GPAC

[Football] Celestine Named to Preseason Football Honor

Doane Football senior Izaiah Celestine (SR/Stockton, Calif.) has been recognized by College Football America (CFA) in their preseason yearbook for 2020. An all-conference punt returner in 2019 for the Tigers, Celestine was named to the CFA Yearbook's NAIA Preseason Starting Line-up as the top punt returner.A year ago for Doane, Celestine had 17 punt returns for 283 yards, an average of 16.6 yards per return. He had an 82-yard punt return for a touchdown in a win against Hastings. Celestine led the way in kickoff returns with 16 for 257 yards, averaging 16.1 yards per return. He added a team-high 26 receptions for 556 yards, 21.4 per reception, and scored five touchdowns, half of the team's season total."Izaiah impacts games," Doane Football Head Coach Chris Bessler said. "He's an explosive athlete with great vision and acceleration. Izaiah is fearless and a willing team player."Doane will kick off the season at home on September 12 at 6 PM when they play host to rival, Concordia, in Crete. The Tigers and Bulldogs opened the conference slate a year ago in Seward with Doane coming from behind for a 17-10 win.The Great Plains Athletic Conference was well represented on the NAIA Preseason Starting LIne-up with seven players named. Joining Celestine were Briar Cliff's Kory Woodruff (OL) and Robert Robinson (DL), Concordia's Lane Napier (LB), Midland's Austin Harris (TE), and Morningside's Joe Dolincheck (QB) and AP Ponder (RB).