West Mifflin grad key player in PSAC
Tri-State Sports & News Service
Marcus Martin enters his senior year at Slippery Rock University with a chance to add a few more honors to his already long list of accomplishments.
Martin, a West Mifflin graduate who has made 37 consecutive starts for The Rock, has a chance to become the first player in PSAC history to earn four Player of the Year awards. He was PSAC West Freshman of the Year in 2014, and Defensive Player of the Year the past two years.
The only other players in PSAC history to be recognized as Player of the Year three times are California’s Rontez Miles, who graduated in 2012, and Slippery Rock’s Randy McKavish, a 2000 graduate.
Martin (6-3, 245) ranks sixth in NCAA Division II history with 40.5 career sacks. The record (46.5) is held by McKendree’s Lucky Bear in 2016.
Martin, a defensive end, also ranks ninth in Division II history with 66 tackles for a loss. The record (77) was set by North Greenville’s Andre Bernardi in 2009.
“Marcus is absolutely dominant,” Slippery Rock coach Shawn Lutz said. “He’s constantly working to get better. He’s a legitimate NFL prospect. I’m not saying he’s going to be a high-round draft pick. But I promise you this: He can be drafted in the middle rounds.”
The PSAC has honored its top players on all-conference teams since 1951. Only seven players have been voted to a PSAC first team four times: Brandon Brown-Dukes, Mercyhurst (2015); Franklyn Quiteh, Bloomsburg (2013); Mike Washington, West Chester (2008); Jim Terwilliger, East Stroudsburg (2006); Tim McCutcheon, California (2007); Mark Brubaker, East Stroudsburg (2004); and Rob Carey, Lock Haven (2003). Martin, a three-time first-team selection, can become the eighth to be recognized four times.
• IUP has two defensive linemen who have received first-team PSAC West honors. Jemal Averette (6-2, 288, Sr.) is a two-time PSAC honoree, first team as a sophomore and second team last year. In two years, he has 76 tackles and 6.5 sacks. Deandre Easterling (6-1, 225, Jr.) was PSAC first team last season after recording 32 tackles, 8.0 tackles for a loss, and 6.5 sacks.
• California’s Vondel Bell (6-4, 195, Sr.) was voted to the PSAC second team after recording 35 solo tackles and two interceptions last year
• IUP’s Jay Watkins (510, 190, Sr.) is a two-time PSAC West second-team selection. He led the PSAC with seven interceptions. He also had 49 tackles, including 31 solo. He has made 29 career starts.
• Edinboro’s Zuril Hendrick (5-11, 179, Jr.) picked off five passes and returned one for a touchdown. He also had 48 tackles, including 32 solo hits.
Running backs
• IUP has two running
• IUP’s Lenny Williams (5-11, 202, Jr.), a Sto-Rox graduate, is a two-time Harlon Hill Award nominee and two-time PSAC second-team selection. In two seasons, he has rushed for 1,823 yards and 24 touchdowns, and thrown for 3,381 yards and 23 touchdowns.
• California’s Michael Kerr (6-2, 215, Sr.) threw for 3,222 yards and set a singleseason school record with 41 touchdown passes last season. He ranked second in the PSAC with a 64.0 completion percentage and earned PSAC first team.
• Edinboro’s Jake Sisson (6-0, 214, Sr.) led the PSAC with 294 completions, 531 attempts and 3,710 yards, and tied for first with 41 touchdowns last season. His career totals are: 487 of 876 for 5,900 yards and 58 touchdowns.
• California’s Taylor Nikithser (6-4, 285, Sr.), a North Allegheny graduate, is a two-time PSAC West honoree, second team as a sophomore and first team last year. He has made 25 career starts at center.
• Clarion’s Zach Morris (6-0, 290, Jr.), an Upper St. Clair graduate, was voted to the PSAC first team at left guard last year.
• Slippery Rock’s Steve Gaviglia (6-2, 285, Jr.), a Seneca Valley graduate, was voted to the PSAC West second team at tackle. He started 10 games for an offense that averaged 35.5 points per game.