Nov. 27, 2008
(San Diego, CA) - University of San Diego senior wide receiver John Matthews (Littleton, CO), a Walter Payton Award candidate, has been named the 2008 Pioneer Football League Offensive Player of the Year. Matthews led the Toreros to a 9-2 overall record (6-2 in PFL; t-2nd) by leading the nation in five receiving categories - receptions (102), receiving yards (1,478), receiving touchdowns (21), receptions per game (9.27) and receiving yards per game (134.36). He was a unanimous pick and was joined on the PFL First Team by senior tight end Mitch Ryan (Jackson, CA), junior quarterback Sebastian Trujillo (Durango, CO), senior offensive tackle Deene Kabiling (San Diego, CA), junior linebacker Derek Marten (Clovis, CA) and junior defensive back Gabriel Derricks (Oak Park, CA). In his first year at quarterback, Trujillo completed 239-of-358 passes (66%) for 2,822 yards and 35 touchdowns. The 35 scoring strikes is the 3rd all-time best mark in Torero history.
Freshman defensive back Al-Rilwan Adeyemi (Santa Monica, CA) was named the PFL Freshman Defensive Player of the Year. Adeyemi paced the Toreros with 5 interceptions and returned two of them for touchdowns. A quartet of Toreros were named to the PFL Second Team - senior defensive tackle Chris Gianelli (Rancho Palos Verdes, CA), senior center Conrad Smith (Long Beach, CA), freshman defensive back Al-Rilwan Adeyemi (Santa Monica, CA) and freshman running back Phil Morelli (Denver, CO).
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Seven Toreros earned All-PFL Honorable Mention recognition - senior wide receiver Ben Hannula (Tacoma, WA), senior full back Vincent Atofau (Hawthorne, CA), freshman running back Matt Jelmini (Fresno, CA), sophomore offensive lineman Patrick Calahan (Mission Viejo, CA), freshman linebacker Loka Kanongataa (Bellevue, WA), freshman punter Kyle Negrete (Fresno, CA) and freshman return specialist Taylor Wright (Santa Monica, CA).
Jacksonville's Kerwin Bell, who led his squad to the PFL title with a 7-1 league mark, was named the PFL Coach of the Year. Dayton's Scott Vossler was tabbed the PFL Defensive Player of the Year, and Jacksonville's Josh McGregor was named the PFL Freshman Offensive Player of the Year.
