It was announced earlier today that four University of Redlands student-athletes landed on the 2019 D3football.com All-West Region Team for their success on the field during the Bulldogs' historic nine-win season and run to the first round of the NCAA DIII Championship Tournament. Senior defensive lineman Elias Hackney (Santa Monica, CA) and senior defensive back Jeff Hector (Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA) garnered a spot on the First Team, senior tight end Blake Roy (Camas, WA) nabbed a spot on the Second Team while senior kicker Alex Raya (Jamul, CA) gained a Third Team nod.
Hackney and Hector collect their inaugural All-Region award in their final season with the Maroon and Gray. Hackney provided a tremendous presence in the trenches while he and the rest of the defensive line put an immense amount of pressure on opposing quarterbacks and running backs, causing disruption in the backfield. He sits in second in SCIAC and 36th in the country with 8.5 sacks for a combined 61-yard loss. He also tallied 32 total tackles and 14 tackles for a combined 78-yards lost. He is responsible for two pass breakups and one block.
Along with being one of the top defensive backs in the nation, Hector also contributed his talents to special teams by registering 13 kick returns for 328 yards. Defensively, he currently leads the NCAA Division III with eight interceptions, 178 interception return yards, and three interceptions ran back for a touchdown and sits second with 0.7 interceptions per game and eighth with 19 passes defended. Furthermore, he recorded 35 tackles, including 27 solo tackles and two tackles for a combined 21-yard loss. In addition, he has broken up 11 passes and forced two fumbles.
Roy collects his second All-Region award in his fourth season with the Bulldogs. In addition to providing key blocks for the offense, he served as the team's top receiver with 27 catches for 253 yards and five touchdowns while playing in nine games. He averaged nearly 10 yards per catch and hauled in a long of 20 yards. He averaged 2.7 receptions per game and 25.3 yards per game.
Raya receives his inaugural All-West Region award this season. This year, he converted 13 field goals, including a 56-yarder earlier this season that reset a school record. In 11 games played, Raya went 52-for-54 on extra points for a 96% conversion rate. While pacing the team with 91 total points for an average of 8.3 points per game, Raya accounted for 20% of the Bulldogs' 445 points, which reset the single-season scoring record at Redlands. He also ranks amongst the best nationally with the 11th-most field goals per game.
Earlier this season, all four student-athletes represented the Maroon and Gray among the best in the conference as members of the All-SCIAC First Team, in addition, Hector and Raya represented Redlands on the AFCA All America Team.
For a complete list of the D3football.com All-Region Team, please visit the organization's website.