Central Missouri quarterback Eric Czerniewski was selected as the MIAA Offensive Player of the Year after leading the league in passing with 4,150 yards (377.3 ypg) and 34 touchdowns. The senior from Montgomery City, Mo., also led the conference in total offense with 4,131 yards (375.5 ypg). He set the MIAA records for career passing yards (11,790), career total offense (11,906) and single-season passing yards (4,150). Czerniewski was also an All-MIAA First Team selection.
Â
Northwest Missouri defensive back Ryan Jones was named the MIAA Defensive Player of the Year after a season in which he led the league with six interceptions, two returned for touchdowns, and finished tops in the conference in passes defended with 15. The senior from Liberty, Mo., was also a unanimous All-MIAA First Team selection, the second consecutive season he has earned a spot on the first team.
Â
Washburn kicker Steve Ivanisevic is the MIAA Special Teams Player of the Year after leading the conference in field goals made (15), field goal percentage (88.2) and PAT kicking percentage (100.0). The senior from Darien, Ill., also finished third in the MIAA in scoring with 89 points. Ivanisevic was a unanimous pick for All-MIAA First Team as well.
Â
Pittsburg State linebacker Nate Dreiling was voted the MIAA Freshman of the Year after leading the league in tackles with 144 (13.1 per game) and tackles for loss with 20. The Hutchinson, Kan., product was also selected All-MIAA Second Team.
Â
Northwest Missouri head coach Mel Tjeerdsma was named the MIAA Coach of the Year for the fifth consecutive season and 12th time overall after guiding the Bearcats to their fifth straight undefeated conference season and MIAA title. Northwest is currently on a 46-game conference winning streak, the longest streak in MIAA history.
Â
Central Missouri had the second-most first team selections with five, followed by Washburn with three, Missouri Western and Nebraska-Omaha with two apiece and Emporia State, Fort Hays State, Missouri Southern, Pittsburg State and Truman with one each.
Â
Northwest Missouri earned the No. 3 seed, Central Missouri was awarded the No. 4 seed, and Missouri Western received the No. 6 seed in Super Region Four for the 2010 NCAA Division II Playoffs. The Bearcats and Griffons will face off in the first round Saturday at noon CT in Maryville, while the Mules will host No. 5 seed West Texas A&M Saturday at 1 p.m. CT in Warrensburg.
Â
Washburn will take on Midwestern State of the Lone Star Conference in the Kanza Bowl Dec. 4 in Topeka, Kan., and Pittsburg State will play Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference opponent Concordia St.-Paul in the Mineral Water Bowl Dec. 4 in Excelsior Springs, Mo.
2010 ALL-MIAA FOOTBALL TEAM
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Eric Czerniewski, Sr., QB, Central Missouri
Â
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Ryan Jones, Sr., DB, Northwest Missouri
Â
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Steve Ivanisevic, Sr., K, Washburn
Â
FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
Nate Dreiling, LB, Pittsburg State
Â
COACH OF THE YEAR
Mel Tjeerdsma, Northwest Missouri
Â
FIRST TEAM OFFENSE
QB: Eric Czerniewski, Sr., Central Missouri Â
RB: Anthony Stewart, Sr., Central Missouri
RB: Vershon Moore, Sr., Washburn
WR: Jamorris Warren, Sr., Central Missouri
WR: Jake Soy, Jr., Northwest Missouri [r1]
TE: DeMarco Cosby, Sr., Central Missouri
OL: Dennis Bergland, Sr., Nebraska-Omaha**
OL: Jason Wiseman, Sr., Northwest Missouri [r1]
OL: Dane Wardenburg, Sr., Northwest Missouri
OL: Brian Folkerts, Jr., Washburn
OL: Harrison Lingenfelter, Sr., Nebraska-Omaha [r1]
K: Steve Ivanisevic, Sr., Washburn**
KR/PR: Jordan Simmons, So., Northwest Missouri
Â
**Unanimous Selection
[r1] – Repeat first team selection from last season
Â
FIRST TEAM DEFENSE
DL: Daniel Webb, Sr., Emporia State
DL: Brandon Williams, So., Missouri Southern
DL: Jacob Crossman, Sr., Fort Hays State
DL: Roberto Davis, Sr., Northwest Missouri
DL: Josh Lorenson, Jr., Northwest Missouri
LB: Chad Kilgore, Jr., Northwest Missouri [r1]
LB: Willie Horn, Sr., Northwest Missouri
LB: Sean Whiters, Sr., Missouri Western
DB: Ryan Jones, Sr., Northwest Missouri** [r1]
DB: Marlon Douglas, Jr., Central Missouri
DB: Jack Long, Jr., Missouri Western
DB: Michael Elliott, Jr., Truman
P: Jared Witter, Sr., Pittsburg State
