ROCK HILL, SC - Defending South Atlantic Conference champion Carson-Newman College leads the 2009 preseason All-Conference football team with 11 selections. The Eagles had seven players named to the first team, including quarterback Alex Good and running back Buck Wakefield. Good was a second-team All-Conference pick in 2008, while Wakefield returns as a first-team running back.
Newberry College had nine named to the preseason All-Conference team. Newberry had four first-team selections, including wide receiver Kelton Tindall and defensive back Kamaal McIlwain.
Tusculum College had eight on the preseason All-Conference team. The Pioneers had four named to the first team, including returning All-American tight end Jarrell NeSmith and wide receiver Ryan Tallent, who led the conference with 92 catches last season.
Wingate University had six preseason All-Conference selections. The Bulldogs had three first-team selections, including running back Nelson Woods, who led the conference with 1,238 yards rushing last season.
Mars Hill College placed seven on the preseason squad, including three on the first team. The Lions return a pair of first-team standouts on the defensive side in linebacker Stan Galbraith, who registered six sacks last season, and defensive back Deshon Nesbitt.
Former Avery Vikings standout Zach Johnson was selected second-team All-SAC after his impressive red-shirt sophomore season. Johnson led the Lions with 95 tackles (10 TFL), and also recorded four sacks, a forced fumble and an interception in 2008.
Catawba College and Lenoir-Rhyne University each placed six on the preseason All-Conference team.
The Catawba Indians had three first-team selections, including returning All-American offensive lineman Terence Crosby.
The Bears had three first-team selections, and all on the offense, including the conference's top kicker last season in Colin Corpe.
Brevard College had three preseason All-Conference selections, including a pair of first-team defensive selections in linebackers Stanley Jones and Brandon Rawls.
2009 SAC Preseason All-Conference Football Team
OFFENSE
First Team
QB - Alex Good, Carson-Newman
RB - Buck Wakefield, Carson-Newman
RB - Nelson Woods, Wingate
RB - Marcus Foster, Tusculum
WR - Reggie Hubbard, Carson-Newman
WR - Kelton Tindal, Newberry
WR - Ryan Tallent, Tusculum
TE - Jarrell NeSmith, Tusculum
OL - Terence Crosby, Catawba
OL - Chandler Rearden, Lenoir-Rhyne
OL - Josh Sims, Mars Hill
OL - Matt Holmes, Newberry
OL - Ross Shaffer, Carson-Newman
PK - Colin Corpe, Lenoir-Rhyne
LS - Jordon Simmons, Lenoir-Rhyne
Second Team
QB - Brandon Gantt, Newberry
RB - Ricky Harris, Carson-Newman
RB - Anthony Silvers, Lenoir-Rhyne
RB - Gerald Legree, Newberry
WR - Nate Binder, Tusculum
WR - John Brown, Mars Hill
WR - Calvin Britt, Tusculum
TE - Ryan Webb! ! er, Wingate
OL - Hunter Carnes, Catawba
OL - Harrison Smith, Lenoir-Rhyne
OL - Walter Simmons, Newberry
OL - Josh Stone, Tusculum
OL - Ben Benshoof, Wingate
PK - Michael Pinkerton, Mars Hill
LS - Kyle Davis, Wingate
DEFENSE
First Team
DL - Melquan Fair, Catawba
DL - Brandon Harmon, Carson-Newman
DL - Brandon Sutton, Catawba
DL - Lance Clark, Newberry
LB - Brian Brown, Carson-Newman
LB - Stanley Jones, Brevard
LB - Brandon Rawls, Brevard
LB - Stan Galbraith, Mars Hill
DB - Mario Russell, Carson-Newman
DB - Deshon Nesbitt, Mars Hill
DB - Kamaal McIlwain, Newberry
DB - Tylan Merkerson, Wingate
P - John Gregory, Tusculum
RS - Patrick Pinchinat, Wingate
Second Team
DL - Marqus Davis, Catawba
DL - Maurice Harris, Mars Hill
DL - Marcus Nelums, Newberry
DL - Brandon Kelley, Tusculum
LB - Lakeem Perry, Catawba
LB - Zach Johnson, Mars Hill
LB - Ben Hinson, Wingate
LB - Aaron Plyler, Wingate
DB - Marcus Shuford, Lenoir-Rhyne
DB - Andre Moyd, Newberry
DB - Michael Gist, Brevard
DB - Denares Waites, Carson-Newman
P - Chris Jones, Carson-Newman
RS - Reggie Hubbard, Carson-Newman
