The Missouri Western State University football team had three players named to the 2012 USA Football News Division II Pre-Season All-Americans which was released Monday morning.
The three Griffons consist of one defensive player, one offensive player and a special teamer. Senior defensive end David Bass (St. Louis, Mo./University City HS) and junior punter Scott Groner (Tecoma, Victoria (Australia)/Blackburn HS)) were named to the first team while senior offensive lineman Macon Allan (King City, Mo./King City HS) was named to the third team.
This marks the third preseason All-America honor for Bass who was named first team All-America by Lindy’s Magazine back on June 14 and first team All-American by Beyond Sports Network on June 26. This is Allan’s third All-America honor as he was named first team All-America by Lindy’s Magazine and and second team by Beyond Sports Network. This marks Groner’s second honor as he was named first team by Beyond Sports Netwrok.
Last season Bass was named to numerous all-america teams which included first team honors from D2Football.com, Don Hansen Football Gazette, AP “Little” All-American and Beyond Sports College Network. His 20 tackles for a loss set a school record for most in a season while his 14.5 sacks led the MIAA and left him one-half sack short of the Griffons single season record. He has 28.5 sacks in his career which is 1.5 short of the school record. He tied a single game high with four sacks in a game twice and was fourth in the nation in sacks per game at 1.21. He earned MIAA Defensive Player of the Week honors twice and was the D2Football.com Player of the Week once.
He finished the season with 55 tackles with 35 being solo. He had eight quarterback hurries, four pass break-ups and one forced fumble. He was named first team all-MIAA for the first time in his career last season.
In his first season of college football Groner had an outstanding season. He played in all 12 games punting the ball 50 times for 2,193 yards. His 43.9 yards per punt average set a single season record. Thirteen of his punts went for 50 or more yards while he dropped 17 inside the 20. He was an honorable mention all-MIAA selection as well as a Don Hansen second team all-American. He was also named Beyond Sports College Network’s Punter of the Week on November 23, 2011 as well an honorable mention all-America selection by Beyond Sports College Network.
Allan has been a rock on the offensive line since he got to Western. He has started all 36 games in his three years of playing. Last season he was first team all-MIAA for the first time in his career. He was also named to the Don Hansen Honorable Metion all-America team as well as the Don Hansen second team all-Region. He helped the Griffons rush for 240 yards per game and almost six yards per carry in 2011.
The Griffons finished 9-3 last season, which tied them for the most wins in a season. They have won nine games in six of the last nine seasons. They have also had a winning record in 11 of 15 seasons under head coach Jerry Partridge. The Griffons return a total of 17 starters on offense and defense next season, including 10 of 11 on offense and seven of 11 on defense.
Western opens up their 2012 season on Thursday, August 30 against MIAA opponent University of Central Missouri at 6:00 pm in St. Joseph, Mo.
— MWSU Sports Information —