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ROCK HILL, S.C. – Carson-Newman College, which won its 18th South Atlantic Conference regular season championship, and Catawba College, making its fifth trip to the NCAA Tournament in the last six years, led the way in the 2004 SAC All-Conference Team awards, announced today by the league office.

In a season of parity on the football field, which included a four-way tie for second place in the league standings, the All-Conference representatives were equally balanced, with Catawba leading the way with 11 total representatives, while every other team had between five and eight representatives. Carson-Newman had a leaguehigh six members on the First Team.

Carson-Newman quarterback Shane Kelley, who led the SAC in pass efficiency and averaged 150 yards passing and 76 yards rushing per game, was named the Offensive Player of the Year.

Lenoir-Rhyne College junior linebacker Tim Clarke, who led the conference with 125 total tackles to go along with seven sacks, was named the SAC’s Defensive Player of the Year.

Mars Hill running back George Washington, who led the Lions with 845 yards rushing, and Presbyterian defensive end Sherman Burnett, who registered 10.5 tackles for loss and six sacks, were named the league’s Offensive and Defensive Freshmen of the Year, respectively.

Wingate University’s Joe Reich, who guided the Bulldogs to one of their best finishes in school history, was named the SAC’s Coach of the Year.

Carson-Newman offensive lineman Reggie Perkins, a First Team All-Conference selection who is a key member of the offensive line which averaged 344 yards rushing per game, received the Jacobs Blocking Trophy.

Kelley and Perkins were two of six Eagles named to the All-Conference First Team. Carson-Newman’s other First Team representatives were running back Rayvon Howard, tight end Leonard Weaver, offensive lineman Caleb Crothers and defensive lineman Quincy Brown.

Catawba placed three representatives on the First Team – offensive lineman Daniel Lynch, defensive lineman Kolby Fisher and linebacker SaMario Houston. The Indians had a league-high eight representatives on the Second Team, with seven from the offensive side.

Tusculum College placed eight total on the All-Star squad, with four earning First Team honors – offensive lineman Mario Leon, defensive lineman Lebron Johnson, defensive back Ra’Shun Judge and punter Cory Newton.

Mars Hill College had seven total representatives, with five named to the First Team. Earning First Team honors for the Lions were wide receiver Rod Dewalt, running back Antione Jones, offensive lineman Prince Floyd, linebacker Colby Simmons, and defensive back JaQuan Winston.

Newberry College also had seven All-Conference selections, with four on the First Team – wide receiver Tymere Zimmerman, defensive lineman Tony Ransom, linebacker Terrance Leverett and defensive back Jonathan Lyles.

Lenoir-Rhyne’s Clarke was one of six Bears to be honored, with four chosen to the First Team. Joining Clarke on the First Team from Lenoir-Rhyne are running back Andrew Tudor, who led the conference in rushing with 1,181 yards; kicker Andrew Coln; and return specialist Christopher Winford.

Presbyterian also placed six members on the list, with wide receiver Tim Pope and defensive back Quasi Gary both named First Team.

Wingate had five representatives, with long snapper Tony Tofanelli selected to the First Team.

The head coaches in the conference select the All-Conference teams. A complete list of the 2004 South Atlantic All-Conference Team follows: