November 16, 2006
USA South Announces All-Conference Football Awards
The Monarchs place four players on the first team

FAYETTEVILLE, NC-  The USA South released the 2006 All-Conference Teams on Thursday afternoon.  The Monarchs placed eight players on the first and second teams with three others named honorable mentions.  The team finished the 2006 season last Saturday with a win against Shenandoah to finish 4-6.

Senior Jonathan Northern (Wilmington, NC) was named to the first team for his play at noseguard for the second consecutive year.  Northern recorded 33 tackles this season including 9 for a loss of 21 yards.  A second team selection last season, junior Daryl Lawrence (Jacksonville, NC) was named a first team linebacker registering 66 tackles with a team-high 3 sacks.  Senior George Sands (Homestead, FL) received first team honors as a return specialist.  Sands had more than 500 yards on kick and punt returns including a 54 yard kick return against Guilford to open the season.  Senior kicker Patrick Larkin (Swansboro, NC) rounded out the first team for the Monarchs.  Larkin was 11-16 for field goals including a perfect 3-3 against Shenandoah on Saturday to give the Monarchs all the offense they would need to earn the 9-7 victory.

For the second consecutive year, junior Mike Hill (Angier, NC) has been named to the All-Conference second team.  Hill ran for more than 1,000 yards for the second year and and led the team with 11 touchdowns this season.  Senior Max Dinges (Lexington, NC) served as a stalwart on the offensive line providing leadership to a young line.  Dinges received second team honors for the second season.  Senior Blake Farrell (Pittsboro, NC) and sophomore Antwin Shuford (Statesville, NC) represented the Monarch defense on the second team.  Farrell made 62 tackles, a sack and two interceptions in his senior season while Shuford was right behind with 61 tackles, two interceptions and four broken up passes.

Receiving honorable mention accolades were wide receiver Patrick Doleman (Junior/Salisbury, NC), defensive tackle Sean Merritt (Senior/Chiefland, FL), and strong safety Chris Gauntlett (Senior/Tavares, FL).  Doleman led all receivers with 30 catches for 403 yards catapulting himself into the top 10 career receivers in Monarch history.  Merritt was a force on the front line with 19 tackles and 1.5 sacks.  Gauntlett led the defense in his senior season with 73 tackles and 2 interceptions for 54  yards.

For the complete conference awards visit: http://www.usasouth.net/news/06fballconf.htm