ROCK HILL, S.C. -- Coming off the back of their first ever back-to-back South Atlantic Conference title, the Newberry College football continued to wrangle honors from the league as sophomore Mario Anderson (Summerville, S.C.) was named Piedmont Division Offensive Player of the Year while head coach Todd Knight was named Coach of the Year. Fourteen members of the team also earned All-Conference honors.

Anderson becomes the third Newberry player to earn the title of Offensive Player of the Year following in the footsteps of Raleigh Yeldell (2016) and Josh Stepp (2006) after rushing to a new single season high for the Wolves with 1,560 yards from scrimmage to his credit this season. He broke the record with a 63-yard scamper against Wingate before adding to his total in the championship game against Mars Hill. That number is also good enough to sit in sixth place in the conference record book for yards in a season. His 19 touchdowns sits as the second highest in program history and now sits third in the career rankings for rushing yards with 3,301, needing just over 560 yards to overtake the top spot on the list. He rushed for over 100 yards in a game nine times this season, more than doubling his career number to 16. In addition, Anderson was named First Team All-Conference for the second-straight season. He was also the league statistical champion in rushing yards per game and scoring average.

Knight earns his second straight Coach of the Year honor after taking his Wolves on a return trip to the pinnacle of the conference rankings. In his 14th season at the helm of the program, Knight posted a 7-2 record in the conference play. The Wolves rank fourth in the league in total offense (4,123 yards), fifth in yards per game (374.8), and third in points per game (31.2). They finished the regular season ranked No. 18 nationally.

Joining Anderson offensively on the first team was graduate quarterback Dre Harris (Greenville, S.C), graduate wide receiver Deshun Kitchings (Aiken, S.C.), graduate offensive lineman Jordan Campbell (Abbeville, S.C.), graduate tight end Tommy Washington (Spartanburg, S.C.) and junior long snapped Blake Arnoult (Prosperity, S.C.). Harris led the team for the third straight year as the starting quarterback and earns his second-straight All-Conference honor, jumping up to the First Team this year. He threw for 1,462 yards this year and 9 touchdowns while adding 262 yards and six scores on the ground. He sits second all-time in passing yards for the Wolves while leading them to a 24-6 mark as a starter overall and a 17-4 mark in league action.

Kitchings average over 20 yards per reception this season as he was able to haul in 31 catches for 646 yards and four touchdowns. This is the second year that Kitchings sat a top the receiving yard list as he did so also during the 2019 season for the Wolves. He sits eighth all-time in career receiving yards for Newberry with 1,773.  He also earned Second Team honors this year in the return specialist category after taking 11 kickoffs for 343 yards including a season-long of 83 yards.  He now stands at 642 return yards in his career.

Campbell saw action in 22 games during his time with the Wolves including nearly a full stale during the 2022 season. Along with his other lineman, graduate Kody Varn (Clinton, S.C.) and senior Noah Mangum (Piedmont, S.C.), whom each earned Second Team honors this year, allowed only 17 sacks on the year while helping the Wolves to have one of the best rushing attacks not only in the region, but in the country as well.

Washington became the first tight end to be named to the All-Conference squad since the 2016 season as he was able to haul in 21 catches for 281 yards on the season. None of his catches this year were as important as his game-winning snag in the fourth quarter of the SAC Championship to secure the 27-24 victory over Mars Hill, earning his the athletic department's "Rock Solid Player of the Game" award. 

Arnoult makes his second straight appearnace on the All-Confernce list and, like Harris, moved up from the Second Team to the First Team this year.  Named Preseason All-Conference as well, Arnoult was the long snapper for the Wolves throughout the entire season helping them to convert on nearly 1,500 yards of punting while also helping them to 18 clean field goal attempts on the year.  In addition, the Wolves would go 37-for-39 on PATs on the year.

Switching to the defensive side of the ball, senior defensive lineman Devante Gambrell (Anderson, S.C.) and graduate defensive back Marcus Morgan (Greenwood, S.C.) were each named to the First Team while junior defensive lineman Malik Devine-Brown (St. Petersburg, Fla.), junior defensive lineman Juwan Moye (Lilburn, Ga.), junior linebacker Luke Taylor (Summerville, S.C.) and senior linebacker AJ Valentine (Johnston, S.C.) were each named to the Second Team.

Gambrell was third on the team this season in total tackles with 45 while recording 21 solo tackles and also led the team with 5.0 sacks on the season for a total loss of 25 yards. He also added a pass breakup to his credit and tallied three QB hurries on the season. Blocked a pair of field goal attempts against Limestone while also tallying 6.0 tackles for loss as well this year for 27 yards.

Morgan tallied 36 tackles on the year including 25 solo while adding 2.5 tackles for loss accounting for 8 yards. He recorded five pass breakups and one fumble recovery on the year while helping lead a defense that allowed only 22 points a game.

