 Portis
candidate for Hill Trophy
California University senior quarterback Josh
Portis was announced as a Super Regional One finalist Friday
for the 2010 Harlon Hill Trophy, awarded annually to the NCAA
Division II College Football Player of the Year.
Joining Portis
as finalists in Super Regional One are senior quarterback
Zach Amedro of West Liberty, senior linebacker Matthew Freed
of East Stroudsburg, sophomore quarterback Kevin Morton of
Kutztown, freshman running back Franklyn Quiteh of Bloomsburg
and senior running back Walter Saunders of Saint Augustine's
(N.C.).
Portis has helped
lead the Vulcans to a No. 10 national ranking in the latest
American Football Coaches Association Coaches' Poll and a
share of a sixth straight PSAC West title.
The 6-4 senior
ranks second in the 16-team conference with a 62.3 completion
percentage (165-of-265) and 156.7 passing efficiency —
both career highs. Portis also is among the league leaders
with 214.1 passing yards per game and 222.3 yards of total
offense per game. He is the first quarterback in school history
to pass for at least 25 touchdowns twice in a career.
Senior
quarterback Josh Portis set the all-time school record with
69 passing touchdowns to surpass the previous mark of 67 set
by Joe Ruggiero (2004-07). In only two years with the program,
Portis finished his career also ranked fourth with 6,072 passing
yards and posted the top two single-season touchdown performances
(36, 33).
Portis is the 13th
different Cal U player named a candidate for the Harlon Hill
Trophy since 1987. The Vulcans lead all PSAC teams with 13
different standouts regionally qualifying for the trophy.
Players are nominated
and voted on by the sports information directors at the 148
NCAA Division II football-playing institutions. The 24 initial
candidates will be placed on regional ballots and the top
two players from each of the four NCAA regions will advance
to the national ballot when regional voting concludes on Nov.
18.
The winner of the
2010 award will be announced at the 25th-annual Harlon Hill
Trophy presentation banquet Dec. 17 at the Florence Conference
Center.
 Portis
named to All-PSAC West team
California University's
football team has been dominating the All-PSAC West team in
recent years.
It happened again this season.
Ten Vulcans were named to the first team with defensive lineman
Darnell Harding, of McKeesport, being Cal's second straight
Freshman of the Year.
Defensive back Rontez Miles was last year's top newcomer.
Harding had a team-leading five quarterback sacks and 25 tackles,
including nine for losses, and one interception.
California players on the first team are senior quarterback
Josh Portis, sophomore running back Lamont Smith, sophomore
tight end Blake Williamson, senior wide receiver Terrance
Moore and senior lineman Dan Jordan from the offense; senior
lineman Sam Fikaris, junior linebacker Brett Diamond, junior
defensive back Erik Harris and Miles from the defense; and
senior punter Derek Fiorenza.
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