STATESBORO, Ga. - Georgia Southern University held its annual postseason football banquet to honor the Eagle seniors Saturday night (January 16) in the Nessmith-Lane Building on the Georgia Southern University campus. Redshirt-freshman and defensive lineman Brent Russell was voted by the team as the 2009 Most Valuable Player. Senior offensive lineman Cole Fountain was honored with the prestigious Erk Russell Award, given by the coaching staff to the player who most exemplifies the character, morals, ethics, and actions of Coach Russell.
Russell was presented with his numerous national and all-conference awards, receiving eight in total. The FCS Freshman of the Year as named by the College Sporting News (CSN), Russell played nearly every snap at either defensive end or defensive tackle in 2009. He was named to the All-Southern Conference first and second team by the SoCon Sports Media Association and Coaches, respectively and to the league's 'All-Freshman' Team. A member of CSN's 'Fabulous Fifty,' Russell was also selected as the Defensive Freshman of the Year by SouthernPigskin.com. The website also named Russell to its All-SoCon Defensive unit.
Fountain, Dion DuBose, Lee Chapple and Harland Bower were the four 2009 players voted as captains by their teammates in the preseason. The team voted for the men who would represent the image and traditions of Eagle Football. The four were honored with Captains Awards for their service in that role.
Other individuals recognized during the evening included defensive lineman Markeith Wylie who earned All-Southern Conference Second Team honors and three additional freshmen, Patrick Barker, Darius Eubanks, and Jamere Valentine, who all earned SoCon 'All-Freshman Team' accolades.
For their performances in individual games, kicker Adrian Mora and wide receiver Jamere Valentine received their SoCon 'Player of the Week' Awards. Mora won the Special Teams award for the October 3rd game at Wofford when he kicked the two longest field goals of his career and converted both attempts in the Eagles' 26-21 win. Valentine was picked as the SoCon 'Freshman of the Week' in the season-opening 29-26 win over the Albany Great Danes. Valentine caught six passes for a game-high 79 yards and two second-half touchdowns.
Nineteen seniors were presented with their home blue Georgia Southern jersey framed with an action shot and image of Paulson Stadium: James Arowoselu, Chris Ashkouti, Josh Barker, Terrione Benefield, Kerry Bonds, Harland Bower, Charwel Brown, Chris Burnette, Kyle Collins, Trey Dunmon, Cole Fountain, David Lewis, Jonathan Loving, Darrell Pasco, Garryon Taylor, Joe Turner, Ronnie Wiggins, Brandon Wilcher and Markeith Wylie.
Former Eagle great Terry Harvin served as the master of ceremonies for the event which included remarks from new Georgia Southern President Brooks A. Keel, Director of Athletics Sam Baker and new Eagles Football Coach Jeff Monken.
