By Adam MacDonald
VALDOSTA — Six Valdosta State Blazers were recognized for outstanding seasons yesterday when they were named to the All-Gulf South Conference football team.
Senior safety Sherard Reynolds was named to the first-team for the third straight year. Reynolds is just one of 45 players to be named to the first-team three times. He has 51 tackles on the season and leads the team with four interceptions. His 94-yard interception return for a touchdown against Fort Valley earlier this year is a school record.
“I’m very proud of him,” VSU head coach David Dean said. “He’s a three time All-GSC team performer which is outstanding.”
Joining Reynolds on the first-team is sophomore defensive tackle Demario Jones. Jones has 28 tackles and has recovered two fumbles this season.
“I was pretty surprised,” Jones said. “I’m just happy I made it. I called my mom and dad and they were really happy. This is a credit to my teammates.”
Four players were named to the second-team from VSU. Receiver Albert Dukes, linebacker Larry Dean, punter Jack Fulford and deep snapper Joey Farmer earned second-team accolades.
Dukes was the only offensive player to be named from the Blazers. He was second on the team with 36 catches and had a team-high eight touchdown catches.
“It means a lot,” Dukes said. “I said at the beginning of the year I came here to be a big part of this team and make a lot of plays and I feel accomplished with this award. I wouldn’t have won it without my quarterback and offensive line.”
Larry Dean has a team-high 73 tackles on the season.
“I wouldn’t trade Larry Dean for anyone in the conference,” David Dean said. “To me there’s no better linebacker the conference. I was excited for him and I wish that he had been named to the first team.”
Fulford is third in the GSC with a 41.5 yard per punt average and has placed 19 punts inside the 20-yard line.
Farmer is a perfect 95-95 on special team snaps.
Freshman quarterback Chris Hart was named the Co-GSC Freshman-of-the-Year along with Southern Arkansas running back Mark Johnson. Hart is the fourth VSU player to receive Freshman-of-the-Year honors. The redshirt freshman has thrown for over 1,500 yards and has 18 touchdown passes.
“It’s just a name,” Hart said. “I appreciate the thought, but the biggest thing is for this team to win a championship.”
Arkansas-Monticello quarterback Scott Buisson was named GSC Offensive-Player-of-the-Year and Delta State linebacker Lardester Hicks-Green was named GSC Defensive Player-of-the-Year.
North Alabama led all GSC teams with 16 players named to the all-conference team.
VSU plays Carson-Newman at home Saturday in the first round of the Division II playoffs.