Devine-Brown led the team on the season with 10.5 tackles for loss accounting for 32 yards lost by opponents. Also pitched in 4.5 sacks on the year for a loss of 22 yards, had three QB hurries and a fumble recovery. Along with his other two lineman on the team continues a pedigree of strong defensive lineman for the Wolves as they have had a member on the All-Conference squad every year since 2006.

Moye boasted a total of 30 tackles on the year including 4 for a loss of 16 yards. He added a pair of sacks on the season with eight yards lost and had one pass breakup, a pair of QB hurries and a blocked kick to his credit this season.

Taylor was the Wolves leading tackler on the season with 71, including 44 solo tackles. He anchored the defense of the Wolves that allowed just nine rushing touchdowns on the season. He tallied nine tackles for loss while also adding three sacks to his credit. He broke up one pass, hurried the QB six times and added a forced fumble to his stat line on the year. He hauled in a pair of interceptions, including one in the SAC Championship game.

Valentine was second on the team this year with 68 total tackles and 32 solo tackles. He accounted for 4.5 tackles for loss with 14 yards and 1.5 sacks for 9 yards. He led the team with eight pass break ups on the season with a QB hurry and an interception to his credit as well, with his INT coming at a crucial point in the Lenoir-Rhyne game, ensuring the Bishops Trophy would return home to Newberry.

The Wolves posted the most members to the All-Conference squad among Piedmont division teams with 14 while Limestone was the next closest with 12.

