Nov. 27, 2001
Asheville, N.C. - The Southern Conference today announced its 2001 Coaches All-Southern Conference team, which featured Western Carolina's first team performers Michael Banks and Justin Fryer and second team selections Fred Boateng, Jeff Chambers and Marquail Wells.
Juniors Banks (Spotsylvania, Va.) and Fryer (Connelly Springs, N.C.) were each selected to the first team after each earned second team recognition last season. This season, Banks ranked second in the league in receiving yards (63.4) and third in receptions per game (4.0), while leading the Catamounts in both categories for the third consecutive season. He was tabbed Southern Conference Offensive Player of the Week after grabbing a season-high seven passes for 111 yards and two touchdowns in leading the Cats to their first win over Wofford since the Terriers joined the league in 1997. With one season to go, he ranks ninth on the school's all-time receiving yards list (2,145), seventh on the all-time receptions list (140) and fifth on the all-time touchdown reception list (16).
Fryer, who ranked third (tied) in the SoCon with his 10.5 tackles per game average, led Western with 116 total hits, which ranks 10th (tied) on the school's single-season list. The free safety was named Southern Conference Defensive Player of the Week in the season opener after tallying seven tackles with a fumble recovery and a game-clinching interception versus Mars Hill. Fryer led WCU's defense, which ranked third in the nation in pass defense and surrendered a I-AA low five touchdown passes this season. In addition to leading WCU in tackles, Fryer had two interceptions, four pass breakups, one caused fumble and one fumble recovery.
Boateng earns his second conference honor after also being tabbed second team last season behind All-America running backs Adrian Peterson (Georgia Southern) and Louis Ivory (Furman). The Falls Church, Va., native became just the fifth back in WCU history to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark for a season. His 1,225 yards this season is the third-best total in Catamount history, while ranking third in the SoCon and 21st nationally with his 111.4 yards per game average. As a sophomore, Boateng already ranks eighth on the school's all-time rushing list with 2,159 yards and carries an impressive 5.4 yards per rush average. He additionally ranks sixth on the WCU single-season rushing TD list with 12 this season.
Chambers, a four-year starter at defensive tackle, closed his career with a season-high six tackles, including two for losses, versus The Citadel. With the two stops behind the line, the Spencer, N.C., native ended his career with 27 TFL's to tie for 10th on the WCU all-time list. Overall, Chambers had 35 tackles this season, including nine for losses and 1.5 sacks, with five quarterback pressures, two pass breakups and a forced fumble. He also scored two points this season, dropping the Mars Hill quarterback in his own end zone for a safety. Chambers was also recognized nationally this season as a member of the American Football Coaches Association "Good Works" Team for his dedication to community service.
Wells, a senior cornerback from McComb, Miss., led the Catamounts with three interceptions and 10 pass breakups. His 13 total passes defended ranked third in the SoCon, as well as ranking among the national leaders in the category. He ranked sixth (tied) on the team with 48 tackles - more than double over his junior year total - and had two quarterback pressures and two tackles for losses. One of his TFL's was a highlight reel stop versus Wofford. Through Wells' effort, Western held each of its last five opponents below their season average in passing, while holding three of the final four opponents to less than 100 yards passing.
2001 Southern Conference Coaches All-League Team FIRST TEAM OFFENSE TE Trent Sansbury, Furman (6-2, 238, Sr) WR Cecil Moore, East Tennessee State (6-2, 205, Jr) WR MICHAEL BANKS, WESTERN CAROLINA (5-10, 172, Jr) OT Wayne Smith, Appalachian State (6-2, 304, Sr) OT Donnie Littlejohn, Furman (6-3, 272, Sr) G Omar Nesbitt, The Citadel (6-1, 305, Sr) G Marty Priore, Furman (6-1, 288, Sr) C Chris Stewart, Furman (6-0, 280, Sr) QB J.R. Revere, Georgia Southern (5-11, 184, Sr) RB Louis Ivory, Furman (5-9, 200, Sr) RB Adrian Peterson, Georgia Southern (5-10, 210, Sr) RS Brian Bratton, Furman (5-9, 168, RS Fr) PK Darren Brown, Wofford (6-0, 170, Sr)
FIRST TEAM DEFENSE DL Ryan Watson, Appalachian State (6-2, 300, Sr) DL Josh Jeffries, Appalachian State (6-2, 265, Jr) DL Freddy Pesqueira, Georgia Southern (6-1, 250, Jr) DL Nathan Fuqua, Wofford (6-1, 280, Jr) LB Justin Seaverns, Appalachian State (6-2, 230, Sr) LB Travis Stephens, The Citadel (6-0, 230, Sr) LB Will Bouton, Furman (6-2, 233, Sr) DB Nygel Rogers, Appalachian State (6-1, 200, Jr) DB Kevin Howard, The Citadel (5-10, 175, Sr) DB David Young, Georgia Southern (6-2, 205, Jr) DB JUSTIN FRYER, WESTERN CAROLINA (6-2, 190, Jr) P Jimmy Miner, Wofford (6-3, 195, So)
SECOND TEAM OFFENSE TE Nick Hendrickson, East Tennessee State (6-4, 240, Sr) WR Andrew Layton, Appalachian State (6-0, 180, Jr) WR Bear Rinehart, Furman (5-11, 185, Jr) OT James McCoy, Georgia Southern (6-3, 254, Jr) OT J.C. Neel, Wofford (6-5, 285, Sr) G J. Jones, Georgia Southern (5-11, 280, Sr) G Eric Nash, Wofford (6-3, 280, Sr) C Tyler Elkins, Appalachian State (6-2, 275, Sr) QB Billy Napier, Furman (6-3, 207, Jr) RB Maurice Murphy, The Citadel (6-0, 220, Sr) RB FRED BOATENG, WESTERN CAROLINA (6-2, 20, So) RS Titus Green, VMI (5-9, 175, Fr) PK Erik Rockhold, Appalachian State (5-9, 185, Jr)
SECOND TEAM DEFENSE DL Brandon Calton, East Tennessee State (6-4, 290, So) DL Ryan Spencer, Furman (6-2, 265, Sr) DL Robert LeBlanc, Georgia Southern (6-2, 248, Sr) DL Jamar Jones, Georgia Southern (6-2, 230, Sr) DL Tyler Unzicker, Chattanooga (6-2, 265, Sr) DL JEFF CHAMBERS, WESTERN CAROLINA (6-0, 298, Sr) LB Wes Hunter, Appalachian State (6-0, 225, Sr) LB Michael Youngblood, Georgia Southern (6-2, 228, Sr) LB Josh Cain, Chattanooga (6-1, 230, Jr) DB Josh Cooper, Furman (5-11, 190, Sr) DB Richie Jackson, Furman (6-0, 190, Sr) DB James Young, Georgia Southern (6-1, 199, Fr) DB MARQUAIL WELLS, WESTERN CAROLINA (5-10, 170, Sr) P Brent Barth, VMI (6-1, 195, Jr)
