The Valparaiso University football program featured nine representatives as Phil Steele released the publication’s All-Pioneer Football League teams this week.

Fifth-year senior running back Aaron Dawson (Westbury, N.Y. / W.T. Clarke / Milford Prep [Central Connecticut]) and redshirt senior offensive lineman Aaron Byrd (Bradley, Ill. / Bourbonnais) were named to the First Team, while redshirt junior wide receiver Solomon Davis (Brighton, Tenn. / Brighton), senior linebacker Ben Hines (Snohomish, Wash. / Archbishop Murphy [Washington]), senior defensive back Kohlton Sherman (Millington, Mich. / Millington) and redshirt senior punter Evan Matthes (Reston, Va. / South Lakes [West Virginia]) were named to the Second Team.

In addition, redshirt sophomore defensive lineman Sam Hafner (Green Bay, Wis. / De Pere) and redshirt freshman defensive lineman Kevin Spelman (New Lenox, Ill. / Providence Catholic) were tabbed to the Third Team and junior wide receiver Braden Contreras (Hillsdale, Ill. / Hinsdale Central) received a Fourth Team nod.

Dawson and Byrd were also selected to compete in the FCS National Bowl after their standout seasons. Dawson rushed for a league-most 1,204 yards, the second-highest single-season rushing total in program history. Byrd was a crucial part of the offensive line that helped block for Dawson’s historic rushing numbers.

Hines made an immediate impact on the defensive side of the ball after joining the program as a transfer, accruing a team-high 91 tackles while also garnering an interception, eight tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.

Davis led the team with 748 receiving yards and 43 catches including four touchdown grabs. Sherman enjoyed a streak of four straight games with an interception. Matthes averaged 41.4 yards per punt with a long of 67, pinning 22 of his 57 kicks inside the 20 and booting 10 for 50+ yards.

Hafner finished second on the team in tackles (65), tackles for loss (nine) and sacks (five) while leading the league with three forced fumbles. Spelman accrued a team-high 11 tackles for loss and paced the squad with 6.5 sacks while forcing a pair of fumbles. Contreras had 30 catches for 466 yards and three scores.

Click here for the full Phil Steele FCS postseason all-conference teams.