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Cass named LSC's top offensive back

STAFF REPORT

RICHARDSON, Texas — Eastern New Mexico University earned 11 selections, including three to the first team, on the All-Lone Star Conference football squad announced this week by the league office.

Junior running back Kamal Cass of Clovis was also named the league’s offensive back of the year after leading the LSC with 1,215 yards rushing and scoring 13 touchdowns. A first-team selection last year as well, Cass had five multiple-touchdown games in 2016, and has topped the 100-yard rushing mark 13 times over the last two years.

File photo: Kevin Wilson

Eastern New Mexico junior Kamal Cass was one of three Greyhounds named to the All-Lone Star Conference first team, and was also named the LSC’s offensive back of the year. He is the fifth player in school history to receive the honor.

Others representing the Hounds on the first team were sophomore linebacker Brad Hardin and sophomore safety Todd Countee.

Hardin had 37 solo stops and finished 10th in the LSC in total tackles, while Countee ranked 15th in the league in passes defended. He also posted two interceptions, 47 total tackles and had a blocked kick against Texas A&M-Kingsville.

Representing the Hounds on the second team were senior wide receiver Aaron Johnson, junior offensive tackle Isaiah Tolbert, senior defensive tackle Samuela Tupou and junior outside linebacker Desmond Blue. Chosen for honorable mention were junior guard Josh Bongiovanni, senior tackle Jordan Wade, junior defensive tackle Dakota Montoya and sophomore defensive tackle Keandre Hall.

In addition, freshman quarterback Wyatt Strand of Logan was chosen the league’s freshman of the year.

ENMU went 7-4 during the regular season, including 6-3 in LSC play, highlighted by a 30-28 upset win at No. 12 Midwestern State on the final weekend of the regular season. For the second consecutive year, the Hounds are slated to compete in the C.H.A.M.P.S. Heart of Texas Bowl, facing Fort Hays State at 5 p.m. (MST) on Dec. 3 at Copperas Cove, Texas.

Texas A&M-Commerce and Texas A&M-Kingsville each had eight first-team selections on the All-LSC squad. A total of 128 athletes were recognized, including 31 players on the first teams, 33 on the second teams and 64 on honorable mention.

Selections were made by the league’s 10 head coaches.