Jan. 22, 2008
Philadelphia (Sports Network) - San Diego dominated the 2007 Sports Network Mid-Major and Independent All-America squad announced on Monday with a record 11 players claiming spots on the first and second teams. USD senior quarterback Josh Johnson, whose honors this season included winning MVP honors at the recent East-West Shrine All-Star game and finishing third in the Walter Payton Award balloting, headed up the San Diego contingent. Johnson, who accounted for 3,714 yards of total offense, 43 touchdown passes and only one interception, was one of four players to earn unanimous selection. Dayton quarterback Kevin Hoyng and tight end Matt Champa and Wagner place kicker Piotr Czech were also named on every ballot.
Czech was one of two players to be honored at two positions. He was the first-team punter, as well as the first-team kicker. Alfred Phillips of Wagner was named as a first-team cornerback and a second-team kickoff returner.
Johnson and Champa were also among the five players on the Mid-Major team that were also named to the Sports Network's FCS All-America squad earlier this month. Johnson was a third-team pick on the FCS team, while Champa was named to the first team.
Also receiving accolades on both teams were San Diego's Eric Bakhtiari and JT Rogan, and Morehead State's David Hyland. Rogan was the first-team kickoff returner on both squads, Bakhtiari was a first-team defensive end on both units and Morehead State David Hyland, a first-team pick at cornerback on the Mid-Major squad and a third-team cornerback on the FCS unit.
Joining Johnson, Bakhtiari and Rogan on the First Team from San Diego were senior WR Wes Doyle, senior center Jordan Paopao, senior offensive guard Gave DeAnda and junior offensive tackle Deene Kabiling. USD had five players named to the Second Team - junior WR John Matthews, senior linebacker Ronnie Pentz, junior defensive back Ben Hannula and senior kicker Hutch Parker.
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