Champion Greenville leads UMAC football postseason awards
ST. PAUL, Minn.---Greenville University captured the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) football regular season title in undefeated fashion and will make the program's first NCAA tournament appearance Saturday. Following the team's success, the Panthers headlined the UMAC postseason honors taking four of the top five awards, it was announced Thursday.
Head Coach Robbie Schomaker earned his second-consecutive Coach of the Year nod after leading his team to a 6-0 conference mark. Panther running back Paul Garrett took the Most Valuable Offensive Player of the Year award, while Turjon McLaurin was selected by the coaches as Most Valuable Defensive Player and Most Valuable Lineman of the Year. Tim Branneky of Westminster College earned the Most Valuable Special Teams Player of the Year award.
This season, Schomaker's squad had strength on both sides of the ball which helped the team to its fourth conference championship in the UMAC in program history. The Panthers led the UMAC in conference play in scoring (37.1 points per game/ppg), offense (464.8 yards per game/ypg) and defense (239.3 ypg). In three conference games this season, Greenville held its opponent to 14 points or less and scored 30 or more points four times this season. The Panthers opened conference play with an impressive 21-14 overtime win to knock off two-time defending UMAC champion Martin Luther College.
The key to the Panther offensive attack this season lied heavily with Garrett who ended the regular season among the top backs in the nation. Currently, Garrett ranks first in NCAA Division III for scoring (13.8 ppg), total points (138), total touchdowns (23) and all-purpose yards per game (196.8). The junior is second in total rushing yards (1,614), rushing yards per game (161.4) and rushing touchdowns (21). In conference play, Garrett ranked first in the top rushing categories with 1,067 yards, 177.8 ypg, 16 rushing touchdowns, 8.3 yards per carry and a long run of 85 yards. He was also first in total scoring (108 points), touchdowns (18) and all-purpose yards (1,312/ 218.0 ypg).
Garrett was nearly unstoppable as he recorded 100-plus yards in all 10 games played this season and recorded 200 or more in three of the final four regular season contests. He tallied four rushing touchdowns in a win over Crown College and had three or more total touchdowns in each of the last four games played. Four times this season Garrett was selected as the UMAC Offensive Player of the Week and he has twice been named to the D3football.com Team of the Week.
As effective as Garrett was on the offensive side of the ball, McLaurin was just as disruptive as a one-man wrecking crew on the defensive line this season. The sophomore led a defense in conference play that had the most sacks (21) for a total of 165 yards and that allowed just 63.5 rushing yards per game to opponents. McLaurin's 10 sacks on the season are twice as many as the next conference player and ranks 22nd in Division III for sacks per game (1.00). Against UMAC teams, McLaurin led the conference in tackles for a loss (12.0) which averaged to 2.00 per game for a total of 79 yards. He was also 14th in total tackles (38) and had 16 solo takedowns.
As the season went on, McLaurin became even more dominant. He recorded at least one tackle for a loss in all six conference games and had more than one sack in each of the final four games of the season. Against Crown, McLaurin tallied three sacks for a total loss of 29 yards. He also owns one fumble recovery that went for 14 yards in the win over Martin Luther.
The final top honor went to Branneky who was a steady presence in the special teams game for Westminster. He was nearly perfect going 21-of-23 on extra point attempts this season which earned him First Team honors for kicking. Branneky was also the First Team selection for punter where he was even more impressive. The senior averaged 39.0 yards per punt in conference play which was second. He had a long punt of 52 yards and pinned nine kicks inside the 20 yard line. He attempted the most conference punts with 23 for a total of 898 yards. In overall games, he averaged 40.6 yards per punt which ranks seventh in NCAA Division III.
Greenville finished with the most First Team all-conference selections with 10 and a total of 15 between the two teams, while Martin Luther had 16 total and nine First Team selections. The University of Minnesota Morris had 10 total selections after finishing third in the standings.
Five players recognized with all-conference honors have now done so three times in their career including Carrington Cunningham (Martin Luther), Sam Glaubitz (University of Northwestern), George Obitz (Northwestern), Andrew Owczarzak (Martin Luther) and Mike Radue (Martin Luther). Cunningham is the only player on the list who has been a three-time First Team honoree.
Eight other players have earned all-conference accolades – either First or Second Team – twice in their careers with Branneky and Garrett leading the group with First Team honors in each of those two seasons. The other players include Ben Arndt (Martin Luther), Branden Carlson (Minnesota Morris), Aiden Holien (Martin Luther), Joshuah Kren (Martin Luther), Cole Mistretta (Crown) and Ben Riegsecker (Martin Luther). Branneky, Garrett and Holien all earned all-conference honors at two or more positions with Holien collecting honors at three spots (defensive back, kick returner and punt returner).
Martin Luther also won the team sportsmanship award, an accolade that is selected by the UMAC coaches and awarded to the team that best represents sportsmanship throughout the entire season. Each team also had one representative named to the individual sportsmanship award list.
*Most Valuable Offensive Player: Paul Garrett, Jr., Greenville
#Most Valuable Defensive Player: Turjon McLaurin, So., Greenville
^Most Valuable Special Teams Player: Tim Branneky, Sr., Westminster
%Most Valuable Lineman: Turjon McLaurin, So., Greenville
Coach of the Year: Robbie Schomaker, Greenville
2021 UMAC All-Conference First Team Offense
| Pos. |
Name |
Team |
Yr. |
Hometown/High School |
| QB |
Chase Butterfield |
Greenville |
Jr. |
Columbia, Tenn./Columbia Academy |
| QB |
Wyatt Ellis |
Westminster |
Sr. |
Owensville, Mo./Owensville |
| RB |
Taylor Dobbins |
Westminster |
Sr. |
Laurie, Mo./Versailles |
| RB* |
Paul Garrett |
Greenville |
Jr. |
Goodwater, Ala./Clay Central |
| RB |
Carson Oestreich |
Martin Luther |
So. |
Norfolk, Neb./Pierce Public |
| WR |
Beau Burk |
Northwestern |
Fy. |
Ogilvie, Minn./Ogilvie |
| WR |
Branden Carlson |
Minnesota Morris |
Sr. |
Mayer, Minn./Mayer Lutheran |
| WR |
Delrey Crowder |
Greenville |
So. |
Danville, Iowa/Danville |
| WR |
Trey King |
Westminster |
Jr. |
Fort Worth, Texas/Richland |
| TE |
Damon Clapper |
Northwestern |
Sr. |
Dallas Center, Iowa/Dallas Center-Grimes |
| OL |
Carrington Cunningham |
Martin Luther |
Sr. |
Milwaukee, Wis./Wisconsin Lutheran |
| OL |
Christian Diederich |
Minnesota Morris |
So. |
Murdock, Minn./Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg |
| OL |
Derek Martinez-Delgado |
Greenville |
Jr. |
Orlando, Fla./Cypress Creek |
| OL |
Andrew Owczarzak |
Martin Luther |
Sr. |
Bay City, Mich./Michigan Lutheran Seminary |
| OL |
Ray Samuels |
Westminster |
Sr. |
San Diego, Calif./Chula Vista |
2021 UMAC All-Conference First Team Defense
| Pos. |
Name |
Team |
Yr. |
Hometown/High School |
| DL |
Adam Arrowsmith |
Martin Luther |
Sr. |
Bay City, Mich./Michigan Lutheran Seminary |
| DL |
Abel Bain |
Martin Luther |
Sr. |
Appleton, Wis./Luther Prep |
| DL |
Quis Icon |
Crown |
Jr. |
West Palm Beach, Fla./Forest Hill |
| DL#% |
Turjon McLaurin |
Greenville |
So. |
Stockton, Calif./Bear Creek |
| DL |
Carter Wattenhofer |
Minnesota Morris |
Sr. |
Litchfield, Minn./Litchfield |
| LB |
Lakari Benjamin |
Greenville |
Sr. |
Modesto, Calif./Gregori |
| LB |
Dawson Brandt |
Westminster |
Jr. |
Eldon, Mo./Eldon |
| LB |
Dewayne Garrett |
Greenville |
So. |
Goodwater, Ala./Clay Central |
| LB |
Noah Nordlie |
Martin Luther |
Sr. |
Lake Orion, Mich./Michigan Lutheran Seminary |
| LB |
Ben Riegsecker |
Martin Luther |
Sr. |
Lincoln, Neb./Nebraska Lutheran |
| DB |
Ben Arndt |
Martin Luther |
Sr. |
Rosemount, Minn./St. Croix Lutheran |
| DB |
Isaac Green |
Greenville |
Fy. |
Greenville, Ill./Greenville |
| DB |
Aiden Holien |
Martin Luther |
Sr. |
Watertown. S.D./Great Plains Lutheran |
| DB |
Hunter Infanger |
Minnesota Morris |
So. |
Osakis, Minn./Osakis |
| DB |
Greg Urbanc |
Greenville |
Sr. |
Edelstein, Ill./Princeville |
2021 UMAC All-Conference First Team Special Teams
| Pos. |
Name |
Team |
Yr. |
Hometown/High School |
| K^ |
Tim Branneky |
Westminster |
Sr. |
St. Louis, Mo./Lutheran North |
| KR |
Garrett Elison |
Minnesota Morris |
So. |
Jerome, Idaho/Jerome |
| P^ |
Tim Branneky |
Westminster |
Sr. |
St. Louis, Mo./Lutheran North |
| PR |
Paul Garrett |
Greenville |
Jr. |
Goodwater, Ala./Clay Central |
2021 UMAC All-Conference Second Team Offense
