The Cactus Bowl, which is an All-Star game featuring NCAA Division II senior football players, will be played once again this year at Javalina Stadium in Kingsville, Texas, on the campus of Texas A&M University-Kingsville. Kickoff for the 2011 game is set for 7 p.m. CST.
It marks the third straight year and the seventh time since 1999 that Tech has had at one player invited to play in the Cactus Bowl. Last year, quarterback Nick Graziano, receiver Frantz Simeon and center Torrence Wright all played in the 2010 Cactus Bowl. In 2009, former Wonder Boy offensive lineman Jeremy Ashcraft played in the Cactus Bowl and was named the game’s Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman. Other Wonder Boys who have participated in the Cactus Bowl are Bailey Dickson (2006), Kyle Jackson (2005), Jonathan Hayes (2004), Tommy Edwards (2003), Todd Mathews (1999) and D.J. Crane (1999).
Charles was one of 12 players from the Gulf South Conference selected to participate in this year’s Cactus Bowl. The other GSC players selected were Arkansas-Monticello linebacker Carlton Johnson, Delta State running back Trevar Deed, Delta State receiver L.J. Castile, Henderson State linebacker Steve Butrick, North Alabama defensive back Chad Daniel, North Alabama defensive lineman Courtney Harris, North Alabama defensive lineman Steven Wesley, Ouachita Baptist defensive lineman Bryan Church, Valdosta State linebacker Larry Dean and West Georgia cornerback Ken Hale.
“What at nice honor for Antonio to be selected to play in this prestigious all-star football game,” Tech Head Football Coach and Athletic Director Steve Mullins said.
Charles earned his Cactus Bowl selection after playing in and starting all 11 games at defensive back this past season for the Wonder Boys. On the season, Charles, who was named a First-Team All-GSC selection and a Second-Team Daktronics All-Super Region Two honoree, led Tech with 87 total tackles, including 57 solo stops in 11 games. The 87 tackles was sixth-best in the GSC. Along with his 87 tackles, Charles had 8.5 tackles for 58 yards in losses and two sacks. He also recorded two interceptions, broke up four passes, had three quarterback hurries and blocked a punt that led to a touchdown in Tech’s season opening win over Lambuth. In his two-year career at Tech, Charles, who was a transfer from Fort Scott Community College, recorded 132 total tackles, including 75 solo stops and had 16.0 tackles for loss, 2.5 career sacks, two interceptions, seven career pass break-ups and two fumble recoveries.
The Cactus Bowl is an all-star game featuring NCAA Division II senior football players and the proceeds from the game will once again go to the Shiners Hospital for Children. The Cactus Bowl has been played in Kingsville, Texas, since 2001. It previously was called the Snow Bowl and played in Fargo, N.D. Since the game’s inception in 1994, there have been over 100 players that have been signed by NFL teams after playing in the Cactus Bowl.
Among this year’s 88 selections include seven Harlon Hill Trophy regional finalists, including the three national finalists, which are all quarterbacks (Northwest Missouri State’s Blake Bolles, West Liberty’s Zach Amedro and Central Missouri’s Eric Czerniewski).
For more information on the 2010 Cactus Bowl, visit the internet at http://www.cactusbowl.org.
No comments:
Post a Comment