FRISCO, TEXAS – University of the Incarnate Word senior outside linebacker Myke Tavarres (Lake Oswego, OR/Lake Ridge HS) led a strong contingent of Cardinals on the Southland Conference all-conference football teams that were released on Tuesday by the league.

Tavarres was named the Southland newcomer of the year and also took home first team all-conference honors.  He led the conference with 8.5 sacks and 22.5 tackles for loss, which ranks 15^th and third in the nation, respectively.  The STATS FCS National Defensive Player of the Year finalist set the UIW record with 110 tackles on the year, which is the third-highest in the conference.  The transfer from Arkansas was a two-time Southland defensive player of the week for the Cardinals.

The all-conference teams are comprised of 29 first-team and second-team members.  Each coach nominates players from his own team.  The teams are selected by a vote of the league's head coaches and sports information directors, who cannot vote for their own players.  To receive honorable mention, a player must receiver votes from at least 25 percent of all voters.

Senior tight end Cole Wick (Hallettsville/Sacred Heart Catholic HS) was the only other Cardinal to earn first-team all-conference honors.  He finished the season with 30 receptions for 364 yards and two touchdowns.  He was an honorable mention choice last year.

Senior defensive back Kobie Douglas (Plano/Plano HS) notched second-team all-conference honors.  He finished tied for the conference lead with 12 pass breakups.  He tallied 43 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, an interception and a fumble recovery.

The Cardinals earned a total of eight honorable mention all-conference awards.  Sophomore quarterback Trent Brittain (Eastland/Eastland HS), senior left tackle Nathan Thompson (San Antonio/MacArthur HS), sophomore wide receiver/kick returner Kody Edwards (Mesquite/Poteet HS), junior defensive end Alex Jenkins (Bath, Eng./St. Gregory's Catholic HS), junior linebacker Josh Zellars (Baytown/Lee HS), senior safety Robert Johnson (Richmond, CA/Berkeley HS) and junior punt returner Jordan Hicks (Arlington/Seguin HS) were each honored.

Brittain led the conference in passing yards (2,254) and total offense (2,661) while leading the team with eight rushing touchdowns.  Thompson is a four-year starter and the team's top offensive lineman.  Edwards earned honorable mention honors as an all-purpose player (1,127 all-purpose yards) and kick returner (25.0 yards per kick return).  Jenkins had 32 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and a blocked kick.  Zellars finished second on the team with 83 tackles along with 4.0 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles.  Johnson had 56 tackles, four interceptions, three pass breakups and two forced fumbles.  Hicks averaged 18.7 yards per punt return and had one for a touchdown.
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