True freshman Anfernee Gurley won a pair of awards as Eastern Washington University football players of the year were announced and honored at Sunday's (Feb. 25) annual EWU Awards Presentation at the Showalter Auditorium on the EWU campus in Cheney, Wash.
 
A 2017 graduate of Archbishop Murphy High School in Everett, Wash., Gurley was selected as EWU's Freshman of the Year and was the Special Teams Player of the Year. All-Big Sky junior safety Mitch Fettig earned player of the year honors on defense and sophomore All-Big Sky running back Antoine Custer Jr. won on offense.
 
A new award, the Golden EKG (Eastern Kind of Guy) was presented to junior center Spencer Blackburn. Blackburn was a second team All-Big Sky selection for the second year in a row in 2017.
 
In addition, receiving Scout Team Players of the Year were defensive lineman Mitchell Johnson, wide receiver Andrew Boston and quarterback Gunner Talkington, and the recipient for special teams was Marques Hampton Jr.
 
Senior defensive end Marcus Saugen was given the Pat Roberts Memorial Award for achieving academic and athletic excellence. The 2014 graduate of North Central High School in Spokane, Wash., played 50 games as an Eagle, and finished with 89 total tackles with three sacks.
 
Receiving team captains awards from the 2017 season were senior defensive tackle Andre Lino, senior defensive end Albert Havili, senior wide receiver Nic Sblendorio and junior quarterback Gage Gubrud.
 
In addition, four former Eagles representing the "Eagle Football Network" fund-raising group were honored with the Tom Oswald Memorial Award. They included punter Ryan Donckers (letterwinner in 2004-05), safety Bryan Jarrett (2005-06-07), offensive lineman John Rice (2007-08-09) and offensive lineman Paul Terrell (2001-02-03-04). Larry Beelaert was also honored as part of the EFN.
 
Other honors won during the 2017 season were presented at the event, which concluded with the introduction and recognition of Eastern's 14 seniors. In all, the 14 seniors concluded their careers with 127 career starts on offense and defense, with eight of them concluding their careers as four-year letterwinners. In all, the 14 seniors played a collective total of 433 games, including 53 by Albert Havili which were three shy of the school record of 55.
 
Several of Eastern's 14 Eagle seniors were part of EWU's Big Sky Conference championships in 2013, 2014 and 2016, with playoff berths all three of those seasons. Eastern won 34 of 41 Big Sky Conference games and 48 games overall in the last five years, starting in 2013 when many of those seniors were redshirts.
 
A complete list of honors won are listed below:
 
 
Team Captain Awards

• Quarterback Gage Gubrud (Jr. - McMinnville, Ore.)
• Defensive Tackle Andre Lino (Sr. - Seattle, Wash.)
• Defensive End Albert Havili (Sr. - Federal Way, Wash.)
• Wide Receiver Nic Sblendorio (Sr. - Sammamish, Wash.)

 
Players of the Year

• Freshman of the Year – Anfernee Gurley (Everett, Wash.)
• Offense – Antoine Custer (Berkeley, Calif.)
• Defense – Mitch Fettig (Olympia, Wash.)
• Special Teams – Anfernee Gurley (Everett, Wash.)
• Golden EKG – Spencer Blackburn (Bellingham, Wash.)

 
Scout Team Players of the Year
 
Defense – #94 - Mitchell Johnson - DL - 6-3 - 225 - Fr. - HS - West Linn, Ore. (West Linn HS '17)
Offense – #15 - Gunner Talkington – QB - 5-10 – 180 - Fr. – HS - Battle Ground, Wash. (Battle Ground HS '17)
Offense – #19 - Andrew Boston - WR - 6-3 - 180 - Fr. - HS - Puyallup, Wash. (Emerald Ridge HS '17)
Special Teams – #83 - Marques Hampton Jr. - WR - 6-1 - 180 - Fr. - HS - DuPont, Wash. (Steilacoom HS '17)
 
 
Pat Roberts Memorial Award

• This award is given by the coaching staff in memory of Pat Roberts, one of Eagle Football's most loyal supporters. The criteria for selection is based on an individual who possess the attributes that sets him apart from all the rest. This person is not necessarily the best athlete on the team, nor the best student. But he is the one that makes all others around him better through hard work, perseverance, superior work ethic, team leadership and a tenacious attitude. Pat Roberts believes in Eagle Football and in the value of a young man who lives those same beliefs of Eagle Excellence every day.

