Football Tuesday, November 15, 2022 NWC Athletic Communications

Parker Fryar Highlights GPAC All-Conference Team as Defensive Player of the Year

Eight Red Raiders land First Team All-Conference honors, 19 honorees in total

SIOUX CITY, Iowa – The Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) announced the All-Conference teams for the 2022 football season ahead of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Football Championship Series (FCS) First Round. The Northwestern College football team (9-1, 9-1 GPAC) saw 19 nominees earn All-GPAC honors, highlighted by the 2022 GPAC Defensive Player of the Year in Parker Fryar.

Each of the two teams saw 15-member offensive and defensive honors, plus a five-man special teams list per team. In total, there were 40 available slots on the two teams which saw the Red Raiders take 14 of them. Northwestern had eight First Team honors, five offensive and three defensive honorees.

"We had a great group of players get recognized for the success we have had as a team this fall," noted head coach Matt McCarty. "These honors are a reflection of how well these guys and their teammates have played."

The 19 honorees this season is the third-most in program history and the most since the 20 honorees back in 2012. The 2006 team saw the program-high 21 honorees. It marks the third time that the Red Raiders have had 19 honorees in a season (2011, 2008). The eight First Team honors is the most since the 2019 season that also saw eight First Team performers.

Read below about the Raider student-athletes who excelled on the field this season, and who played roles in ensuring Northwestern got back to the NAIA Football Championship Series for the sixth-straight season and ended the regular season on a nine-game winning streak.

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Parker Fryar – Defensive Player of the Year | First Team Linebacker
Fryar (So., Waukee, Iowa) becomes the first Red Raider to win the league's Defensive Player of the Year award since Tanner Machacek did in 2019, becoming the seventh Raider to win the honor.

Being named a team captain for the 2022 season, Fryar again has led the led the Red Raider defense, recording a team-high 85 tackles (47 solo) through the ten regular season games this season. It marks the third-straight season he has led the team in tackles. In the GPAC, his 85 tackles sat in a tie for fourth, as did his 8.5 tackles per contest.

Additionally, the Covid sophomore also recorded a team-high eight tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. Not only did he get pressure in the opponent's backfield, but he also notched five pass break-ups and had an interception, making him a threat in the passing game, too. He also forced two fumbles through ten games.

This season also saw a bit of trickery, as the linebacker recorded two receptions on the season on fake field goal and fake punt plays. In the Jamestown game, he had a 22-yard touchdown reception from his brother Blake Fryar (Sr., Waukee, Iowa) on a fake field goal attempt. Later, in front of the home crowd, Fryar was found for a 34-yard reception on a fake punt. He totaled 56 yards receiving and one touchdown offensively this season.

"Parker played a large part in our defensive success," said McCarty. "Week in and week out he was a force in our defense and helped lead our defense to being one of the best units in the nation."

The First Team honors is the second-straight for the Covid sophomore out of Waukee, Iowa. In total, he has collected three All-GPAC honors, including a Second Team honor in his true freshman season in 2020.

𝘿𝙀𝙁𝙀𝙉𝙎𝙄𝙑𝙀 𝙋𝙇𝘼𝙔𝙀𝙍 𝙊𝙁 𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝙔𝙀𝘼𝙍 ‼️🏈

𝙋𝙖𝙧𝙠𝙚𝙧 𝙁𝙧𝙮𝙖𝙧 becomes the seventh Red Raider to be named the league's Defensive Player of the Year and the first since 2019 (Tanner Machacek).#RaidersStandOut | @nwc_fb | @GPACSports pic.twitter.com/nu2Wj7KjXT
— NWC Red Raiders (@nwcraiders) November 15, 2022

Konner McQuillan – First Team Running Back
McQuillan (Jr., Leavenworth, Kan.) had 80 carries on the season, playing in all 10 games for the Red Raiders. He sat third on the team in rushing yards, and second amongst running backs, recording 471 net yards. He averaged 5.9 yards per carry and had eight touchdowns, breaking off a long of 62 yards.

"Konner has provided an explosive spark for our offense," said McCarty. "Especially the last half of the year."

The Leavenworth, Kan. native is recording back-to-back First Team All-GPAC seasons, bringing his career total up to three (Second Team honors in 2020).