FIRST TEAM MOUNTAIN OFFENSE

QB –     Tre Simmons, Tusculum

RB –     Mekhai Johnson, Tusculum

RB –     Jervon Newton, Mars Hill

RB –     Grayson Overstreet, Emory & Henry

WR –    Braxton Westfield, Carson-Newman

WR –    Malik Laurent, Mars Hill

WR –    Tmahdae Penn, Emory & Henry

OL –     Leondre Andreas, Mars Hill

OL –     Tommy Mahoney, Tusculum

OL –     Justin Bullock, Mars Hill

OL –     Ricky Dodson, Emory & Henry

OL –     Christian Jones, Carson-Newman

TE –      Ty Snelson, Mars Hill

PK –     Christian Erwin, Carson-Newman

LS –      Andrew Bradshaw, Carson-Newman

RS –      Robert Carter, UVA Wise

FIRST TEAM MOUNTAIN DEFENSE

DL –     Dajavon White, Tusculum

DL –     Donovan Pinnix, Emory & Henry

DL –     Joel Burgess, UVA Wise

DL –     Frank Lee, Carson-Newman

LB –      Landon Honeycutt, Mars Hill

LB –      Ivan Phillips, Emory & Henry

LB –      Wesley Scott, Tusculum

LB –      Alonzo Houston, Carson-Newman

DB –     Monroe Sanderson, Mars Hill

DB –     Major Williams, Carson-Newman

DB –     Robert Carter, UVA Wise

DB –     Tristan Rankin, Mars Hill

P –        Andrew Cantrell, Tusculum              

SECOND TEAM MOUNTAIN OFFENSE

QB –     Jimmy Urzua, Mars Hill

RB –     TJ King, Carson-Newman

RB –     Tyree Nelson, Carson-Newman

RB –     Kevon Catoe, Erskine

RB -      Justin Hill, Emory & Henry

WR –    Tyler Burke, Tusculum

WR –    Trevarus Walker, Erskine

WR –    Markel Harrison, UVA Wise

OL –     Seth Branham, Mars Hill

OL –     Preston Robertson, Emory & Henry

OL –     Ben Shellenback, Tusculum

OL –     Mike Peppin, Carson-Newman

OL –     Joe Lock, Tusculum

TE –      Bryce Moore, Tusculum

PK –     Andre Labat, Mars Hill

LS –      Josh Curray, Tusculum

RS –      Mekhai Johnson, Tusculum

SECOND TEAM MOUNTAIN DEFENSE

DL –     Boris Lewis, Mars Hill

DL –     Damipi Lamboni, Mars Hill

DL –     Trayzel Jureidini-Wyche, Carson-Newman

DL –     Joslyn Mira, Tusculum

LB –      Jabril Norman, Mars Hill

LB –      Jamari Smith, Erskine

LB –      Ryan Dolce, Tusculum

LB –      Caleb Goins, Carson-Newman

DB –     Jermaine Witherspoon, Tusculum

DB –     Nick Jackson, Mars Hill

DB –     Addison Knicely, Emory & Henry

DB –     Andrae Robinson, Tusculum

P -       Michael Harrah, Carson-Newman

Mountain Offensive Freshman of the Year

Justin Hill, Emory & Henry

Mountain Offensive Player of the Year

Ty Snelson, Mars Hill

Mountain Defensive Freshman of the Year

Frank Lee, Carson-Newman

Mountain Defensive Player of the Year

Landon Honeycutt, Mars Hill

FIRST TEAM PIEDMONT OFFENSE

QB –     Dre Harris, Newberry

RB –     Mario Anderson, Newberry

RB –     Jordan Terrell, Barton

RB –     Tre Stewart, Limestone

WR –    Deshun Kitchings, Newberry

WR –    Kelin Parsons, Lenoir-Rhyne

WR –    Drew Dixon, Limestone

OL –     Evan Surgeon, Wingate

OL –     Cameron Thomason, Limestone

OL –     Luke Bond, Limestone

OL –     Xavier Jennings, Lenoir-Rhyne

OL –     Jordan Campbell, Newberry

TE –      Tommy Washington, Newberry

PK –     Ethan Evans, Wingate

LS –      Blake Arnoult, Newberry

RS –      Kujuan Pryor, Catawba

FIRST TEAM PIEDMONT DEFENSE

DL –     Devante Gambrell, Newberry

DL –     Marquise Fleming, Wingate

DL –     DJ Horne, Wingate

DL –     Andre Jefferson, Lenoir-Rhyne

LB –      Jaquan Edwards, Wingate     

LB –      Shane Perry, Barton

LB –      Jon Ross Maye, Lenoir-Rhyne

LB –      Chandler Matthews, Limestone

DB –     Tre Morrison, Wingate

DB –     C'Darius Kelley, Lenoir-Rhyne

DB –     Ahmond Glass, Limestone

DB –     Marcus Morgan, Newberry

P –        Ethan Evans, Wingate                            

SECOND TEAM PIEDMONT  OFFENSE

QB –     Dustin Noller, Limestone

RB –     Dwayne McGee, Lenoir-Rhyne

RB –     Alexander Wilson, Wingate

RB –     Anthony McAfee, Limestone

WR –    Kujuan Pryor, Catawba

WR –    Jelani Baker, Limestone

WR –    Kameron Johnson, Barton

OL –     Blake Jefferson, Lenoir-Rhyne

OL –     Noah Mangum, Newberry

OL –     Kody Varn, Newberry

OL –     Hunter Jolly, Wingate

OL –     Alex Buschow, Barton

TE –      Herman McCray, Limestone

PK –     Clayton Crile, Catawba

LS –      Keaton Chambers, Limestone

RS –      Deshun Kitchings, Newberry

SECOND TEAM PIEDMONT DEFENSE

DL –     Sirod Cook, Wingate

DL –     Joseph Gregory, Limestone

DL –     Malik Devine-Brown, Newberry

DL –     Juwan Moye, Newberry

LB –      Luke Taylor, Newberry            

LB –      AJ Valentine, Newberry

LB –      Davon Gilmore, Wingate

LB –      Devin Hibbitt, Lenoir-Rhyne

DB –     Quayon Gilbert, Barton

DB –     Dequan Mosley, Wingate

DB –     Zy Brown, Catawba

DB –     Jeremiah Lomax, Limestone

P -    Clayton Crile, Catawba  

Piedmont Offensive Freshman of the Year

Malik Simmons, Lenoir-Rhyne

Piedmont Offensive Player of the Year

Mario Anderson, Newberry

Piedmont Defensive Freshman of the Year

Jordon Thomas, Wingate

Piedmont Defensive Player of the Year

DJ Horne, Wingate

Jacobs Blocking Trophy

Evan Surgeon, Wingate

Coach of the Year

Todd Knight, Newberry

Statistical Champions
Rushing Yards Per Game: Mario Anderson, Newberry (152.9)
Passing Yards Per Game: Tre Simmons, Tusculum (216.7)
Total Offense Per Game: Tre Simmons, Tusculum (242.6)
Receptions Per Game: Braxton Westfield, Carson-Newman (5.0)
Receiving Yards Per Game: Braxton Westfield, Carson-Newman (80.5)
All-Purpose Yards Per Game: Tre Stewart, Limestone (164.7)
Passing Efficiency Rating: Dustin Noeller, Limestone (151.2)
Punt Return Avg.: Ra'Quan Simmons, Wingate (17.9)
Kick Return Avg.: Kujuan Pryor, Catawba (33.6)
Punting Avg.: Ethan Evans, Wingate (46.4)
Scoring Average (TDs): Mario Anderson, Newberry (11.3)
Scoring Average (K): Johnathan Medlin, Lenoir-Rhyne (6.6)
Field Goals Per Game: Kellan Dalton, UVA Wise (0.91)
Field Goal Percentage: Johnathan Medlin, Lenoir-Rhyne (.800)
Tackles Per Game: Shane Perry, Barton (9.0)
Sacks Per Game: Andre Jefferson, Lenoir-Rhyne (1.18)
Tackles for Loss Per Game: Marquise Fleming, Wingate (2.1)
Interceptions Per Game: Robert Carter, UVA Wise (0.5)
Team Scoring Offense: Limestone (36.2)
Team Scoring Defense: Wingate (10.7)
Team Passing Offense: Limestone (271.2)
Team Passing Defense: Wingate (144.5)
Team Rushing Offense: Barton (213.5)
Team Rushing Defense: Wingate (60.1)
Team Total Offense: Limestone (470.7)
Team Total Defense: Wingate (210.1)