Senior defensive back Jeff Hector (Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA) and senior kicker Alex Raya (Jamul, CA) cap off an already-impressive final campaign with the Bulldogs by representing the University of Redlands on the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) All-America Team, as announced by the organization earlier today.  This is the first time in school history that Redlands gains two AFCA All-Americans in the same year.

This dynamic duo was instrumental in the team's first nine-win season since 1978, as the Bulldogs finished with a 9-2 mark and a 6-1 showing in conference.  As a result, Redlands advanced to the NCAA Championships for the ninth time in Head Coach Mike Maynard's tenure.

Hector currently leads the nation in interceptions (8), interception return yards (178), and interceptions ran back for a touchdown (3).  He also ranks second with 0.7 interceptions per game and eighth with 19 passes defended for an average of 1.7 per game.  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. Hector also contributed his talents to special teams by registering 13 kick returns for 328 yards.

Raya also ranks amongst the best of the best nationally with the 11th-most field goals per game at 1.18. 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. Among his 13 made field goals, he individually broke the school record with his 56-yarder earlier this season. Additionally, he went 52-for-54 in extra points made.

These student-athletes become the seventh and eighth AFCA All-Americans in Redlands' history.

Dillon O'Keefe from Chapman University and Obasi Dees from Cal Lutheran University also received the honor for a total of four representatives from the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC), the most in conference history.

For a complete list of the 2019 AFCA NCAA Division III All-Americans, please visit the AFCA website.