Sierra Leads List of 11 Yellow Jackets Named to All-HCAC Teams

DEFIANCE, Ohio – After a good year in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference, 11 Defiance football players have been awarded 13 postseason honors for their effort this season. Tony Sierra headlines the list for Defiance College as he was named the HCAC Defense Player of the Year. [Complete Release]

Sierra (Warren, Mich. / Cousino) is the first Yellow Jacket to win the Defensive Player of the Year Award since 2010, when Kyle Longsdorf collected the award. Sierra tied for the conference lead and was ranked 13th nationally in interceptions with five.  He also led the country in passes defended with 26 on the season. The senior made 39 tackles on the year and returned one fumble recovery for a score.  Sierra was also named to the All-HCAC First Team.

Andrew Leverenz (Clinton, Mich. / Clinton) was also awarded All-HCAC First Team for his senior campaign.  Leverenz totaled eight sacks on the season, which was third most in the HCAC.  He also forced two fumbles on the season and recorded 50 tackles, including 13.5 for a loss that totaled 102 yards.

Also on the list for the first team was defensive back Andrew Feldhaus (Lutz, Fla. / Steinbrenner), who forced six fumbles on the season, which led the conference and ranked him fourth in the nation, while recovering four more. The sophomore also had five interceptions which tied him with teammate Sierra for the top spot in the conference and 13th in the nation.  Feldhaus accounted for 82 tackles on the season along with 8.5 for a loss.

Leroy Chetham (Richmond, Va. / Meadowbrook) rounds out the first team selections for DC.  Cheatham finished second in the conference and fourth in nation in passes defended with 19.  Also was able to grab two interceptions and make 21 tackles on the season.

Blaine McGowan (South Haven, Mich. / South Haven) was named to the All-HCAC Second Team this season. He totaled 83 tackles on the season and forced one fumble.  McGowan was also able to get to the opposing quarterback for two sacks on the year.

Brian Mircovich (Clearwater, Fla. / East Lake) was honored by being placed on the All-HCAC Second Team.  The senior wide out caught 48 passes this year for 478 yards and one touchdown.

Fellow wide receiver Trey White (Indianapolis, Ind. / Lawrence Central) was also named to the All-HCAC Second Team for his freshman campaign as a returner. He returned 20 kicks for 372 yards. White also was named honorable mention as a wide receiver. He scored two touchdowns on 43 catches throughout the season.  He totaled for 491 yards on those catches. 

Sophomore Jorry Matherson (Columbia, Md. / Atholton) rounds out the four Yellow Jackets named to the All-HCAC Second Team. Matherson made 54 tackles and had two interceptions. He also defended on 12 passes and forced one fumble.

Defensive lineman Jamario Belton (Tampa, Fla. / Spoto) was named to the All-HCAC Honorable Mention team.  Belton made 40 tackles on the year and also had 1.5 sacks. Belton recorded six tackles for a loss on the season, totaling 22 yards.

Linebacker Eric Strickland (West Palm Beach / Seminole Ridge) made 48 tackles and was in the backfield 9.5 times on tackles this season and was also named to the All-HCAC Honorable Mention team.  The junior had 1.5 sacks and also had one fumble recovery.

Defensive Back Josh Slayton (Fort Wayne, Ind./North Side) was also recognized on Wednesday. The junior was named to the All-Sportsmanship team and gave all five starting defensive backs for the Yellow Jackets postseason awards. Slayton made 50 total tackles on the season, including 4.5 tackles for a loss, totaling 21 yards. Slayton made two sacks and also had two interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown. Slayton forced one fumble and also made two fumble recoveries.

The complete release can be found here.