2017 - Marcus Saugen
2016 – Cooper Kupp
2015 – Jake Withnell
2014 – Ashton Boothroyd
2013 – Jakob Pugsley
2012 – Grant Williams
2011 – David Miles
2010 - Matt Martin
2009 - Tony Davis, Chris Thomas
2008 - Mark Lathim
2007 - Chris Carlsen
2006 - Brandon Nicholson
2005 – Jake Young
2004 – Paul Terrell
2003 – Keith Garner
2002 – Luke Vincent
2001 – Alvin Tolliver
2000 – Josh Martin
 

Tom Oswald Memorial Award

• The Tom Oswald Memorial Award was created following the 2006 season in the memory of former Cheney High School coach Tom Oswald, who succumbed to cancer on Aug. 4, 2006. Recipients are selected by the Eastern coaching staff for following Oswald's creed of "Doing the Right Thing" for youth. Tom passed away on Aug. 4, 2006, after a battle with cancer. He won 165 games in 25 years in Cheney.

2017 – The Eagle Football Network (EFN) . . . represented by:
Ryan Donckers – Lettered 2004-05 - #14 – Punter - Renton, Wash. / Renton HS '02
Bryan Jarrett - Lettered 2005-06-07 - #27 – Safety - Puyallup, Wash. / Puyallup HS '03 / WWU
John Rice - Lettered 2007-08-09 - #73 – Offensive Line - Buckley, Wash. / White River HS '05
Paul Terrell - Lettered 2001-02-03-04 - #76 – Offensive Line - Ferndale, Wash. / Ferndale HS '00
Larry Beelaert
 
Past Recipients
2016 – Tommy Williams (1991-92)
2015 – Tony Brooks (1990-93)
2012 – Jay Day (1992-95)
2010 - Luke Fritz (1997-2000)
2009 - Rick Giampietri (1968-68)
2008 - Kyler Randall (2000-03)
2007 - Josh Martin (1997-2000)
2006 - Ryan Chicoine (1998)
 

2017 Seniors
37 - Roldan Alcobendas - K - 6-0 - 180 - 3L* - Camas, Wash. (Camas HS '13) – 29 games played
45 - Jordan Dascalo - P/K - 6-1 - 225 - 3L - Los Angeles, Calif. (Taft HS '13 & Washington State Univ.) – 35 games played
27 - Victor Gamboa - DB - 6-0 - 190 - 4L* - Tacoma, Wash. (Washington HS '13) – 42 games played / 27 started
47 - Adam Gascoyne - RB - 5-11 - 190 – 1L* - Port Orchard, Wash. (South Kitsap HS '13 & Wisc.-Stevens Point) – 7 games played
4 - #Albert Havili - DL - 6-2 - 270 - 4L* - Federal Way, Wash. (Federal Way HS '13) – 53 games played / 27 started
17 - Jake Hoffman - DB - 6-0 - 195 - 4L* - Spokane, Wash. (North Central HS '13) – 46 games played / 12 started
29 - John Kreifels - DB - 5-10 - 205 - 4L* - Modesto, Calif. (Thomas Downey HS '13) – 34 games played / 3 started
25 - Jordan Laurencio - RB - 5-7 - 165 - SQ* - Seattle, Wash. (Kentlake HS '13) – 1 games played
9 - #Andre Lino - DL - 6-3 - 270 - 4L* - Seattle, Wash. (Blanchet HS '13) – 44 games played / 28 started
50 - Miquel Perez - LB - 6-0 - 210 - SQ* - Grandview, Wash. (Grandview HS '12) – 2 games played
93 - Marcus Saugen - DL - 6-3 - 240 - 4L - Spokane, Wash. (North Central HS '14) – 50 games played / 1 started
7 - #Nic Sblendorio - WR - 6-0 - 185 - 4L* - Sammamish, Wash. (Skyline HS '13) – 49 games played / 20 started
18 - D'londo Tucker - DB - 6-0 - 180 - 4L* - Federal Way, Wash. (Federal Way HS '13) – 35 games played / 9 started
12 - Keonte White - WR - 6-4 - 195 - 1L* - Sylmar, Calif. (Sylmar HS '13) – 6 games played
#Senior Co-Captain. *Has used redshirt year.
 
