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EPHRAIM- A third straight victory in the Zions Bank Top of the Mountains Bowl and five first- and second-team All Americans made this year's Snow College football season Snow's most successful since the 1985 national championship season.
Snow capped off its 11-1 year with a 26-21 victory over perennial power Coffeyville Saturday. During the game Snow overcame injuries to consensus All American quarterback Cade Cooper and running back Colt Mund to finish with the victory. The loss was Coffeyville's fourth on the season, all to top 12 teams.
Snow also handed Glendale its only regular season loss, one of five victories on the season over team's in the NJCAA top 20.
The bowl victory brought Snow's all-time bowl record to 11-1, including eight appearances and victories in the past 11 years.
The Badgers added the bowl championship crown to a conference championship as well as a slew of All Conference and All American honors. Ten players were named to the All Western States Football League first and second teams and five Badgers were named All Americans.
All American first team selections included Quarterback Cade Cooper, placekicker Zach Manning and defensive lineman Tonga "Junior" Tea. Second-team honorees were linebacker J.D. Folsom and running back Matt Asiata.
Cooper , who was also named the WSFL offensive player of the year, led the nation by passing for over 3,100 yards and 31 touchdowns. Behind Cooper, the Badgers lead the nation in total offense and scoring offense.
Asiata was the conference's leading runner, rushing for 1,490 yards and 15 touchdowns on the season. Asiata's numbers were good enough to make him the fifth leading rusher in the country.
The Badger defense, also anchored by two All Americans, held opposed teams to 13 points a game and 202 yards, good enough for 12th in the nation.
Tea was a preseason All-American selection and collected five-and-a-half sacks, nine tackles for loss and caused two fumbles from his defensive end position.
Folsom was a force in the middle for Badgers, collecting 70 tackles, - nine for a loss - and four-and-a-half sacks in the season.
On special teams, Manning was a perfect 51 for 51 in extra points for the regular season. He also kicked eight field goals en route to scoring 75 points.
First-year head coach Steve Coburn was named the WSFL coach of the year.
Now the Badgers are awaiting the final NJCAA poll and national player of the year selections. Many Snow sophomores are also expected to announce their intent to play NCAA Division I football next season.
Visit www.snowbadgers.com for more information.
