AP honors Omon, other small-college stars
New York ? Danny Woodhead ran for more yards than any player in the history of college football and was selected to the Associated Press Little All-America teams each season he played at Chadron State.
The 5-foot-9 running back was a first-team Little All-American for the second consecutive season, joining Northwest Missouri State running back Xavier Omon, a one-time Lawrence resident, and Harding quarterback David Knighton on the team released Thursday.
The AP Little All-America team honors players from Division II, III and the NAIA.
Woodhead ran for 7,962 yards for Division II Chadron State in Nebraska, topping the all-division record of 7,353 set by R.J. Bowers from 1997-2000 at Division III Grove City (Pa.) College.
Woodhead also ranks second in career all-purpose yardage with 9,479. His 109 career touchdowns ties the NCAA record and his 654 career points ranks second.
This season Woodhead rushed for 1,876 yards and scored 27 touchdowns. He is a finalist for the Harlon Hill Trophy, given to the best player in Division II.
Omon outplayed Woodhead when their teams met in the Division II playoffs three weeks ago. Northwest Missouri State beat Chadron State 28-21 behind 158 yards rushing by Omon. Woodhead was held to a career-low 16 yards and caught a touchdown pass.
Omon followed that up with 149 yards rushing and two touchdowns in 33-3 victory over Bloomsburg 33-3, then went for 292 yards and four touchdowns as the Bearcats snapped Grand Valley State’s 40-game winning streak last week.
Thanks to his outstanding postseason, Omon leads Division II in rushing with 2,274 yards.
Northwest Missouri State (12-1) plays Valdosta State (12-1) on Saturday in Florence, Ala., for the Division II national title.
Grand Valley State placed two players on the Little All-America team: linebacker Anthony Adams and offensive lineman Brandon Barnes.
Little All-America list
FIRST TEAM
Offense
Quarterback – David Knighton, junior, 6-foot-1, 225 pounds, Harding.
Running backs – Xavier Omon, senior, 5-11, 220, Northwest Missouri State; Danny Woodhead, senior, 5-9, 200, Chadron State.
Wide receivers – Weston Dressler, senior, 5-8, 164, North Dakota; Almonzo Banks, senior, 6-2, 220, West Liberty State.
Tight end – Kolo Kapanui, senior, 6-5, 255, West Texas A&M
Linemen – Ben Hochstein, senior, 6-4, 298, Nebraska-Omaha; Heath Benedict, junior, 6-6, 320, Newberry; Brandon Barnes, senior, 6-2, 322, Grand Valley State; Mackenzy Bernadeau, senior, 6-4, 303, Bentley; Tim McCutcheon, senior, 6-4, 305, California, Pa.
All-purpose player – Ashton Gronewold, senior, 5-10, 190, Missouri-Rolla.
Kicker – Jared Guberman, junior, 5-10, 190, West Georgia.
Defense
Linemen – Brandon Swain, junior, 6-4, 255, West Texas A&M; Curtis Johnson, senior, 6-3, 245, Clark Atlanta; Kurt Kissner, senior, 6-3, 245, Mesa State; Bryan Robinson, senior, 6-3, 292, Wesley.
Linebackers – Michael Eubanks, senior, 6-2, 225, Delta State; Jerrell Freeman, senior, 6-2, 205, Mary Hardin-Baylor; Anthony Adams, senior, 6-2, 240, Grand Valley State.
Defensive backs – Randy Kush, junior, 5-10, 189, Nebraska-Omaha; Cary Williams, senior, 6-2, 190, Washburn; Kendall Ricketts, senior, 5-10, 190, Central Missouri; Matt Kostelnik, senior, 6-1, 198, Mount Union.
Punter – Michael Podobnik, junior, 6-0, 230, Arkansas Tech.