Despite finishing with a disappointing (1-10) record this season four Morgan State University football players were named to the MEAC all-conference teams.
Being recognized as a top player in their respective positions, Carl Garnes, Brandon Jones, Rico Kennedy, and Malachi Washington were rewarded with their high level of play this year.
Garnes, defensive back, earned third team honors along with linebacker Kennedy.
The sophomore Kennedy ranked in the top 20 in tackles, first in tackle for loss and tied for first in forced fumbles in the MEAC.
Garnes ranked fourth on the Bears in tackles with 38 and led the team in passes broken up.
The lone offensive player from the Bears that made a conference team is tight end Jones. Jones, who also made the third team, was more of a blocking tight end. However, the junior finished with 111 yards, averaged 7.40 yards per catch, and 11 yards per game with only 15 receptions this season. Jones also, had one touchdown.
“It was pretty special especially coming from JUCO, and not having big time experience with Division I football,” said Jones. “Things just started working out the way they did,” he added.
A standout on the Bears defense, defensive lineman Washington received second team honors. However, the defensive lineman believes he should have made first team after a strong season. Washington finished in the top five in sacks along with Kennedy in the MEAC. The two combined for 13 sacks. In addition, in the MEAC the linesman was third in tackle in for loss with 11.
The sociology major however, is not worry about his stats. “I’m not the type of player to play for stats, I play to win the game,” said Washington.
Still, the junior defensive lineman believes it is a blessing to be named to a conference team, and is even moreso happy for his teammates.
“I play for them and we all play together as one,” said Washington. “When I see someone else being congratulated it’s a blessing and I love it,” he added.
He will use the frustration from this season and not making first team to get better during the offseason. The goal for everyone Washington said, is to play together as one and take their game up a notch, and he hopes seeing that him along with other players made all conference teams they see it as motivation to get better and named a all conference player next season.
