WESTERVILLE, Ohio — Marietta College placed eight players on the All-Ohio Athletic Conference Football Team announced Monday (Nov. 22) morning by the league office. Seniors
Kyle Gallagher (Chesterland, Ohio/West Geauga) and
Drake Neuberger (Norwalk, Ohio/Norwalk) were named co-recipients of the Paul Hoernemann Award as the conference's Most Outstanding Defensive Linemen.
This is the fifth time that a Pioneer has been chosen as the Paul Hoernemann Award winner. Neuberger won the honor last spring joining Marietta College Hall of Famers Jason Olivea (1995) and Phil Schmucker (1985).
"Drake's production is nothing short of extraordinary," Marietta head coach
Andy Waddle said. "His ability to get to the quarterback is as good as anybody in the country. I've never seen anybody play harder than Drake."
Neuberger is a three-time All-OAC selection earning honorable mention in 2019 and first team honors last spring and this fall. The defensive end finished the season with 69 tackles and led the OAC with 20.5 tackles for a loss and 14.0 sacks. Neuberger ranked second in NCAA Division III for sacks and fourth for tackles for a loss.
"So much of our success that we've had over the past few seasons has been because of how disruptive Kyle is as a defensive tackle," Waddle said. "Offenses can't single block him which keeps our linebackers free and helps generate a pass rush other places."
Gallagher is making his fourth appearance on the All-OAC team and third straight season earning first team recognition. The defensive tackle recorded 53 total stops this season including 27 solo tackles and 26 assisted. Gallagher was responsible for 13.0 tackles for a loss including 6.0 sacks.
In addition to Gallagher and Neuberger, defensive back
Tay Pryor (Canton, Ohio/GlenOak) and running back
Bryce Agnew (Cleveland, Ohio/Berea-Midpark) were named first team All-OAC. Two Pioneers earned second team honors including tight end
Gage Giovengo (Benwood, W.Va./The Linsly School) and offensive lineman
David Busch (Strongsville, Ohio/Lutheran West). Linebacker
Kyler Folkert (West Lafayette, Ohio/Dover) and defensive back
Malik Grier (Huntington, W.Va./Huntington) were honorable mention.
"Tay has been one of the best defensive backs in the conference for several seasons! He led the nation in passes defended this year as our boundary corner," Waddle said. "The structure of our defense often meant that Tay was matched up one on one versus the opposing team's top receiver. He did an outstanding job all year and played at an All-American level."
Pryor, a first team honoree in 2019 as well, led Division III with 1.8 passes defended per game. His 15 pass break ups were tops in the OAC. Pryor finished the season with 48 total tackles. He had three interceptions and blocked one kick.
Agnew is a first team all-conference pick for the second straight season. He led the conference in rushing averaging 113.9 yards per game eclipsing the 100-yard mark in seven of MC's 10 games. He was also tops in the OAC averaging 155.3 all-purpose yards per game.
"Bryce was awesome almost every week this year," Waddle said. "The leader in the conference in both rushing and all-purpose yards, Bryce was able to make a major impact in every game this fall. He's an outstanding leader and his teammates love playing with him."
"Giovengo is a two-time All-OAC performer after earning first team honors last spring. In addition to being a key component of the offensive line that cleared the way for Agnew's OAC-leading rushing attack, Giovengo had eight receptions for 58 yards and two touchdowns this fall.
Busch, a first-time all-conference selection, started nine games on the offensive line this fall playing primarily at the left guard position.
An honorable mention honoree last spring, Folkert is making his second appearance on the all-conference team. The junior was second on the team with 70 total tackles, including 40 solo stops. He posted 7.5 tackles for a loss and 1.0 sack. Folkert had one interception, forced one fumble, and recovered another.
Grier is a first-time all-conference pick. He finished the season with 36 tackles, including 17 solo tackles and 19 assisted. Grier picked off three passes, including one pick-six, and had five pass break ups this fall.
Marietta finished the season with a 4-6 overall record and 4-5 OAC mark.
Fans can follow all the Pioneer teams all year long at
pioneers.marietta.edu. You can also follow the Pioneers on Facebook at
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