Mid States

[Football] Jackson named Defensive Player of Year, one of three on all-MSFA first team

MSFA All-Midwest League TeamJeremiah Jackson Sr. was named the Mid-States Football Association (MSFA) Midwest League Defensive Player of the Year as the conference announced its postseason awards.He is the first defensive winner of the award in program history and the first Bee named an MSFA player of the year since quarterback Eric Williamson won the second of his two straight offensive awards following the 2013 campaign.Jackson, from Pensacola, Fla., was in the middle of everything for the Bees this season.The senior safety tied for the conference lead with five interceptions. He had two interceptions in SAU's season-opening win at Missouri Baptist, including one he returned 61 yards for a score. He forced three fumbles and recovered one. And he finished with a team-leading 83 tackles, nearly double the team's second-leading tacklers (Ryan Zitkus, Vybert Greene Jr., Jaxson Nelson had 42 apiece). He did this while the Bees played just a nine-game schedule this year.Two other members of the SAU defense joined Jackson on the all-MSFA Midwest League first team – Sam Kabureck and Dillon Valdez.Kabureck earned first team honors for the second consecutive year after a dominating senior season at defensive tackle. The O'Fallon, Ill., native recorded 28 total tackles, including 13 solo stops. He was also in on 2.5 tackles for loss and had half a sack.Valdez wrapped up his St. Ambrose career by recording 34 tackles from his linebacker spot. The senior from Wheaton, Ill., had 3.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and forced a fumble. He received all-MSFA honorable mention a year ago.Defensive ends Ryan Zitkus and Bernard Buhake were two of five Bees named second team all-conference.Along with finishing second on the team with 42 tackles, Zitkus led St. Ambrose with 10 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks. The senior from Bloomington, Ill., forced a pair of fumbles and recovered one.After missing the first three games of the year, Buhake came on strong to finish second behind Zitkus in both tackles for loss (eight) and sacks (4.5). The junior from Arlington, Texas, was credited with 37 total tackles.Junior cornerback Griffin Zajac, from Oswego, Ill., was named to the second team after coming up with four interceptions and breaking up a total of 14 passes. He was in on 37 tackles, including four behind the line of scrimmage.Two Bees on the offensive side of the ball also earned second team all-conference recognition.A starter since his freshman season, Zach Gadbury garnered all-conference accolades after each of his four seasons. The senior guard from Tolono, Ill., has been a model of consistency and was the team leader along the offensive line.Also named to the second team was senior wide receiver Vince Vignali. The Sherman, Ill., native caught 15 passes for 228 yards and three touchdowns, including the NAIA top play of the week on Nov. 7.Junior linebacker Jaxson Nelson (42 tackles, 6-5 TFL, 1 sack, 1 interception, 1 fumble recovery), sophomore linebacker Ethan Miebach (32 tackles, 4.5 TFL, 2 sacks, 1 fumble recovery) and junior running back Brandon Baalman (90 carries, 461 yards, 2 rushing touchdowns) all received all-MSFA honorable mention.St. Ambrose MSFA Players of the Year2019 – DB Jeremiah Jackson Sr.2013 – QB Eric Williamson2012 – QB Eric Williamson2010 – WR Michael Hayward2008 – WR Michael Hayward2007 – QB Jim DuPage2003 – RB Joe Schimmel2001 – RB Nathan Norman2000 – QB Josh Schmidt