 
 
 

2017 INDIVIDUAL AWARD WINNERS

 
All-America Honors
 
#34 - Anfernee Gurley - Spec. Teams/DB - Fr. - Everett, Wash. (Archbishop Murphy HS '17)

• First Team Freshman All-America (Hero Sports)

 
#28 - Antoine Custer Jr. - RB - So. - Berkeley, Calif. (De La Salle '16)

• Honorable Mention Sophomore All-America Team (Hero Sports)

 
 
All-Big Sky Honors
 
Honorable Mention All-Big Sky Conference
Offensive Guard - 65 - Tristen Taylor - 6-6 - 315 - So. - 2L * - Stockton, Calif. (Stagg HS '15)
Running Back - 20 - Sam McPherson - 5-10 - 200 - Jr. - 2L - Bothell, Wash. (Bothell 'HS '15)
Cornerback - 1 - Josh Lewis - 6-0 - 190 - Jr. - 2L* - Lakewood, Wash. (Steilacoom HS '14)
 
Third Team All-Big Sky
Wide Receiver - 5 - Nsimba Webster - 5-10 - 180 - Jr. - 3L* - Antioch, Calif. (Deer Valley HS '14)
Safety - 13 - Mitch Fettig - 6-1 - 200 - Jr. - 3L* - Olympia, Wash. (Olympia HS '14)
Special Teams - 34 - Anfernee Gurley - DB - 5-10 - 180 - Fr. – 1L - Everett, Wash. (Archbishop Murphy HS '17)
 
Second Team All-Big Sky
Quarterback - 8 - Gage Gubrud - 6-2 - 205 - Jr. - 3L* - McMinnville, Ore. (McMinnville HS '14)
Wide Receiver - 7 - Nic Sblendorio - 6-0 - 185 - Sr. - 4L* - Sammamish, Wash. (Skyline HS '13)
Running Back - 28 - Antoine Custer Jr. - 5-9 - 190 - So. - 2L - Berkeley, Calif. (De La Salle '16)
Center - 75 - Spencer Blackburn - 6-2 - 285 - Jr. - 2L * - Bellingham, Wash. (Meridian HS '14)
Defensive End - 4 - Albert Havili - 6-2 - 270 - Sr. - 4L* - Federal Way, Wash. (Federal Way HS '13)
Return Specialist -  87 - Dre' Sonte Dorton - 5-10 - 185 - So. – 1L* - Pasco, Wash. (Chiawana HS '15)
 
First Team All-Big Sky
Punter - 45 - Jordan Dascalo - 6-1 - 225 - Sr. - 3L - Los Angeles, Calif. (Taft HS '13 & Washington State Univ.)
    -- Played in the NFLPA Bowl on Jan. 20 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.

 
Academic Honors
 
National Academic Honors
 
Academic All-Star (NCAA Football Championship Subdivision Athletic Director's Association)
 
Center - 75 - Spencer Blackburn - 6-2 - 285 - Jr. - 2L * - Bellingham, Wash. (Meridian HS '14)

• Was also a recipient this year of the Larry Hattemer Offensive Lineman Endowed Scholarship

 
EWU's Recipients of the FCS ADA Academic All-Star Team Award
A total of 21 awards have now been won by Eagles on the Academic All-Star team since the award began in 1998.
2017 – Spencer Blackburn, Center
2016 - Cooper Kupp, Wide Receiver
2015 - Cooper Kupp, Wide Receiver
2015 - ***Jake Withnell, Tight End
2014 - Ronnie Hamlin, Linebacker
2013 - Ronnie Hamlin, Linebacker
2013 - Ashton Miller, Center
2012 - Jeff Minnerly, Safety
2011 - Jeff Minnerly, Safety
2011 - Mike Jarrett, Kicker
2010 - J.C. Sherritt, Linebacker
2010 - Matt Martin, Tight End
2009 - Chris Thomas, Offensive Tackle
2009 - Jacob Kragt, Defensive End
2007 - Tom McAndrews, Tight End
2005 - Joey Cwik, Linebacker
2003 - Kyler Randall, Wide Receiver
2003 - Kurt Sigler, Offensive Tackle
2002 - Josh Blankenship, Quarterback
1999 - Aaron Best, Center
1998 - Mike MacKenzie, Running Back
***Also post-graduate scholarship finalist.
 
