Mid States

[Football] Buhake, Zitkus, Ciciura and Schmitt named first team all-MSFA

MSFA releaseA pair of defensive linemen and a pair of offensive linemen earned first team all-conference honors as the Mid-States Football Association announced its Midwest League awards.Bernard Buhake and Ryan Zitkus, both among the nation's leaders in sacks, were repeat selections to the all conference team, while Brian Ciciura and Jett Schmitt earned postseason recognition for the first time.The four Bees on the first team are the most for St. Ambrose since the 2016 team had five first-team selections.Sam Kerr was named to the all-Midwest League second team and Zak Alberts, Liam Kelly and Jaxson Nelson each earned all-conference honorable mention.Buhake, a second team choice in both 2018 and 2019, posted 16 tackles for loss and seven sacks, currently the third- and eighth-best marks in the NAIA, respectively. The senior from Arlington, Texas, finished his SAU career as the program's all-time leader in sacks with 19. He also is tied for fourth in school history with 33.5 tackles for loss.This season, Buhake registered 43 total tackles. He recovered a fumble and blocked a kick.Zitkus, a second team all-MSFA pick a season ago, recorded 5.5 sacks among his 12 tackles for loss. Both marks currently place him in the top 25 in the country. The senior from Bloomington, Ill., was credited with 33 total tackles this year and a fumble recovery he returned 27 yards for a touchdown in a win over St. Francis (Ill.). He was named the NAIA National Defensive Player of the Week on Apr. 5 after totaling five tackles for loss, including four sacks, in a second win over St. Francis.Zitkus wrapped up his St. Ambrose career 10th on the program's all-time list with 11.5 sacks. He also had 26.5 tackles for loss.Ciciura, a sophomore from Tinley Park, Ill., and Schmitt, a junior from Kickapoo, Ill., anchored the St. Ambrose offensive line. The two tackles paved the way for a rushing offense that averaged better than 157 yards per game on the ground. Two Bee running backs finished sixth and seventh in the MSFA Midwest League in rushing and two other backs had double-digit carries. Ciciura and Schmitt also protected three different quarterbacks, who each had multiple pass attempts.Kerr was named the second team tight end. The 6-5 junior caught 18 passes for 168 yards and one touchdown this season from his superback position.The three Bees to earn honorable mention all played on the defensive side of the ball. Alberts, a sophomore defensive back from Byron, Ill., finished with 58 total tackles. He intercepted a pair of passes and broke up seven. Kelly, a senior linebacker from Chicago, Ill., had 47 total tackles, including seven tackles for loss. He came down with two interceptions. Nelson, a senior linebacker from Decatur, Ill., earned honorable mention for the second straight season after leading the team with 68 total tackles. He finished with 5.5 tackles for loss and also picked off two passes.St. Ambrose finished the season 5-3 overall and 4-2 in the MSFA Midwest League.