FREELAND, Mich.-- Ten members of the Trine football team have been named to the All-MIAA Teams, the conference announced Monday.
Thunder honorees were split evenly among the all-conference first and second teams. All-MIAA First Team award-winners included wide receiver Gage Corner (Leo, Ind./Leo), offensive lineman Dalton Raper (Richmond, Ind./Richmond), safety Michael Spears (Kendallville, Ind./East Noble), linebacker Taylor James (LaPorte, Ind./LaPorte) and kicker Mark Haydock (Fort Wayne, Ind./Snider). Second Team accolades were earned by running back Mark Wilson (Indianapolis, Ind./Lawrence Central), offensive lineman Derek Scott (Niles, Mich./Niles), defensive lineman Me'Leick Miles (Indianapolis, Ind./Pike), cornerback Marcus Winters (Toledo, Ohio/Central Catholic) and return specialist Jeffery Barnett (Fremont, Ohio/Fremont-Ross).
Corner's First Team recognition was the first of his career and his second career all-conference nod. The senior finished second in the MIAA with 965 receiving yards, with an MIAA-record 806 of those yards coming in conference play. Corner set a school-record with 69 receptions this season and became the school's all-time leader in receiving yards with 2,532 in his career. He finished his career as the school's record holder in catches per game and ranks and receptions. Corner also ranks third in team history with 14 career receiving touchdowns.
Raper anchored the Thunder offensive line to earn All-MIAA First Team honors for the second-consecutive season. The senior spent time at both left tackle and left guard this season. Raper continued a tradition of excellence along the offensive line at Trine, as the team has now produced an All-MIAA First Team member every season since 2008.
Spears earned the second all-conference honors of his career and made his first appearance on the All-MIAA First Team. The senior tied for seventh in the conference with 82 tackles overall, 59 of which came in conference play. Spears has been a significant contributor in the Thunder secondary over the past four years, finishing his career with 266 tackles- fifth most in team history. He has led the team in tackles each of the last two years.
James tied with Spears for seventh in the MIAA in tackles, following up an All-MIAA Second Team campaign last season with his first-career First Team selection. The junior made 58 of those stops in MIAA action, sixth-most in the league. James also racked up four tackles-for-loss, two sacks, forced a fumble, recovered a fumble and notched a pass break-up this season. He has finished second on the team in tackles each of the last two years.
Haydock provided a steady and consistent presence for the Trine special teams in the kicking game. The senior led the MIAA in field goals made with eight, including six in league action. No other kicker in the conference made more than three field goals in MIAA play. Haydock tied the school-record with four field goals in a victory over Hope. This is the fourth-straight season Trine has had its kicker named to the all-conference first team.
Wilson burst onto the scene with his first-career start coming in week seven and never looked back. The sophomore racked up 839 yards and 12 touchdowns on 147 carries despite making just four starts. Wilson totaled a school-record 327 of those yards in a victory over Albion, and totaled two of the top three rushing efforts in team history this year. The all-conference honor is the first of his career.
Scott joined Raper as another significant piece of the Thunder offensive line, with the majority of his snaps coming at the interior positions of guard and center. Scott's work was big in helping Trine grind out an average of 215 yards rushing per game. The All-MIAA honor is the first of the junior's career.
Miles excelled both as a member of the defense and special teams. The sophomore blocked a school-record five kicks, a mark that ranked second in the nation. Three of those blocks came in one game. Miles accumulated 47 tackles, including 6.5 for loss, and three sacks this season. He also forced a fumble and recovered another. The all-conference honor is the first of his career.
Winters led the Thunder and tied for third in the MIAA with four interceptions in his debut season. The freshman picked up 52 tackles, including 2.5 for loss. Winters also notched five pass break-ups. His debut included a pair of interceptions in his first career collegiate game as the Thunder earned a season-opening victory over Manchester. The all-conference nod is the first of his collegiate career.
Barnett rounded out the all-conference honorees with his selection as a return specialist. The freshman ranked 28th in the nation with a kickoff return average of 25.6 yards per return. He returned a kick 92 yards for a touchdown to spark a comeback win at Alma. Barnett also had a solid campaign at wide receiver, totaling 421 yards and a touchdown on 28 catches. His selection to the All-MIAA team is the first of his career.
Trine concluded the season 6-4 overall and with a 4-2 mark in conference action. The team has now produced five or more All-MIAA First Team selections in three of the last four seasons.