EWU Scholar-Athletes of the Month

• Gage Gubrud (September)
• Sam McPherson (October)
• Nic Sblendorio (November)

 
EWU Players on Big Sky Conference All-Academic Team
 
(6) First Year Award – Big Sky Conference All-Academic Team
Nicholas Blair - Everett, Wash. / Everett HS '16 - Fr. - Undeclared
Calin Criner - Boise, Idaho / Rocky Mountain HS '16 - Fr. - Undeclared
Conner Crist - Tigard, Ore. / Tigard HS '16 - Fr. - Undeclared
Johnny Edwards IV - Pasadena, Wash. / Bishop Alemany HS '17 - Fr. - Undeclared
Dehonta Hayes - Tacoma, Wash. / Lincoln HS '15 - So. - Communication Studies
Brett Thompson - Olympia, Wash. / Olympia HS '16 - Fr. - Undeclared
 
(14) Second Year Award – Big Sky Conference All-Academic Team
Roldan Alcobendas - Camas, Wash. / Camas HS '13 - Sr. - Finance
Spencer Blackburn - Bellingham, Wash. / Meridian HS '14 - Jr. - Professional Accounting
Beau Byus - Spokane, Wash. / Central Valley HS '14 - Jr. - Management
Zach Eagle - Camas, Wash. / Camas HS '14 - Jr. - Exercise Science
Jayce Gilder - Corvallis, Mont. / Corvallis HS '15 - So. - Management
Jonah Jordan - Spokane, Wash. / Mead HS '14 - Jr. - Interdisciplinary Studies
Cole Karstetter - Spokane, Wash. / Ferris HS '14 - Jr. - Professional Accounting
Andrew Katzenberger - Lynnwood, Wash. / Lynnwood HS '15 - So. - Management
Dylan Ledbetter - West Seattle, Wash. / O'Dea HS '15 - So. - Interdisciplinary Studies Liberal Arts
Brandon Montgomery - Tacoma, Wash. / Wilson HS '14 - Jr. - Marketing
Tamarick Pierce - Oakland, Calif. / Saint Mary's HS '16 - So. - Undeclared
Tysen Prunty - Beaverton, Ore. / Tigard HS '15 - So. - Undeclared
Jack Sendelbach - Seattle, Wash. / Blanchet HS '15 - So. - Marketing
Jayson Williams - Tacoma, Wash. / Lincoln HS '15 - So. - Marketing
 
(8) Third Year Award – Big Sky Conference All-Academic Team
Henderson Belk - Mukilteo, Wash. / Kamiak HS '14 - Jr. - Professional Accounting
Curtis Billen - Everett, Wash. / Mariner HS '14 - Jr. - Mechanical Engineering
Kurt Calhoun - Zillah, Wash. / Zillah HS '14 - Jr. - Exercise Science
Mitch Fettig - Olympia, Wash. / Olympia HS '14 - Jr. - Criminal Justice
Ketner Kupp - Yakima, Wash. / Davis HS '15 - Jr. - Management
Josh Lewis - Lakewood, Wash. / Steilacoom HS '14 - Jr. - Criminal Justice
Sam McPherson - Bothell, Wash. / Bothell HS '15 - Jr. - Mechanical Engineering
Stu Stiles - Spokane, Wash. / Mt. Spokane HS '14 - Jr. - Finance
 
(2) Fourth Year Award – Big Sky Conference All-Academic Team
Andre Lino - Seattle, Wash. / Bishop Blanchet HS '13 - Sr. - Mechanical Engineering
Nic Sblendorio - Sammamish, Wash. / Skyline HS '13 - Sr. - Management