Trojans Claim 10 All-MSFA Mideast League Awards
FINDLAY, Ohio – The Taylor University took home 10 postseason awards on Thursday, as the All-Mid-States Football Association Mideast League Teams were announced by the league offices.
Hans Lundberg, Logan Ball, Brandon Haan and Dovi Gamble were all selected as First-Team All-MSFA performers, with Jay Johnson, Cameron Gray and Gamble receiving Second-Team All-MSFA accolades. The list of award winners was rounded out by Tim Barrett, Daniel Boy and Jeremy Ramirez on the Honorable Mention All-MSFA list.
Lundberg earned his third-straight All-MSFA honor with a second-straight First-Team All-MSFA nod. Lundberg capped his outstanding career with the Trojans by catching a team-leading seven touchdown passes to go with 36 total receptions from his tight end slot.
Ball was voted as a First-Team All-MSFA standout after anchoring Taylor's offensive line from the right tackle position during his junior season. Ball claimed his first All-MSFA nod after helping the Trojans rush for 144.1 yards per game.
Haan was named All-MSFA for the third-straight season, notching his first First-Team accolade following his final collegiate campaign. Haan averaged 39.7 yards per punt, while sticking 20-of-68 punts inside the 20-yard line and forcing six fair catches.
Gamble claimed the second and third All-MSFA honors of his career at Taylor, earning First-Team All-MSFA status as a kick returner and taking Second-Team All-MSFA honors as a cornerback. Gamble averaged 26.2 yards per kickoff return during his junior campaign, including a dazzling 95-yard touchdown return and racked up 51 tackles, two interceptions and five blocked kicks during his time on defense and special teams.
Johnson was a Second-Team All-MSFA recipient for the third-straight year. Johnson closed his final collegiate season with 25 stops, 7.5 hits for negative yardage and 2.5 sacks from his defensive tackle position.
Gray followed an Honorable Mention All-MSFA selection one year ago with a Second-Team All-MSFA nod as a junior linebacker in 2016. Gray led TU with 77 tackles, added 11 hits for lost yardage and posted a trio of sacks.
Barrett excelled as TU's featured back in 2016, closing his collegiate career with the Honorable Mention All-MSFA honor. Barrett led Taylor with 86.9 rushing yards per game and seven rushing touchdowns in seven outings.
Boy joined Barrett as an Honorable Mention All-MSFA selection after developing into Taylor's top receiving threat during his sophomore season. Boy led the squad with 44 receptions and 44.7 receiving yards per game, while hauling in six touchdown catches.
Ramirez rounded out TU's Honorable Mention All-MSFA awards after playing a key role on the Trojans' defensive line. Ramirez picked up 22 tackles, 5.5 stops for lost yardage, two sacks and three fumble recoveries from his defensive end position.
Taylor posted a 4-7 overall record during an injury-marred 2016 season and is set to return 68 players, including 17 starters. The unit will be led by returning All-MSFA standouts Ball, Gamble, Gray, Ramirez and Boy.