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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.
