2019 #RMACfb All-Conference Teams Announced
FULL RELEASE
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Adams State University’s Tariq Bitson, CSU-Pueblo’s Jackson Wibbels and Colorado Mesa’s Justin White were named the 2019 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) Football Offensive, Defensive, and Special Teams Players of the Year, respectively. The major awards were announced on Wednesday, along with the All-RMAC Teams.
In addition, John Matocha from Colorado School of Mines took home Offensive Freshman of the Year and Brandin Obrecht of Adams State earned Defensive Freshman of the Year. Colorado School of Mines head coach Gregg Brandon was named Coach of the Year for the second straight season.
The major awards, along with All-RMAC First and Second Teams were voted on by the conference’s 11 head football coaches, who could not vote for their own players. Those that received at least one First Team vote were named Honorable Mention.
Bitson makes it two straight years a Grizzly has earned Player of the Year, previously Adams State did not have one since 2004. Bitson was a monster on the field as he hauled in a total of 11 touchdowns and averaged an incredible 144.9 yards per game which ranks first in DII and is almost 20 yards per game ahead of second. Bitson, unfortunately, got hurt in the 9
th game of the season as he was on pace to break the NCAA DII yards in a single season. He still finished the season with a total of 1,304 yards on 63 receptions.
Wibbels was a force on the defensive line for the ThunderWolves as he totaled nine sacks and 18 tackles for loss. Wibbels helped lead a defense that allowed under 20 points in eight of their games including a shutout against Black Hills State.
White was the primary kickoff returner for the Mavericks as he returned 15 kicks and totaled 571 yards. He averaged just over 38 yards per return which included a 100-yard TD return. White also added one punt return touchdown out of his two he returned.
Colorado School of Mines’ John Matocha helped lead the Orediggers to a perfect 11-0 record at quarterback and was named the Offensive Freshman of the Year. The versatile QB finished the season 7
th in the RMAC in rushing yards per game with 53.3 and third in passing yards per game with 235.2.
Obrecht of Adams State was named the Defensive Freshman of the Year. The Grizzly played in all 11 games and was second on the team with a total of 58 tackles and 10.5 tackles for loss. Obrecht also chipped in with one interception and one fumble forced and one fumble recovery.
Brandon was named Coach of the Year after leading the Orediggers to their 13th consecutive winning season and claiming the RMAC Championship. Colorado School of Mines finished the regular season undefeated for the first time since 2004 and currently are ranked No. 7 in the Division II National Football Coaches Association (NFCA) poll.
The First Round of the NCAA Playoffs will kickoff on Saturday with two RMAC teams hosting the first round. The No. 3 seed in the Super Region 4, Colorado School of Mines is set to host Sioux Falls while the No. 4 seed CSU-Pueblo will host Augustana (SD).
Major Award Winners
Offensive Player of the Year: Tariq Bitson, ASU
Defensive Player of the Year: Jackson Wibbels, CSUP
Special Teams Player of the Year: Justin White, CMU
Defensive Freshman: Brandin Obrecht, ASU
Offensive Freshman: John Matocha, CSM