Three Yellow Jackets Named to All-Ohio Preseason Team

PICKERINGTON, Ohio - Three Defiance College Yellow Jackets football seniors were named to the OhioCollegeFootball.com 2013 Preseason NCAA Division III All-Ohio squad this past week. Defensive lineman Andrew Leverenz, defensive back Tony Sierra, and punter Aaron Spence joined 31 other players on the list.

For Sierra, it marks the second straight year the senior has made the list. Last season, Sierra was named All-Ohio preseason, but suffered a season-ending injury and recieved a medical hardship waiver. Sierra was named First team All-HCAC in 2011 an Second team All-Ohio after a record breaking season. The punt returner and defensive back set a DC record for an 84-yard punt return for a touchdown before being named with the D3football.com National Team of the Week and HCAC Defensive Player of the Week accolades in the following weeks.

Leverenz was named to the preseason list after earning First team All-HCAC and Third team All-Ohio honors in 2012. As a junior, Leverenz made 51 tackles, with 21 coming for a loss. Leverenz totaled 10.5 sacks with a fumble recovery and a block.

Spence also was recognized with Third team All-Ohio honors last season. The back up quarterback and punter for the Yellow Jackets was named the HCAC Special Teams Player of the Week once last season and averaged. 37.3 yards per punt as a junior. Spence had five punts of 50+ yards, including a season long of 67 yards. He also had 16 punts fall inside the 20-yard line with only four touchbacks.

Defiance College represents the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference well in the preseason list as Mount St. Joseph offensive lineman Phil Wiehe was the only other HCAC player to be named among the 34 players.

The Yellow Jackets open up the season Saturday, Sept. 7 at Albion College.