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Thursday, November 17, 2022

Limestone Football Places Record 13 Members on All-Conference Team

 















Football 11/17/2022 12:20:00 AM Matthew Farris, Coordinator for Media Relations


2022 SAC ALL-CONFERENCE LIST (PDF)


ROCK HILL, S.C. – Coming off the best season in program history and one of the most remarkable turnarounds in NCAA Football, the Limestone University football team placed a program-best 13 members on the 2022 South Atlantic Conference All-Conference Team as announced by the league on Thursday, November 17.

In his third overall year at the helm of the Limestone football team, head coach Mike Furrey led the Saints to a 7-2 record in the conference and an 8-3 record overall on the year. The Saints ranked first in the conference in total offense (5,193 yards), yards per game (472.1), points per game (36.2), and passing yards per game (271.2) while finishing fourth in yards per game on the ground (200.9). They are currently riding a four-game win streak as they head into the 2022 NCAA Division II Football Playoffs.

Named to the First-Team All-Conference on the offensive side of the ball were running back Tre Stewart (Winston-Salem, N.C.), wide receiver Drew Dixon (Tucson, Ariz.), and offensive lineman Cameron Thomason (Greenville, S.C.) and Luke Bond (Bluffton, S.C.).

Thomason and Bond were core members of the offensive line throughout the season, paving the way for the program's first-ever 1,000 yard back while helping the Blue and Gold offense be the most productive in the conference.

Stewart was the lead running back for the Saints on the season, playing in all but one game and rushing for over 1,000 yards on the season, a milestone that has not been reached by anyone in the history of the Limestone program. His 1,411 yards were the third most among league running backs and his 14 touchdowns on the year were third as well.

Dixon became a key factor in the receiving game for the Saints as he compiled 514 yards on just 24 catches, a 21.4 yards per catch average, in only five games this season. His 102.8 yards per game was tops on the team while his five touchdown catches tied him for second. Dixon has eclipsed 100 yards three of his five games played, including a 9-catch, 195-yard performance at Catawba.

On the defensive First-Team All-Conference, the Saints were represented by linebacker Chandler Matthews (Dillion, S.C.) and defensive back Ahmond Glass (Atlanta, Ga.). Matthews helped lead the defensive front for the Saints throughout the season as he led the team in tackles with 81.5, while sitting second with 7.5 tackles-for-loss and one sack. His 65 solo tackles were good enough for tops in the league. Glass was another primary contributor on the defense, this time coming from the cornerback position in which he recorded 58 tackles, five pass break-ups as well as a trio of interceptions.

Continuing the outstanding year for the Saints, five members were also named to the offensive Second-Team with quarterback Dustin Noller (Rock Hill, S.C.), running back Anthony McAfee II (Myrtle Beach, S.C.), wide receiver Jelani Baker (Snellville, Ga.), tight end Herman McCray IV (West Palm Beach, Fla.), and long snapper Keaton Chambers (York, S.C.).

Noller has amassed more than 2,000 yards passing this season (2,246) while throwing for 20 touchdowns. His 419 yards versus Emory & Henry in the season finale set a new school record while he passed for three or more touchdowns on four separate occasions on the season. McAfee turned in a stellar season with 482 rushing yards and five touchdowns, including a two-touchdown performance against Catawba.

Baker led the Saints receiving corps with 552 yards and five touchdowns while also acting as a catalyst on special teams, compiling 281 return yards and one kick returned for a touchdown, the first in program history. McCray has totaled 23 catches, 229 yards and one touchdown on the year while doubling as a pertinent blocker for the Saints potent run game. Chambers finished the year with 100% efficiency on all of his snaps.  

On the defensive side of the Second-Team, the Saints were represented by defensive lineman Joseph Gregory (Inman, S.C.) and defensive back Jeremiah Lomax (Abbeville, S.C.). Gregory led the Saints with 11.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. He also sits fourth with 38.5 total tackles. Lomax, making the most of his opportunity, finished the regular season with 36.5 tackles, seven passes defended, six pass break-ups, and one interception for a touchdown.

The Saints pulled in the second-highest number of honors between conference schools, just behind Newberry who had 15 honorees.

Limestone enters the NCAA Division II Football tournament this Saturday, November 19, as it travels to Pensacola, Fla. to take on the Argos of West Florida. Game time is set for 1 p.m. CT/2 p.m. ET.


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