Senior Richard Stokes was one of seven Lakers named to an All-PSAC team.
Erie, Pa. - Mercyhurst Head Football Coach Marty Schaetzle earned PSAC West Coach of the Year honors, and the Lakers placed seven players on the All-PSAC West first and second teams, announced by conference officials.
Representing Mercyhurst on the All-PSAC West First Team offense were: Senior running back Richard Stokes and junior offensive tackle Dave Hetrick. Senior defensive lineman Zac Wild, junior linebacker Bryan Boyce, and senior linebacker Jimmy Kokrak earned first team honors on the defensive side.
Junior tight end Josh Szeluga and senior defensive back Theo Hall earned second team all-PSAC West honors.
Schaetzle led the Lakers to a 7-4 finish just one year after finishing 4-7 in the program's final year in the GLIAC. The Lakers also remained in the hunt for the PSAC West championship up until the final week of divisional play before losing a close game to eventual league champ Cal. The Lakers finished 5-2 in the PSAC West in a three-way tie for second place. A big part of the improvement by the Lakers this year in their first year in the PSAC was the defensive numbers. Mercyhurst allowed just 18 points per game this year compared to 38.3 last year, and 283.8 yards per game overall compared to 419.8 last year. The Lakers also led the league in pass defense, allowing just 153.6 yards per game through the air.
Stokes (Cincinnati, Ohio/Winton Woods) completed an electrifying career by breaking most of Mercyhurst’s career rushing and touchdown totals. He rushed for 961 yards and 13 rushing touchdowns, tying his own season record, set in 2007. His biggest game came at Gannon Oct. 11, as Stokes ran for a school record five TD’s in the Lakers’ 35-32 win over the Golden Knights. He set the career mark for total TD’s (38) during his five-TD night at Gannon and was named PSAC West Athlete of the Week. Against Lock Haven Oct. 4, Stokes scored two rushing TD’s, giving him 31 for his career, breaking the old record of 30. His signature touchdown this season came late in the game at Edinboro, as he broke around the end on a 4th and short play, taking it in for the 31-yard score and giving the Lakers a 24-21 lead in Mercyhurst’s upset of the Fighting Scots.
Hetrick (Northfield, Ohio/Brecksville) cleared the way for the Lakers running attack this season, as Mercyhurst averaged 179.5 yards per game on the ground. Also, his pass blocking gave sophomore quarterback Garrett Kensy time to pick out receivers, as Kensy completed 55.2 percent of his passes this season. Hetrick began his career as a defensive lineman before switching to the offensive line in 2007.
Wild (Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin) anchored a much-improved Laker defense in 2008, as Mercyhurst was among the nation’s leaders in several defensive categories all season. He recorded a total of 61 tackles, including 12 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks. He ranks fourth all-time in program history with 39 tackles for loss and 17.5 sacks. Wild was very effective in disrupting opposing offenses throughout the season, regularly beating his man and requiring a double-team. Wild was a 2007 All-GLIAC honoree and earned GLIAC all-academic awards two times.
Boyce (Hubbard, Ohio/Hubbard) came back from injury to lead the team in tackles with 91. He tied for second on the team with 10 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks. He recovered two fumbles to lead the Lakers. His presence on the linebacking corps, along with a healthy Kokrak, proved unsettling for opposing offenses. Boyce played effectively against the run, blitzing, and in pass coverage, as he picked off one pass. He was part of a defense that held opponents to 283 yards per game, a 136 yard improvement over the defense’s 2007 numbers.
Kokrak (Warren, Ohio/John F. Kennedy) also missed all of 2007 and played a major role in the defense’s vast improvement with his play at linebacker in 2008. He recorded 90 tackles on the season, good for second on the team. Kokrak led the Lakers with six sacks and tied for second with 10 tackles for loss. He ranks fourth all-time in program history with 333 tackles. He recorded one interception on the season. His play at outside linebacker was excellent, as he regularly got pressure on the quarterback and stopped opposing running backs from getting around the edge.
Szeluga (Cheektowaga, N.Y./West Seneca East) hauled in 32 receptions for 402 yards and three touchdowns in 2008, placing second on the team in all three categories. He was very effective down the seam, and caught two TD’s against Lock Haven Oct. 4. He caught five passes for 81 yards in the Lakers’ win over Clarion Sept. 20. Szeluga ranks third in program history with 13 career TD receptions and is nearing the top ten in several other receiving statistics. He led Mercyhurst with 10 TD catches in 2007 and was named All-GLIAC honorable mention.
Hall (Cincinnati, Ohio/Winton Woods) finished his career Nov. 8 against Shippensburg, intercepting two passes. His best game of the season came at Edinboro Oct. 23. He intercepted a pass late in the first half, returning it 46 yards to set up Mercyhurst’s first TD. With the Lakers trailing 21-10 in the third quarter, Hall broke a 49-yard kick return to set up another Laker strike. He helped preserve the upset by blocking a field goal attempt in the closing seconds, helping the Lakers win 24-21 over the Fighting Scots. He was named PSAC Defensive Player of the Week. Hall ranks in the top ten in career interceptions and is the Lakers’ all-time leader in kick return yards.