| Pos. |
Name |
Team |
Yr. |
Hometown/High School |
| QB |
Marcus Reeb |
Minnesota Morris |
So. |
Toronto, Ontario/Lyndon Institute |
| RB |
Blake Johnson |
Minnesota Morris |
Jr. |
Cokato, Minn./Dassel-Cokato |
| RB |
Joshuah Kren |
Martin Luther |
Sr. |
Waukesha, Wis./Wisconsin Lutheran |
| WR |
Mason Cox |
Martin Luther |
Fy. |
New Ulm, Minn./Minnesota Valley Lutheran |
| WR |
Cole Mistretta |
Crown |
Jr. |
Port St. Lucie, Fla./Centennial |
| WR |
Byron Owens |
Finlandia |
Fy. |
Dallas, Texas/Roosevelt |
| WR |
Terry Warner |
Crown |
Fy. |
Amite, La. |
| TE |
Seth Logan |
Greenville |
Sr. |
Tulare, Calif./Mission Oak |
| TE |
Mike Radue |
Martin Luther |
Sr. |
Waukesha, Wis./Wisconsin Lutheran |
| OL |
Cole Broekhuizen |
Martin Luther |
So. |
Birch Run, Mich./Michigan Lutheran Seminary |
| OL |
Thomas Dowell |
Greenville |
Fy. |
Cahokia, Ill./Cahokia |
| OL |
Sam Glaubitz |
Northwestern |
Sr. |
River Falls, Wis./River Falls |
| OL |
Demetrius O'Neal |
Westminster |
Sr. |
St. Louis, Mo./McCluer North |
| OL |
Jameson Wolanski |
Greenville |
Sr. |
Elsberry, Mo./Waldorf |
2021 UMAC All-Conference Second Team Defense
| Pos. |
Name |
Team |
Yr. |
Hometown/High School |
| DL |
Javiera Bovell |
Greenville |
Sr. |
Orange Park, Fla./Oakleaf |
| DL |
Dave Carlson |
Finlandia |
Sr. |
Newberry, Mich./Newberry |
| DL |
Carter Maurice |
Minnesota Morris |
Fy. |
Boissevain, Manitoba/Boissevain Collegiate |
| DL |
George Obitz |
Northwestern |
Sr. |
Florence, Ariz./Florence |
| DL |
Justin Scales |
Westminster |
Jr. |
St. Louis, Mo./Trinity Catholic |
| LB |
Alex Emmrich |
Minnesota Morris |
Fy. |
Rogers, Minn./Rogers |
| LB |
Brad Kulinski |
Northwestern |
Jr. |
Milwaukee, Wis./Martin Luther |
| LB |
Kejuan Sanders |
Finlandia |
So. |
Detroit, Mich./Community |
| LB |
Nic Schultz |
Northwestern |
Sr. |
Fontana, Calif./Etiwanda |
| LB |
McEwen Stapleton |
Finlandia |
Sr. |
Elberta, Mich. |
| DB |
Rudy Criner |
Crown |
Fy. |
San Antonio, Texas/Cornerstone Christian |
| DB |
Jacob Emley |
Northwestern |
Sr. |
St. Peter, Minn./St. Peter |
| DB |
Jon Holtz |
Martin Luther |
Fy. |
Appleton, Wis./Luther Prep |
| DB |
Luke Malamisuro |
Northwestern |
So. |
Cambridge, Minn./Cambridge-Isanti |
2021 UMAC All-Conference Second Team Special Teams
| Pos. |
Name |
Team |
Yr. |
Hometown/High School |
| K |
Alex Happ |
Minnesota Morris |
So. |
Brighton, Colo./Prairie View |
| KR |
Aiden Holien |
Martin Luther |
Sr. |
Watertown. S.D./Great Plains Lutheran |
| KR |
Bryon Owens |
Finlandia |
Fy. |
Dallas, Texas/Roosevelt |
| P |
Dylan Carns |
Greenville |
Fy. |
Pinckneyville, Ill./Pinckneyville |
| PR |
Aiden Holien |
Martin Luther |
Sr. |
Watertown. S.D./Great Plains Lutheran |
2021 UMAC Football All-Sportsmanship Awards
Team Award – Martin Luther
Crown – Josh Wallace, Fy., Corvallis, Mont.
Greenville – Greg Urbanc, Sr., Edelstein, Ill./Princeville
Finlandia – Joshua Eve, Sr., West Palm Beach, Fla./Forest Hill
Martin Luther – Kenton Fabian, Sr., Milwaukee, Wis./Wisconsin Lutheran
Minnesota Morris – Connor Oldenburg, Sr., Mapleton, Minn./Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton
Northwestern – Ethan Panchyshyn, Sr., Grand Rapids, Minn./Grand Rapids
Westminster – Tim Branneky, Sr., St. Louis, Mo./Lutheran North