Photo by: Tim Cowie - DavidsonPhotos.com
Ten Named to Phil Steele Preseason All-PFL; Dugger Offensive POTY
7/23/2020 3:24:00 PM | Football
DAVIDSON, N.C. – Ten Wildcats were named to the Phil Steele Preseason All-Pioneer Football League Team, including Preseason Offensive Player of the Year Wesley Dugger, announced Friday.
Dugger joined classmate offensive lineman Zach Hester and junior wide receiver Jalen Staples on the preseason first team.
Junior linebacker Jalen Jefferson and safety classmate Dreylan Hines were tabbed second teamers. The final five earned third team laurels – senior quarterback Tyler Phelps, junior defensive tackle Jordan Reed, sophomore linebacker Jake Alexander, senior cornerback Jaylon Bolden and junior punter Evan Pritchard.
The team is chosen by prominent football contributor, Phil Steele, and staff members of DraftScouts.com.
For Dugger, it marks the second consecutive year on the Phil Steele Preseason first team. In 2019, the Henrico, Va., product ran for 1,000 yards for the third season, gaining 1,068 yards on 202 carries and a single-season best 22 touchdowns. He also became the program's all-time leading rusher and looks to add to that total in his final campaign.
Staples provided explosive plays for the 'Cats in his second season, averaging 22.2 yards per catch and found the end zone three times. Like Nick Nolting '19 before him, Hester moved in from the tight end spot in the formation to the offensive line and was named to the All-PFL team after just playing 12 games in the trenches.
Jefferson and Hines were integral pieces in one of the most improved defensive units in the FCS last season. Hines was listed an All-PFL honorable mention, while Jefferson returns as the leading tackler after amassing 50 total, 2.5 for loss and a sack.
The defensive 'Cats that make up the third team also proved pivotal in establishing the fourth ranked defense in the nation. Bolden was stellar in his first full season in the secondary, while Reed rebounded from an injury-plagued rookie campaign to be a force on the interior. Alexander, a dominant two-way player at South Point High, found a permanent home on defense in 2019 and has a bright future, as shown by his selection to the Preseason team.
Phelps returns for his final season under center after proving the new-look dominant Davidson run attack was no fluke. Behind Phelps, the Wildcats were first in third down percentage, second in rushing offense and posted the 21st best offense among the FCS.
Pritchard averaged 41.6 yards per punt, pinning three inside the 20 and two that went over 50 yards.
The 10 selections are up one from nine in the 2019 Phil Steele Preseason All-PFL Team. The Preseason All-PFL Team is slated to be released Thursday, July 30.
Phil Steele Preseason All-Pioneer Football League
First Team
Wesley Dugger, Senior, Running Back (Preseason Offensive Player of the Year)
Jalen Staples, Junior, Wide Receiver
Zach Hester, Senior, Offensive Line
Second Team
Jalen Jefferson, Junior, Linebacker
Dreylan Hines, Junior, Safety
Third Team
Tyler Phelps, Senior Quarterback
Jordan Reed, Junior, Defensive Line
Jake Alexander, Sophomore, Linebacker
Jaylon Bolden, Senior, Cornerback
Evan Pritchard, Junior, Punter
Players Mentioned
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