Michael Storey – First Team Wide Receiver
Storey (Sr., Spencer, Iowa), taking the lead wide receiver role for most of the season, led the team in receptions (56), receiving yards (813), and receiving touchdowns (9). His receiving yards and touchdown marks sit fourth in the league, while his 56 receptions ranks fifth. He averaged 14.52 yards per reception and brought in over 80 yards per game (81.3). His average per game sits fourth in the GPAC on the season.

"Mike stepped into a lead role in our offense this fall," noted McCarty. "He is a dynamic playmaker and competitor at wide receiver."

It marks back-to-back seasons for the Spencer, Iowa native bringing home First Team honors. In total, it's his fourth-career All-Conference honor – Second Team in 2019 and Honorable Mention in 2020.

Blake Anderson – First Team Tight End
Playing in all 10 games and brining in 32 receptions, second-most on the team, Anderson (Sr., Oakland, Neb.) tallied 389 receiving yards from this tight end position. He averaged 12.16 yards per catch and brought in four touchdown grabs.

"Our tight end plays a key role in the success of our offense and Blake has excelled this fall," commented McCarty.

The Oakland, Neb. native is earning his second-career All-GPAC honor, making it back-to-back seasons. This season marks his first-career First or Second Team nod.

Greg Will – First Team Offensive Lineman
Will (Sr., Spirit Lake, Iowa) is a member of the veteran Red Raider offensive line that averaged over 200 yards passing (272.8) and rushing (207.9) per game, making the Red Raider offense one of the best in the nation.

This season marks back-to-back All-Conference honors for Will, earning his first-career First Team nod. Last season he was a Second Team selection.

Darlin Marquez – First Team Offensive Lineman
Marquez (Sr., Ireton, Iowa) joins Will as a member of the stout and experienced Northwestern offensive line to collect First Team All-Conference honors.

"Greg and Darlin have been anchors on our offensive line and helped pave the way for one of the top offenses in the nation," said McCarty.

Marquez collects his second-career All-GPAC honor, after earning Second Team accolades in 2020.

Jaden Snyder – First Team Defensive Back
Snyder (Sr., Larchwood, Iowa) led the team with seven pass break-ups and sat tied for second on the team in interceptions with two. He also recorded 19 tackles from his safety position, while recovering two fumbles.
"Jaden has become one of the best safeties at our level," noted McCarty. "His presence in our secondary played a big part in the success of our pass defense this season."

He is collecting his second-career First Team honor, and his first for his play at safety. Between is punting and defensive back duties, Snyder has now tallied four All-Conference honors. He has one First Team honor at both safety (2022) and punter (2020), and one each at Second Team (both in 2021).

Noah Van't Hof – First Team Defensive Back
Van't Hof (Sr., Lester, Iowa) has been a steady mainstay of the Red Raider defensive backs, returning this season for his Covid season to help lead the Raider defense. One of the team captain's, Van't Hof sat second on the team in tackles (47.0), recording one tackle for loss. He also notched two interceptions and three pass break-ups, while forcing two fumbles and recovering one.

"Noah continued to be a playmaker on the back end of our defense," said McCarty. "He has had an outstanding career as a Raider!"

He is picking up his third-straight First Team All-Conference accolade, all being from his defensive back position.

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Jalyn Gramstad – Second Team Quarterback
Stepping up in the second half of the Concordia (Neb.) game, and making the full transition from defense to quarterback this season, Gramstad (So., Lester, Iowa) erupted onto the scene. He led the team in multiple offensive categories including rushing yards (659, net), rushing touchdowns (16), passing yards (1,606), and passing touchdowns (13).

His 16 rushing touchdowns sat in a three-way tie in the NAIA, and second in the GPAC. Only Morningside's starting running back had more rushing scores than Gramstad in the conference. The Lester, Iowa native was named the league's Offensive Player of the Week on September 26 for his breakout second half performance in the come-from-behind win over Concordia (Neb.).

The honor marks his first-career All-GPAC honor.

Logan Meyer – Second Team Running Back
Meyer (So., Alvord, Iowa) led the running backs this season with 503 net yards on the ground, which sat second on the team behind Gramstad. Like McQuillan, he scored eight touchdowns on the ground, while averaging 5.1 yards per carry and 55.9 yards per game, playing in nine of the 10 games this season. His longest run of the season was 45 yards.

Meyer is receiving his first-career All-Conference accolade in a Red Raider uniform.

