Morningside lands 14 players on football all-conference

SIOUX CITY, Iowa – Fourteen Mustangs received all-conference football honors, highlighted by Lonell Boyd Jr. being named GPAC Defensive Player of the Year, announced by the conference Wednesday morning.

Boyd Jr., a redshirt-junior from St. Louis, Missouri, earned the GPAC Defensive Player of the Year award and was named to the first team all-conference defense. He totaled 89 tackles, five interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), and two forced fumbles in 11 games this season. He also totaled nine tackles for a loss, three pass breakups and two blocked kicks. He has 10 career interceptions and his 276 return yards is fifth all-time.

Joining Boyd Jr. on the first team defense is fellow defensive back Malik Hampton (R-Fr., Wildwood, Mo.) and linebacker Isaac Pingel (R-Jr., Spencer, Iowa). Hampton totaled 57 tackles, two interceptions, three forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery this season. Isaac Pingel racked up 106 tackles, six sacks, an interception return for a touchdown, and a forced fumble. 

On the other side of the ball, two Mustangs earned first team honors on offense. Wide receiver Zach Norton (R-Jr., Sioux Falls, S.D.) and offensive lineman Riley Lindberg (Sr., Fremont, Neb.) earned first team honors. Norton racked up 878 yards receiving and nine touchdowns this season. Lindberg helped anchor an offensive lineman that rushed for 198.2 (5.1 yards per carry) yards per game as a team. 

Morningside had one special teams player on the first team. KJ Williams (R-Jr., North Liberty, Iowa) earned the honor as a kick returner. Williams totaled 491 return yards for an average 30.7 yards per return.

On second team offense, running back Ryan Cole (Jr., Plymouth, Iowa) was named the team based on 407 yards rushing in seven games. Jack Sievert (R-Jr., St. Ansgar, Iowa) was a second team tight end after totaling 10 catches for 87 yards. Jack James (So., Omaha, Neb.) joins Riley Lindberg as offensive lineman on the all-conference list.

On defense, defensive backs Jamal Jones (Sr., Adelanto, Calif.) and Dijion Walls (Sr., Hazelwood, Mo.) earned second team honors. Jones totaled 30 tackles and an interception. Walls recorded 30 tackles and five interceptions this season.

Laken Harnly (Sr., Bellevue, Neb.) was a second team special teams player this season as a punt returner. 

Colton Dreith (R-Jr., Storm Lake, Iowa) was named an honorable mention for his play on the defensive line and Landry Phipps (R-So., Aubrey, Texas was named an honorable mention as a linebacker.