Nov. 21, 2006

McNeese State's conference champions dominate the 2006 all-Southland Conference football team announced today by the league office.

Steven Whitehead was named player of the year, Bryan Smith was named defensive player of the year, Derrick Fourroux freshman of the year and Matt Viator coach of the year.

Whitehead, who has been nationally ranked in kick returns and all-purpose running throughout the year, was named to the all-SLC first team as both wide receiver and kick returner and Smith, a national leader in both sacks and tackles for a loss, was named to the team as a defensive lineman.

Fourroux started all 11 regular season games for the Cowboys in his first year of collegiate action.

And, Viator took over the McNeese head position four games deep into the season and led the squad to a 6-1 record, to the SLC title, back into the national polls and into the Division I championship.

Matt Viator is SLC Coach of the Year

Other Cowboys selected to the first team were wide receiver Carlese Franklin, offensive lineman Brent Pousson, place kicker Blake Bercegeay, defensive end Kirby Joseh and defensive back Jamelle Juneau.

McNeese's second team selections were offensive lineman Eman Naghavi, linebacker Trey Bennett and defensive back Jonathan Walker.

Cowboys receiving an honorable mention on the squad were running back Jamie Leonard, wide receiver Quinten Lawrence, defensive lineman Robert Hooker, linebacker Allen Nelson and defensive backs Stephen Barrett and Lawrence Darby.

The only special awards not taken by the Cowboys were the offensive player of the year which went to Sam Houston State running back D. D. Terry and newcomer of the year that went to Nicholls State's Kareem Moore. McNeese, which is 7-4 on the season, plays a first round game in the Division I championship Saturday at Montana.