Friday, November 17, 2006

Valparaiso University had four football players earn Pioneer Football League honors when the conference announced its year-end awards on Friday.

Jimmy Riker (Tekonsha, Mich./Tekonsha H.S.) was named to the league's First Team while Mike Schilling (Wauwatosa, Wis./East H.S.) and Charlie Thompson (Sheboygan, Wis./North H.S.) each earned Second Team accolades. Steve Ogden (Wauwatosa, Wis./West H.S.) was named Honorable Mention.

Riker, a senior defensive lineman, finished the season with 50 tackles, including a team-high eight for loss. An Honorable Mention All-League pick last year, he also registered three pass breakups and recovered a pair of fumbles. Selected to participate in the East Coast Bowl, Riker was second among all PFL linemen in tackles.

Schilling helped pave the way for the Crusaders along the offensive line the last two seasons. A senior, he started all 11 games for the Brown and Gold at left tackle. He helped Valpo's ground game, which saw various backs throughout the year due to injury, as well as pass protection.

Thompson came up big in the secondary for Valpo throughout the year. His 56 tackles were third most on the team, and included a pair for loss. In his first season as a starter, the senior also registered three pass break-ups for the Brown and Gold.

Ogden, a redshirt-sophomore, led all Crusaders receivers with 1,048 yards receiving. Sixth in all of NCAA I-AA in yards per game (95.3), he hauled in 55 passes on the year including eight for touchdowns.