The Youngstown State football team wrapped up the 2009 season on Saturday afternoon with an emotional Awards Banquet at the Kilcawley Center. Senior wide receiver Donald Jones was named the John Delserone Most Valuable Player while senior tailback Kevin Smith was named the Outstanding Offensive Performer and senior defensive end Mychal Savage was tabbed the Outstanding Defensive Performer
It was the final banquet for nine-year Coach Jon Heacock, who spoke publicly for the first time since stepping down. In a special tribute from the Penguins' 12 seniors, each presented Heacock with a rose and thanked him for all had done throughout their careers. Heacock himself handed out a rose as part of his Senior Speech in his last banquet.
Jones, the team's MVP, was named a first-team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference selection following his record-setting campaign. He finished the year with a school-record 77 receptions, eclipsing the mark of 75 established by Jim Ferranti in 1979. Twice during the 2009 slate (Missouri State and Southern Illinois) Jones tied the school record with 11 receptions. For the year, he had 790 yards receiving, scored six touchdowns and averaged 71.8 yards a contest.
Smith, the top Offensive Performer, had a solid campaign rushing for a team-best 780 yards on 182 carries while scoring four touchdowns. He finished fourth on the team with 15 receptions for 92 yards. Smith rushed for more than 100 yards against Austin Peay (116), Western Illinois (113), Illinois State (121) and North Dakota State (101). He had a season-best 28 carries versus WIU and had at least 16 attempts in eight games.
Savage, the top Defensive Performer, was named a first-team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference selection for the third time in his career. He was previously selected in 2006 and 2007. He helped lead the YSU defensive line after suffering a season-ending injury in 2008. Savage was credited with 37 total tackles, including 19 solo stops. He led the team with eight tackles for losses and 4.5 sacks.
Senior linebacker Draye Ersery was named the Ron Stoops Most Inspirational Player of the 2009 Penguins. Ersery started the final three games at middle linebacker after primarily playing on special teams the first eight games of the year. His best game in a YSU uniform was on Senior Day against Illinois State where he was one-man wrecking crew. He finished with 11 total tackles, including eight solos to help spearhead the win over the Redbirds.
Senior wide receiver Aaron Pitts was the recipient of the Dr. Spurgeon Torchbearer Award. Pitts had the finest season of his Youngstown State career in 2009. He caught 33 passes for 397 yards and three touchdowns. His best performance of the season was a seven-catch, 102-yard contest at Southern Illinois. He had touchdown receptions against SIU, Indiana State and North Dakota State. He had 20 receptions in the final five games of the year. Entering the season, Pitts had 12 catches for 137 yards and one touchdown.
Junior offensive guard Eric Rodemoyer was honored as the Jim Zdelar Offensive Lineman of the Year. Rodemoyer played the final 10 games, starting nine, on the offensive line. Of those he started eight at left guard and one at left tackle. He was selected as the Penguins' Offensive Lineman of the Game an impressive six times during the season. He was a second-team All-MVFC selection.
Senior defensive tackle Crispin Fernandez was named the Jermaine Hopkins Defensive Lineman of the Year. Fernandez battled back from an illness early in the year to be key part of the Guins' front line. He was credited with 23 total tackles for the year. He was named the Defensive Lineman of the Game at UNI and against Illinois State.
Senior offensive guard Brian Mellott was named the Neal R. Frost Outreach Man of the Year. Mellott was the only offensive linemen to start every game, lining up at right guard. An August graduate, Mellott was a first-team Academic All-District selection and second-team academic all-conference selection. He has been one of the team leaders in community service throughout his career.
Senior punter Ben Nowicki was named the Paul McFadden/Jeff Wilkins Specialist of the Year. Nowicki punted 38 times for an average of 40.6 yards per punt. He had two punts of more than 60 yards, including a career-long 67-yard boot at Indiana State.
The Four Square Academic Player of the Year was junior placekicker Stephen Blose. Blose, who was a first-team Academic All-District and Academic All-MVFC selection, carries a 4.00 grade-point average in Middle Childhood Education. In his first year as the Guins' placekicker, he made all 27 of his extra-point tries, was 9-fo-16 on field-goal attempts and led the team in scoring with 54 points. He also had 46 kickoffs for an average of 62.2 yards.
Jones received the Football Alumni Club Difference Maker Award for his performance in the Homecoming Contest versus Missouri State. Jones caught a school-record-tying 11 passes for 130 yards and touchdown in the Penguins loss to the Bears. Each year the YSU Football Alumni Club honors a player from the Homecoming Game who made a difference in the contest.
Senior quarterback Brandon Summers was the Four Square Offensive Player of the Game against Austin Peay. The Penguins defeated the Governors 38-21 behind Summers who threw a school-record-tying four touchdown passes in the ballgame. He completed 17-of-24 passes for 232 yards and had a passing efficiency of 207.03 for the game.
Sophomore strong safety Sir Demarco Bledsoe was the Four Square Defensive Player of the Game against Austin Peay. Bledsoe had a career-high 15 total tackles, including 10 solo stops in the victory over the Governors. He also had a sack and a pass breakup. His 15 tackles were the most by a Penguin since 2004 and the most by a member of the secondary since 2002.
2009 YSU Football Awards
John Delserone Most Valuable Player -- Donald Jones, WR
Outstanding Offensive Player -- Kevin Smith, TB
Outstanding Defensive Player -- Mychal Savage, DE
Ron Stoops Inspirational Player -- Draye Ersery, LB
Dr. Spurgeon Torchbearer -- Aaron Pitts, WR
Jim Zdelar Offensive Lineman of the Year -- Eric Rodemoyer, OG
Jermaine Hopkins Defensive Lineman of the Year -- Crispin Fernandez, DT
Neal R. Frost Outreach Man of the Year -- Brian Mellott, OG
Four Square Academic Player of the Year -- Stephen Blose, PK
Paul McFadden/Jeff Wilkins Specialist of the Year -- Ben Nowicki, P
Alumni Club Difference Maker Award -- Donald Jones, WR (vs. Missouri State)
Four Square Offensive Player of the Game vs. Austin Peay - Brandon Summers, QB
Four Square Defensive Player of the Game vs. Austin Peay - Sir Demarco Bledsoe, SS
COURTESY: YSU SPORTS INFORMATION
