Associated Press Applauds Play of Coney, Fallen as All-Americans
By Mike DeVader, Reinhardt Director of Athletic Communications & Media
WALESKA, Ga. – More gridiron recognition was handed out to a pair of Eagles on Friday, after offensive lineman Tre Coney (First Team) and defensive lineman Seth Fallen (Second Team) were placed on the Associated Press (AP) 2019 NAIA All-America Team.
The team, presented by Regions Bank and released Friday, was selected by a panel of sports information directors and the AP.
To view the entire publication from the AP, please click here.
Additionally, both players earned the same spots on the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) lists and the NAIA All-America teams as well.
Coney – who just completed the inaugural NAIA Senior Football Classic with the best players in the NAIA – was a part of a strong group across the country who earned All-America honors for the second-consecutive season in 2019, after the Dublin, Ga., native was also on the first-teamer list one year ago.
The senior mauler was a key cog in another powerful running game that helped the Eagles to their fourth-straight Appalachian Division crown within the Mid-South Conference and another appearance in the NAIA Football Championship Series.
The hometown team's season came to a close at 9-3 in the first round in a hard-fought battle on the road at No. 2 Marian (Ind.), 17-7, but the Eagles stood toe-to-toe with the Knights thanks to an offense that averaged 263.5 yards on the ground – fourth in the NAIA.
Coney, who also rumbled his way into the paint on a one-yard run on Senior Day against Union (Ky.), helped keep quarterback Billy Hall and company upright by allowing the fourth-fewest sacks in the country during the season with eight.
Speaking of getting to the quarterback, Fallen lived in the opposing backfield all season with 37 tackles, including 15 stops for-loss and a team-best eight sacks.
He also returned a fumble for 10 yards.
Fallen helped his defensive unit – who ranked fourth overall in total defense at 247.6 yards per game – continue to be one of the very best in NAIA football by also surrendering just 13.5 points per game, which was fifth nationally.
Reinhardt's 33 sacks were tied for 10th-highest in the NAIA as well.
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