Cade Moser – Second Team Wide Receiver
Despite missing half the season due to injury, the senior wide receiver still made his presence felt in the five games he played in this season. Moser (Sr., Rock Valley, Iowa) still put-up eye-popping numbers, especially in the last three weeks of the regular season.

Upon returning from injury, he recording three-straight 100-yard receiving games and averaged 15.7 yards per catch and 84.8 yards per game on the season. He has climbed the NWC record books, sitting second in both career receptions (211), touchdowns (43), and receiving yards (3,779).

The Rock Valley, Iowa native is collecting his third-career All-Conference accolade, after a First Team honor in 2021 and Honorable Mention recognition in 2019.

Jack Johnson - Second Team Offensive Lineman
Another anchor in the Red Raider offensive line, the two-time All-Conference honoree is picking up his third-career honor this season, marking his second Second Team honor (2020). He was a First Team performer last season in 2021.

Jacob Dragstra – Second Team Defensive Lineman
Dragstra (Sioux Center, Iowa) notched 21 tackles, playing in nine of the 10 games for the Red Raiders this season. He finished half a tackle for loss shy of the team lead (7.5) but led the team with his 5.5 sacks, causing constant disruption in the opponent's backfield from his defensive line position. The sophomore is tallying his first-career All-Conference nod.

Tanner Oleson – Second Team Linebacker
Playing in seven games this season due to injury, the senior linebacker recorded the team's third-best mark in tackles (29.0), while recording 4.0 tackles for loss. He recorded one sack on the season in the contest against Concordia (Neb.), while also recording a season-high three pass break-ups in the game. He sat second on the team this season with his six total pass break-ups. Oleson (Larchwood, Iowa) is picking up his first-career All-Conference honor.

Ben Kingery – Second Team Linebacker
Fellow linebacker Kingery (So., Casey, Iowa) was also a force in the Red Raider front seven this season, garnering Second Team honors. The sophomore recorded 25.0 tackles to sit in a tie for fifth on the team through the regular season. Four of his five tackles for loss on the year came by the sack, as he also recorded two quarterback hurries and a forced fumble. Kingery is collecting his first All-GPAC accolade in his Red Raider career.

Honorable Mention Honorees
Additionally, four Red Raiders were tabbed Honorable Mention All-Conference performers this season. Jawan Grant (So., Kansas City, Mo.) at offensive line, Ty Schafer (So., Sioux Falls, S.D.) as a long snapper, Morris Hofer (Jr., Onida, S.D.) and Tyler Jones (Sr., Twin Lakes, Iowa) at defensive line.

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The Raiders are set to enter the NAIA Football Championship Series (FCS) for the sixth-straight season with a 9-1 record (9-1 GPAC), under the direction of head coach Matt McCarty in his seventh season leading the program.

Don't forget to follow Northwestern College Athletics on Facebook @nwcraiders, Twitter @nwcraiders, and Instagram @nwcraiders! #RaidersStandOut

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Players Mentioned

#35 Blake Anderson: TE; 6' 4"; Senior

#97 Jacob Dragstra: DL; 5' 11"; Sophomore

#11 Blake Fryar: QB; 6' 1"; Senior

#43 Parker Fryar: LB; 6' 3"; Sophomore

#12 Jalyn Gramstad: QB; 6' 0"; Sophomore

#54 Jawan Grant: OL; 6' 0"; Sophomore

#23 Morris Hofer: LB/DL; 6' 1"; Junior

#69 Jack Johnson: OL; 6' 1"; Senior

#0 Tyler Jones: DL; 6' 4"; Senior

#38 Ben Kingery: LB; 5' 11"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

#35 Blake Anderson
: 6' 4"; Senior
: TE

#97 Jacob Dragstra
: 5' 11"; Sophomore
: DL

#11 Blake Fryar
: 6' 1"; Senior
: QB

#43 Parker Fryar
: 6' 3"; Sophomore
: LB

#12 Jalyn Gramstad
: 6' 0"; Sophomore
: QB

#54 Jawan Grant
: 6' 0"; Sophomore
: OL

#23 Morris Hofer
: 6' 1"; Junior
: LB/DL

#69 Jack Johnson
: 6' 1"; Senior
: OL

#0 Tyler Jones
: 6' 4"; Senior
: DL

#38 Ben Kingery
: 5' 11"; Sophomore
: LB