 student-athletes earning postseason honors. North Carolina Wesleyan had three players garner First Team recognition, led by sophomore linebacker Tazmon Foster who was named the league's Defensive Player of the Year.
Foster, a Henderson, N.C. native, collects Player of the Year honors a year after earning Rookie of the Year accolades. He compiled a program-record 129 total tackles this season and led all USA South linebackers with 16.5 tackles-for-loss and five sacks. Foster's 73 solo tackles and 56 assisted takedowns ranked second in the Conference, while he also added one interception, one pass break-up, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. Additionally, Foster broke Wesleyan's career record for tackles in the Bishops' season finale, earning Defensive Player of the Week honors in the process. He currently boasts 227 takedowns over his two-year career.
Joining Foster as First Team selections were junior Dwayne Hollis and senior Kevin Quicker. Hollis, in fact, was a First Team pick at both defensive back and return specialist, becoming the first player in Wesleyan history to garner such honors at two different positions. A preseason All-American, he managed 43 tackles and a team-high seven pass break-ups on defense. Return-wise, he racked up 538 yards and a touchdown.
Like Hollis, Quicker also picked up two All-Conference nods as a First Team punter and Second Team kicker. He averaged nearly 40 yards per punt this season, while connecting on 11 field goals and 19 extra points.
Rounding out the Battling Bishops' award-winners were Honorable Mention players Jacquez Alston at running back, Greg Edwards at wide receiver, Samuel Herring on the offensive line, Adrian White on the defensive line, Javon Boddie at linebacker and Sterling Smith at defensive back.
Elsewhere around the league, Ferrum's Marcus Mayo was named the Offensive Player of the Year, while Maryville's Melvin Burston was Offensive Rookie of the Year. Ferrum's Josh Oliver picked up Defensive Rookie of the Year accolades, and Christopher Newport's Matt Kelchner rounded out the individual awards as Coach of the Year.
The USA South also recognized an All-Sportsmanship Team, consisting of one member from each competing school. Senior Keith Blunt represented the Battling Bishops. To view the entire list of the league's postseason award-winners, please visit http://www.usasouth.net/sports/fball/2011-12/releases/11fballconfawards.