FLORENCE --
A pair of University of North Alabama football
standouts have been selected for All-Southeast
Region honors by the NCAA Division II sports
information directors.
UNA senior center JoJo Bates
of Birmingham, Ala., and senior receiver/kick
returner Anthony Merritt were selected for
first-team honors on the Daktronics
All-Southeast Region team.
Bates, a four-year
letterman and three-year starter, has helped
pave the way for one of the top offensive units
in Division II. The Lions are among the national
leaders in scoring (35.6) and total offense
(400.2) and have posted an 11-0 record entering
Saturday's home quarterfinal playoff game
against Delta State.
Merritt, a Harlon Hill
trophy candidate each of the last two seasons,
ranks among the Division II leaders in punt
returns and all-purpose yards. he has rolled up
more than 5,000 career all-purpose yards,
despite playing just two seasons on offense, and
has set four Division II national records for
returns. This season he has caught 48 passes for
541 yards and four touchdowns, rushed for 181
yards and a touchdown and also throw three
touchdown passes.
Both players were previously selected All-Gulf
South Conference in voting by the league's head
coaches.
