Pioneer-League Postseason Honors

[SmallCollegeFBFan]

Pioneer Football League announces postseason honors, 17th All-PFL squad
ST. LOUIS – Pioneer Football League officials announced, Tuesday, the winners of its postseason honors and the All-Pioneer Football League first and second teams. All selections were made by the league’s coaches, who were not permitted to vote for their own players.
Butler and Dayton each won a share of the 2009 PFL regular-season title in a race that came down to the season’s final weekend. It is Butler’s second league title and first since 1994. Dayton wins at least a share of the title for the 10th time and first since 2007.
Dayton quarterback Steve Valentino was named the league’s Offensive Player of the Year, while Butler head coach Jeff Voris was named the league’s Coach of the Year. Morehead State linebacker Wes McDermott received the league’s Defensive Player of the Year honor. The league’s freshman awards went to San Diego wide receiver Kyle Warren and Drake defensive back Tyler Moorehead, who were named the league’s Offensive and Defensive Freshman of the Year, respectively.
Valentino, a first-team All-PFL wide receiver last season, became Dayton’s starting quarterback in the season’s second week and promptly led his team to seven consecutive victories overall en route to a share of the league’s regular-season title (7-1) and a 9-2 overall mark. He finished the regular-season averaging a league-best 281.6 yards total offense and led all quarterbacks in rushing, with 65.6 yards per game to rank fourth among the league’s rushers. He also ranked second among the league’s quarterbacks in yardage (216.0 ypg) and pass efficiency rating (139.8).
McDermott wins the league’s Defensive Player of the Year honor after finishing the regular-season ranked second in tackles (9.9 pg) and third in tackles-for-loss (1.50 pg). He led all linebackers in tackles (109), posting 14 more than the next closest follower. McDermott led a Morehead State defense that finished the season ranked second in total defense, allowing just 266.3 yards per game, and led the league in rushing defense, permitting a paltry 72.5 yards per game on the ground.
Warren was San Diego’s big-play receiver, posting 11 catches for 338 yards – a 30.7 yards per catch average. Of his 11 receptions, six went for touchdowns, including an 82-yard touchdown catch-and-carry against Dayton. He had five touchdown catches on nine total receptions in PFL play alone.
Moorehead ranked among the league’s top 30 in tackles (6.1 pg) in his first season of action. He also ranked sixth in tackles-for-loss (1.32 pg) and was one of three players to lead the league with four forced fumbles this season. Moorehead was a key component of a defensive unit that ranked second in rush defense, surrendering 90.5 yards per game, and fourth in total defense, allowing 276.5 yards per contest.
Voris wins Coach of the Year honors for the first time in his fourth season at Butler. He led the Bulldogs from a 4-4, fourth place PFL finish, in 2008 to a share of the league title (7-1) in 2009. Butler posted a school-record 10 wins this season, won nine consecutive games to start the campaign and was the next-to-last unbeaten FCS team.
The 17th All-PFL squads are highlighted by four unanimous selections. Jacksonville had three players receive unanimous acclimation, including junior running back Rudell Small who was a unanimous first-team All-PFL selection for the second consecutive season. Other unanimous first-team honorees were Jacksonville wide receiver Josh Philpart, Jacksonville offensive lineman Leonard Payton and Marist wide receiver James LaMacchia.

http://www.pioneer-football.org/news/default/15/486/

[DetroitFlyer]

Steve Valentino is the most underrated player in all of FCS. This kid is one of the most amazing athletes that I have ever seen play football. Last year, he was all PFL as both a receiver and kick returner. This year, he was pressed into QB duty for the Flyers when three QB's ahead of him were injured. What does he do...? He goes out and leads the Flyers to a 10th PFL Championship, (tied with Butler), and wins PFL offensive player of the year. He was also honored with 4 PFL player of the week honors during the season.

Did he receive any "national" recogintion from the traditional powers that be? Of course not.... Not that there is a national bias against the PFL or anything....

You will not see Tino's name on the Payton ballet, but I honestly think that this kid is the best athlete in all of FCS bar none. Too bad folks outside of the PFL did not "notice" Tino this year.

I hope he comes back for a fifth year. If so, he darn sure ought to be on the very first Payton list, regardless of what position he ends up playing....

[dbackjon]

That is impressive to go from all-conference WR to QB.