(Peru, Neb.) – Preston Bruss (Bennet) and Ryan Ludlow (Plattsmouth) earned Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) All-Conference Football First Team honors that were recently announced.  In addition, several other Bobcats were named to the third team with several earning honorable mention recognition.   
 
Bruss was named to the First Team Defense while Ludlow earned First Team Offense recognition.  For Bruss, it was his second year earning HAAC First Team honors.
 
Earning third team recognition were Tyler Ford (Lincoln) – Offense, Jacob Grobe (Oakland, Iowa) – Offense, and Zach Lempka (Sterling) – Defense.  Last year, Ford and Lempka earned honorable mention recognition.
 
Earning Honorable Mention Offense honors were Dillon Bruggeman (Lincoln) and Dayton Graf (Lincoln). 
 
Defensive Honorable Mention recognition includes Neil Bowman (Cedar Bluffs), Curtis Larsen (Plattsmouth), and Garret Campbell (Santee, Calif.).   This was Bowman's second honorable mention.  Last season, Campbell had received third team honors.
 
Bobcat football head coach Steve Schneider was pleased with the number of his players being recognized.  Schneider said, “After finishing our second year in the HAAC, to have ten guys receiving recognition, I think this was very good.   In addition, we had more on the first, second and third teams than last year.   I believe it shows the players worked hard as a team which made the coaches realize we have quality players competing each week.”    In conclusion, Schneider added, “We will miss our seniors, but look forward to having the returners come back and provide a good nucleus to lead the team in the off-season while preparing for the third year in the HAAC next fall.”
 
Bruss, a 6-2, 215 lb. senior linebacker, had another successful year to lead the Bobcat defense this season.  Bruss finished the season as the team's leading tackler with 111 total tackles – 37 of which were solo.  He had 7 tackles for loss totaling 26.5 yards and added 2.5 sacks totaling 16 yards in losses.   In addition, Bruss recovered 2 fumbles, forced 1 fumble, and deflected 3 passes.  At the season's end, Bruss was the second-leading tackler in the HAAC averaging 10.1 tackles per game.  At the national level, presently, Bruss is ranked 19^th in tackles (all positions) per game (10.1).
 
Ludlow, a 6-1, 210 lb. sophomore running back, gained 1,219 yards rushing, averaging 5.6 yards per play.  In addition, Ludlow had 94 yards receiving.  On the year, Ludlow had 24 touchdowns, 22 on the ground, and 2 through the air.  The two-time HAAC Offensive Player of the Week, Ludlow finished first in scoring per game – touchdowns (13.1); first in scoring – touchdowns (144); first in scoring per game (13.1); first in total scoring (144); second in rushing yards per game (110.8); second in total yards rushing (1,219); fourth in all-purpose yards per game (119.4); fourth in all-purpose yards (1,313); ninth in total offense yards per game (110.8); and ninth in total offense yards (1,219).  Nationally, Ludlow is presently ranked in eight categories:  second in total scoring – touchdowns; second in scoring touchdowns per game; second in total scoring, second in scoring per game; tenth in total yards rushing, 11^th in rushing yards per game, 26^th in all-purpose yards, and 31^st in all-purpose yards per game.
 
Grobe, a 6-1, 210 lb. senior punter, punted 54 times during the season for 2,023 yards averaging 37.5 yards per punt.  His longest punt of the year was 63 yards.  Grobe finished fourth in the HAAC in punting average, but had more punts than the top three, with the top punter averaging 39 yards per punt.  Nationally, in the NAIA, Grobe presently ranks 35^th among punter in yards per attempt.
 
A 6-5, 260 lb. junior defensive lineman, Lempka was third for the Bobcats in total tackles with 65, 20 of which were solo.  Lempka had 2 tackles for loss of 1 yard, 0.5 sack for a loss of 1.5 yards, 2 pass deflections, 2 forced fumbles, and 1 blocked kick.  In the HAAC, Lempka finished tied for fourth in fumbles forced per game (0.2) and tied for 18^th in total tackles per game (5.9).  Nationally, Lempka is presently ranked 34^th in fumbles forced per game.
 
Ford, a 6-5, 270 lb. sophomore, Bruggeman, a 6-1, 335 lb. freshman, and Graf, a 6-4, 300 lb. junior, were key to the Bobcats' offensive line and helped provide the support necessary allowing the Bobcats to get the passing and rushing yards throughout the year.  The rushing offense improved and finished second in the HAAC in rushing yards per game (234.5) and boasted the league's second best rusher in Ludlow. 
 
Bowman, a 6-2, 260 lb. senior, finished with 36 total tackles, four of which were solo.  In addition, Bowman had 1.5 tackles for a loss of 2 yards, and had 1 fumble recovery.
 
Larsen, a 5-11, 190 lb. junior, finished with 89 total tackles (second on the team) – 40 of which were solo, 7.5 tackles for a loss of 28.5 yards, 3.5 sacks for a loss of 13.5 yards, 2 interceptions, 4 pass deflections, and 2 forced fumbles.  In the HAAC, Larsen ranked tied for fourth in fumbles forced per game (0.2); fifth in total tackles per game (8.1); tied for 11^th in total sacks (3.5); tied for 12^th in sacks per game (0.3); tied for 15^th in interceptions per game (0.2); and tied for 17^th in total interceptions (2);  Presently, Larsen is ranked 34^th in the NAIA in fumbles forced per game.
 
Campbell, a 5-10, 195 lb. junior kick returner, had another good year in kickoff returns.  Campbell totaled 530 yards in returns on 24 attempts averaging 22.1 yards per attempt.  Against Avila, Campbell's 66-yard kickoff return, his longest of the year, set up the game-tying field goal.  In addition, Campbell had one punt return for 27 yards.  Campbell was named HAAC's Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance against Central Methodist.