Leathernecks Gibbs, Stoudamire gain preseason honors
Issue date: 7/22/09 Section: Sports
Running back Dre Gibbs and defensive back Patrick Stoudamire were named to the 2009 Missouri Valley Football Preseason team and four others were named honorable mention as announced at the league's media day Monday.
Gibbs received votes at both running back and fullback as he was a fullback in 2008 and switched to running back for the upcoming season. OL Mike Lamphear, DL Victor Visoky, LB Kyle Glazier and DB Tim Franken were all named to the honorable mention list.
"As returning first team all-conference players, I wasn't surprised to see Dre and Patrick on the preseason all-conference team," Western Illinois head coach Don Patterson said. "I was concerned about Dre receiving votes at running back as he switched to fullback last season, but I am really happy for Dre because he is very much the team player. A year ago when Javid (Milton) went down with team injury Dre was moved to fullback and earned all-conference honors as a fullback. He continued to learn a lot from Herb (Donaldson) and we are in good shape at running back because of Dre Gibbs.
"Patrick has earned all-conference honors the past two years, so again, the preseason honor wasn't a surprise to me. I also recognize that you are only as good as your two corners are and I have confidence in Stephen Moore. No one is working as hard as Stephen is."
The Fighting Leathernecks were picked fifth overall with 174 points in the Valley Football Preseason Poll as voted on by league coaches, media and sports information directors. Northern Iowa was tabbed as the league's favorite, earning 26 first-place votes, for a total of 314 points. Southern Illinois was picked second overall, earning nine first-place votes for a total of 281 points.
"I am comfortable with the preseason ranking," Patterson continued. "We as players and coaches recognize that the preseason predictions don't count as much. It will be a challenge to win the conference and make the playoffs. It is a challenge that we embrace and are excited about."
Gibbs received votes at both running back and fullback as he was a fullback in 2008 and switched to running back for the upcoming season. OL Mike Lamphear, DL Victor Visoky, LB Kyle Glazier and DB Tim Franken were all named to the honorable mention list.
"As returning first team all-conference players, I wasn't surprised to see Dre and Patrick on the preseason all-conference team," Western Illinois head coach Don Patterson said. "I was concerned about Dre receiving votes at running back as he switched to fullback last season, but I am really happy for Dre because he is very much the team player. A year ago when Javid (Milton) went down with team injury Dre was moved to fullback and earned all-conference honors as a fullback. He continued to learn a lot from Herb (Donaldson) and we are in good shape at running back because of Dre Gibbs.
"Patrick has earned all-conference honors the past two years, so again, the preseason honor wasn't a surprise to me. I also recognize that you are only as good as your two corners are and I have confidence in Stephen Moore. No one is working as hard as Stephen is."
The Fighting Leathernecks were picked fifth overall with 174 points in the Valley Football Preseason Poll as voted on by league coaches, media and sports information directors. Northern Iowa was tabbed as the league's favorite, earning 26 first-place votes, for a total of 314 points. Southern Illinois was picked second overall, earning nine first-place votes for a total of 281 points.
"I am comfortable with the preseason ranking," Patterson continued. "We as players and coaches recognize that the preseason predictions don't count as much. It will be a challenge to win the conference and make the playoffs. It is a challenge that we embrace and are excited about."
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