And both were named to the First Team All-CIAA team on Wednesday.
Fayetteville State linebacker Jeremy Cunningham (Sr., Casa Grande, AZ) and strong safety Andre Lyles (Jr., Ahoskie, NC) were two of five Broncos players recognized by the CIAA for their season-long accomplishments.
Cunningham led the league in tackles from wire-to-wire, racking up 13 tackles in the season-opener against N.C. Pembroke before an 18-tackle performance against Elizabeth City State on Sept. 18. He finished the season as the only CIAA defender with more than 100 tackles, with 107, and added 11 tackles for loss, two sacks and four fumble recoveries.
Lyles was the Broncos’ second leading tackler, with 70. That included 6.0 tackles for loss and 24 pass breakups. But the big number was for his league-leading six interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns of 31 and 78 yards in the season finale against Virginia Union on Nov. 6.
“That’s a big thing for Andre,” said Phillips. “For him to go from where nobody really knew anything about him to work himself onto the First Team, that just shows you how hard Andre has worked and how impressive he was this season. We always say to make First Team, you have to make plays, and he made plays.”
The Broncos had three players on the Second Team, including center Dillon Kestner (Sr., Durham, NC), who was a preseason All-CIAA selection along with teammate, guard Larry McDonald (Jr., Mebane, NC), who was also named to the 2010 Second Team All-CIAA on Wednesday.
“I thought Dillon had the chance to be a First-Teamer, but will the number of running backs that had 1,000-yard seasons this year, that was going to be tough,” Phillips said. “But he did a great job and worked very hard. To be recognized as an all-conference player in your senior year is always big.”
Phillips said he is looking forward to having McDonald back next season. McDonald has started since he was a freshman.
“I think his best football is still ahead of him,” Phillips said. “I figure he’ll be a First Team All-CIAA guy going into next year. He is one of the best offensive linemen in the league.”
Kicker Austin Turner (Jr., San Diego, CA), the 2009 CIAA Special Teams Player of the Year, was named Second Team All-CIAA in 2010 after connecting on 8 of 16 field goals, four of which were attempted at 50 yards or more, and 38 of 40 point-after tries. Turner also recorded six touchbacks.
Turner’s field goal numbers may have been affected by Fayetteville State’s success in the red zone. The Broncos led the CIAA in red zone offense, and scored touchdowns in 64 percent of their trips inside the opponents’ 20-yard line.
“This season, he just didn’t have as many field goal opportunities,” said Phillips. “It’s really hard to repeat as a special teams player of the year, and he was able to come back and still show what kind of player he is. He’s one of the best kickers in the league, and this says a lot for him.”
St. Augustine’s running back Walter Sanders was named as the CIAA Offensive Player of the Year. Sanders led the conference in rushing with 1,377 yards on 277 carries and 15 touchdowns. Sanders is also tied for second in CIAA scoring (90 points), is second in all-purpose yards (1,461) and ranks ninth in the conference in total offense.
Elizabeth City State’s Malcolm Jenkins is the league’s Defensive Player of the Year after leading the CIAA with 13 sacks (12 solo) while ranking first for tackles for loss (14 solo/9 assisted). Jenkins is also responsible for four fumble recoveries this season.
Virginia State University's Justin Parker is the CIAA Special Teams Player of the Year. He tops the CIAA’s field goal category, finishing 8-for-8 with a long of 40 yards. Parker also ranks second in PAT kicking after hitting 32 of 34 for a 94 percent success rate.
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