Omaha World-Herald news article
SEWARD, Neb. – One of three Bulldogs chosen to the NAIA/NCAA Division III All-Nebraska state college football team, sophomore Lane Napier garnered the highest distinction awarded to a defensive player by the Omaha World-Herald. The media outlet announced Napier as the All-Nebraska defensive honorary captain on Saturday (Dec. 22). Junior running back Ryan Durdon and senior safety Kordell Glause were also named to the All-Nebraska team that included 11 selections on offense, 12 on defense and four on special teams.
Additionally, four Concordia student-athletes garnered honorable mention All-Nebraska accolades: seniors Vincent Beasley and Grady Koch and juniors Derek Tachovsky and Zac Walter.
The Bulldog football program has now been responsible for three of the past four and four of the last six Omaha World-Herald All-Nebraska defensive honorary captain awards. Defensive lineman Trey Barnes (2015 and 2016) took the title in back-to-back years and safety Darnell Woods collected the honor in 2013.
Napier was also recently named an NAIA first team All-American by the Associated Press. A two-time first team All-GPAC selection, Napier led the nation with 142 tackles (average of 14.2 per game). That figure is a program GPAC era (2000-present) record. The David City, Neb., native also paced the team in tackles for loss (12.5) and sacks (four). Napier added a forced fumble and a blocked extra point. Napier notched double figures in tackles eight times this season with a high of 22 at Morningside. After making 21 tackles in the win at Jamestown, Napier picked up the GPAC Defensive Player of the Week award. He has already recorded 239 tackles through his first 20 career collegiate games.
“Whether we’re doing some offseason lifting competition or we’re doing a goal-line drill in practice, he’s going to find a way to win,” head coach Patrick Daberkow told the Omaha World-Herald. “He’s just a nasty competitor.”
Durdon (Decatur, Texas) again served as the team’s biggest offensive threat. He amassed 1,439 all-purpose yards while making an impact in the passing game and as a kick returner. Behind a youthful offensive line, Durdon rushed for 821 yards and eight touchdowns. He caught 19 passes for 247 yards and a touchdown and totaled 371 yards on 11 kick returns (33.7 average). Durdon was tabbed the GPAC Offensive Player of the Week after rushing for 250 yards and two touchdowns in the season opening win over Buena Vista University (Iowa). Also a second team all-conference choice as a sophomore, Durdon ranks sixth in program history for career rushing yards (2,068).
Glause, who hails from Palmer, Neb., earned a great deal of respect throughout his career for playing through injury and by making an in-season shift this fall from linebacker to safety. The three-year starter who earned honorable mention all-conference accolades last season made 58 tackles, including five for loss and three sacks in 2018. His lone interception sealed the victory over Dakota Wesleyan. Glause forced a fumble and recovered one this fall. Over his career, Glause finished with 146 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, five sacks and two interceptions.
Beasley, Koch, Tachovsky and Walter were also honorable mention All-GPAC choices. Beasley was the team leader in receiving with 46 catches for 559 yards and three touchdowns. Meanwhile, Tachovsky (81) and Walter (80) were two of the team’s top tacklers as part of a stout linebacker unit. Koch missed a large port of the season due to injury, but was the team’s top offensive lineman when healthy.
NAIA/NCAA Division III All-Nebraska state college football team
Offense
WR: Jordan Johnson, Sr., Hastings
WR: Darrin Gentry, Jr., Midland
TE: Jacob Ellis, Sr., Midland
OL: Alex Boyer, Sr., Midland
OL: Colton Davis, So., Nebraska Wesleyan
OL: Daniel Jahn, Jr., Midland
OL: Quentin King, Sr., Peru State
OL: Isaac Sorensen, Sr., Doane
QB: Jack Kalina, Jr., Doane
RB: Ryan Durdon, Jr., Concordia
*RB: Tahj Willingham, Sr., Hastings
* — denotes honorary captain
Defense
DL: Stephens Bowers, Sr., Peru State
DL: Keyuntea Kinney, So., Hastings
DL: Anthony Malone, Jr., Doane
DL: Johan Williams, Sr., Midland
LB: Jacob Garnas, So., Nebraska Wesleyan
*LB: Lane Napier, So., Concordia
LB: Zachary Taylor, Fr., Peru State
LB: Wyatt Tremayne, Sr., Midland
DB: Chayton Crow, Sr., Doane
DB: Kordell Glause, Sr., Concordia
DB: Seth Majerus, Sr., Doane
DB: Anthony Murray, Sr., Hastings
* — denotes honorary captain
Special Teams
K: Bryce Cooney, Jr., Doane
P: Camdon Griffiths, So., Midland
RS: Mike Seawell, Sr., Midland
AP: Shaka Taylor, Sr., Nebraska Wesleyan
Honorable mention: Concordia: Vince Beasley, Grady Koch, Derek Tachovsky, Zac Walter. Doane: Jacob Beller, Connor Hughes, Garrett Sonderup, Nathan Williams. Hastings: Austin Bretting, Wesley Jardim, Tyree Nesmith, Tyler Parthemer. Midland: Ethan Butler, Ashton Ellis, Jett Hampton, Payton Nelson, Ray Rush, Dalton Tremayne, Lukas Vopnford. Nebraska Wesleyan: Caleb Conway, Jonathan Curti, Alex Kruse, Bradley Pelkey. Peru State: Colton Audsley, Dan Boshart, Luis Constantino, Victor Hubbard, Jordan Willis.