17 ACU players named All-LSC

By the Abilene Reporter-News

Seventeen Abilene Christian University football players, including first-teamers Shay Favors and Junior Filikitonga, have been named to the all-Lone Star Conference football team.

Favors, a linebacker from Vernon, and Filikitonga, a defensive end from Euless Trinity, were named to the first-team defense. Of the 17 ACU players receiving honors, only two are seniors.

Named to the second team were junior defensive end Matt Shane of Richardson Berkner and sophomore offensive guard Adrian Eaglin of Stafford Dulles. Thirteen Wildcats, including sophomore placekicker Brandon BAker of Abilene High and sophomore linebacker Jody Brown of Stephenville, earned honorable mention recognition.

Baker led ACU in scoring with 33 points and Brown's 96 tackles led the Wildcats for the second consecutive season.

First-year head coach Todd Whitten of Tarleton State was selected the Coach of the Year, while tailback Reggie Durden of Texas A&M-Kingsville was named freshman of the year.

Other individual awards went to Jubarko Gaines of Central Oklahoma, Offensive Back of the Year; Kevin Mathis of Texas A&M-Commerce, Defensive Back of the Year; Todd Perkins of Texas A&M-Kingsville, Offensive Lineman of the Year; and Johnny Luter of UCO, Defensive Lineman of the Year.

Favors and Filikitonga led an ACU defense which finished second in the LSC in total defense and led the league in quarterback sacks. Favors, a 6-1, 225-pound senior, had 54 tackles and six quarterback sacks despite missing two games with a sprained knee.

Filikitonga, a 6-1, 280-pound junior, finished with 42 tackles, including 15 behind the line of scrimmage.