BUENA VISTA, Va. – Coaches from the 10 independent football teams in the NAIA have announced a 2008 preseason all-independent team. The team is headlined by first-team NAIA All-American Jon Davis, a receiver from Azusa Pacific who finished the 2007 season with 1,258 receiving yards and an NAIA-leading 21 touchdowns.

First and second teams were named for offense, defense and special teams. Southern Oregon led the way with 12 honorees and was followed by Southern Virginia with 10, Webber International with eight and Azusa Pacific and Peru State with six apiece. Southern Virginia, Azusa Pacific and Southern Oregon had 6 first-honorees apiece while Webber International had 4.

Southern Virginia’s Luke Taylor earned first team honors at quarterback after finishing the 2007 season with 3,292 yards and 31 touchdown passes. Trentonio Stewart (Edward Waters) and Taylor Atwood (Webber International) make up the backfield on the first team after rushing for 970 yards and 873 yards in 2007, respectively.

Marc Hadfield of Southern Virginia and Darryl Price of Southern Oregon join Davis, the only consensus selection, at receiver with Brian Harding of Southern Oregon filling the tight end spot. The first-team offensive lineman include Southern Virginia’s Tyler Card and Ben Burningham, Ben Winslow from Azusa Pacific, Braxton Blitch from Webber International and Jordan Myers from Southern Oregon.

Defensive linemen Michael Frazier from Webber International and Anthony Scolamieri from Southern Oregon headline the first-team defensive unit. Frazier finished third in tackles for loss and fifth in sacks in the NAIA in 2007 while Scolamieri was a Victory Sports Network honorable mention All-American and finished with 11 tackles for loss. Also on the defensive line are Darrell Tupuola and Kenny Simmons from Azusa Pacific.

Cougar senior Travis Bengard leads the linebackers on the first-team after totaling 83 tackles in 2007. Waldorf’s Nate Lidtke (15.5 tackles for loss), Webber International’s Kyle Kennard and Willie Mitchell from Southwestern Assemblies of God (92 tackles in 2007) join Bengard as first-team linebackers.

Shea Owens, a second-team all-state honoree from Southern Virginia in 2007, leads the defensive backs on the first team. He had 115 tackles and 11.5 tackles for loss in 2007. Danson Cappo of Southern Oregon (four interceptions), Ryan Muhlman of Southwest Assemblies of God (six interceptions) and Devin Huch of Southern Virginia (three interceptions) round of the first-team defense.

Azusa Pacific kicker Ben Hansen highlights the special teams unit. In 2007 he was nearly perfect on field goals, hitting 16-of-17, while averaging 59.5 yards per kickoff. Southern Oregon’s Steve Palmer (40.4 yards per punt) is the punter on the first team while Quentin Haynes from Haskell Indian Nations and Zak Martinez from Southwestern Assemblies of God are the return specialists.

Click on “Box Score” above to view the entire list of the 2008 preseason all-independent team.