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[December 15, 2006]
Caldwell is one of 10 collegiate football players selected to represent their universities as Players of the Year, and one of 24 individuals to be recognized at the banquet. Running back D.D. Holyfield was the Mulerider honoree at last year’s banquet, while former SAU linebacker Keenan Washington was SAU’s award-winner in 2004. Caldwell, a 6-2, 185-pound senior from Bastrop, La., via Mississippi Delta College, was a First Team All-Gulf South Conference selection the past two seasons. He shared the team lead this year with four interceptions and seven pass breakups. Caldwell finished with 32 tackles on the year, 23 solo, including one for a one-yard loss, and forced a fumble and blocked one kick. He also served as a return specialist, returning one punt for nine yards, and had 10 kickoff returns for a 24.0 average, including an 86-yard opening kickoff return against Ouachita Baptist for which he was named the GSC’s Special Teams Player of the Week. Arkansas running back Darren McFadden will take home four of the Little Rock Touchdown Club’s awards, including Player of the Year for the Razorbacks. Other state collegiate Players of the Year include punter Anthony Rodriguez of Arkansas-Monticello, receiver Mark Caldwell from Arkansas Tech, defensive back Robert Towns of Harding, quarterback Garrett Manning from Henderson State, receiver Bruce Steele of Ouachita Baptist, defensive end Jacob Ford from Central Arkansas, quarterback Chris Wallace of Arkansas-Pine Bluff, and running back Reggie Arnold from Arkansas State. High school Players of the Year are offensive lineman Lee Ziemba of Rogers in class 7A, running back Dennis Johnson from Arkansas High (Texarkana) in class 6A, running back Derek Lawson of Nettleton in class 5A, quarterback A.J. Whitmore from Nashville in class 4A, quarterback Austin Tucker of Shiloh Christian (Springdale) in class 3A, and running back Lonnel Fort from Jessieville in class 2A. High school Coaches of the Year to be honored are Ronnie Peacock of Rogers in class 7A, former Mulerider Shane Patrick from Mountain Home in class 6A, Kevin Kelley of Pulaski Academy in class 5A, Steve Janski from Heber Springs in class 4A, Josh Floyd of Shiloh Christian in class 3A, and Don Phillips from Jessieville in class 2A. McFadden will receive the LRTC’s National Player of the Year honor, as well as the Southeastern Conference Player of the Year, and the SEC Offensive Player of the Year. Others to be honored are linebacker Patrick Willis of Ole Miss as SEC Defensive Player of the Year, and Coach Houston Nutt from Arkansas as SEC Coach of the Year. In addition, the club will present the first-ever Paul Eels Award for perseverance, determination, courage, and resolve to Razorback receiver/quarterback Robert Johnson. The annual banquet starts at 7 p.m., with individual tickets selling for $25, and $250 for a table of 10. Player and coaches bios and other banquet and ticket information can be found at the club’s website: www.lrtouchdown.com. #SAU# |
