Football Wednesday, November 20, 2024 NWC Athletic Communications

Fryar Named GPAC Defensive Player of the Year, Raiders Land Nine on First Team

SIOUX CITY, Iowa – Parker Fryar was named the GPAC Defensive Player of the Year for the second time in his career, as the No. 10 ranked Northwestern football team saw 15 athletes recognized with all-conference honors.

"I am proud of this group and the work they put in this season," head coach Matt McCarty said. "They battled and overcame a lot of adversity to put us back in the postseason. These guys embody the culture of excellence in our program."

Parker Fryar – Hauff Mid-America Sports/GPAC Defensive Player of the Year; First Team (Linebacker)
Earning his second career GPAC Defensive Player of the Year award, Fryar is four-time selection to the All-GPAC team. In his return to the Raiders after a year at the Division I level, Fryar quickly made an impact with 82 tackles, one interception, and six tackles for loss on the season. He served as a leader on a Northwestern defense that allowed the second-fewest points per game in the NAIA. After a 12-tackle performance against Midland, Fryar was named NAIA Defensive Player of the Week. Individually, Fryar averaged 8.2 tackles per game and forced two fumbles.

Jacob Dragstra – First Team (Defensive Line)
A back-to-back First Team All-GPAC selection, Dragstra had another strong year on the defensive line for the Raiders. The junior from Sioux Center, Iowa picked up 26 tackles, four sacks, and 5.5 tackles for loss. He also had a forced fumble and a pass deflection. In an October 26 win over Dakota Wesleyan, Dragstra accumulated a career-high three sacks.

Austyn Gerard – First Team (Wide Receiver)
In a breakout season for the sophomore wideout, Gerard was Northwestern's top receiver with 36 catches for 748 yards and seven touchdowns. His 74.8 yards per game was good for fifth in the GPAC, with his seven touchdowns tying for fourth. On September 28 at Doane, Gerard marked a career-high with 212 receiving yards, including a 90-yard reception in the fourth quarter. It is the first career all-conference selection for Gerard.

Konner McQuillan – First Team (Running Back)
A five-time all-conference selection and four-time First Team honoree, McQuillan had another strong season on the ground. The senior back rushed for 692 yards and nine touchdowns, while adding 295 yards and a score through the air. McQuillan's 69.2 rushing yards per game averaged was the second best for his career, also averaging 5.4 yards per carry.

Cody Moser – First Team (Defensive Back)
In his second year at safety, Moser was named to his second all-conference First Team. The senior from Rock Valley, Iowa picked off two passes and broke up five attempts. He also had 19 tackles on the year and a tackle for loss.

Tristan Mulder – First Team (Linebacker)
Mulder picks up his second consecutive all-conference honor and his first selection to the First Team. A senior from Rock Valley, Iowa, he recorded 45 tackles, one sack, four tackles for loss, and an interception. On October 5 against Concordia, Mulder racked up a career-high 10 tackles.

Ty Schafer – First Team (Long Snapper)
Schafer played multiple roles for the Raiders again this season, lining up at wide receiver, fielding punt returns, and serving as the long snapper. The senior from Sioux Falls, South Dakota picks up his second consecutive First Team long snapper accolade, appearing in all 10 games at each position.

Eli Stader – First Team (Kicker)
The school record holder for longest field goal, Stader continues to break his own records, most recently converting from 60 yards in a win against Briar Cliff. He receives his fourth career all-conference honor, being named to the First Team for the first time since 2020. The senior from Cedar Grove, Wisconsin has made 11 of his 17 field goal attempts and is a perfect 34-for-34 on PATs this year. Stader was a two-time GPAC Special Teams Player of the Week this season.

Trystin Voss – First Team (Defensive Line)
A junior from Rogersville, Missouri, Voss had the best season of his career this year, receiving his first all-conference award. Entering the playoffs, he has 46 tackles, seven sacks, and 13 tackles for loss. His sacks total is fourth in the GPAC. On November 2 at Morningside, Voss picked up a career-high eight tackles.

Korver Demma – Second Team (Defensive Line)
In his first season with the Raiders, the redshirt freshman transfer recorded 30 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and eight tackles from the edge rusher position. He also forced and recovered two fumbles.

Ben Egli – Second Team (Linebacker)
A junior from Fort Dodge, Iowa, Egli notched 54 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks to be named to his second all-conference team. He had a season-high nine tackles and a crucial interception against Dordt, receiving GPAC Defensive Player of the Week honors.

Korver Hupke – Second Team (Offensive Line)
In his first season on the starting unit, Hupke started all 10 games for the Raiders. The sophomore from Independence, Iowa was part of a group that helped the Raiders run for 1,766 yards as a team, including a record-breaking 531 yards in last week's win over Briar Cliff. He receives his first all-conference honor in his second season in red.

Kole Telford – Second Team (Defensive Back)
The GPAC Defensive Player of the Week on October 20, Telford receives all-conference honors for the second consecutive season. He had a career-high four interceptions on the season, totaling 50 tackles and breaking up five passes. The senior from Rock Rapids, Iowa also was on kick returns for the Raiders, picking up 38 yards on three attempts.

Clayton Bosma – Honorable Mention (Defensive Back)
Bosma received NAIA Defensive Player of the Week accolades after he blocked a potential game-tying field goal in a 3-0 win at Dordt. In addition to the highlight play, Bosma had two interceptions, 29 tackles, and three breakups on the season. A senior from Sioux Center, Iowa, he receives his first all-conference honor.

Cameron Morgan – Honorable Mention (Offensive Line)
A senior from Stillwater, Minnesota, Morgan played in nine games after making four appearances last year. He receives his first all-conference accolade after an impressive year at the center position.

In addition to Fryar's Defensive Player of the Year honor, the GPAC named Morningside's Zach Chevalier Offensive Player of the Year and Steve Ryan GPAC Coach of the Year.

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

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Players Mentioned

#10 Clayton Bosma: DB; 6' 3"; Senior

#9 Jacob Dragstra: DL; 6' 0"; Junior

#34 Ben Egli: LB; 6' 1"; Junior

#7 Austyn Gerard: WR; 5' 11"; Sophomore

#77 Korver Hupke: OL; 6' 3"; Sophomore

#3 Konner McQuillan: RB; 6' 0"; Senior

#52 Cameron Morgan: OL; 6' 2"; Senior

#4 Cody Moser: DB; 6' 3"; Senior

#24 Tristan Mulder: LB; 6' 2"; Senior

#6 Ty Schafer: WR; 5' 11"; Senior

Players Mentioned

#10 Clayton Bosma
: 6' 3"; Senior
: DB

#9 Jacob Dragstra
: 6' 0"; Junior
: DL

#34 Ben Egli
: 6' 1"; Junior
: LB

#7 Austyn Gerard
: 5' 11"; Sophomore
: WR

#77 Korver Hupke
: 6' 3"; Sophomore
: OL

#3 Konner McQuillan
: 6' 0"; Senior
: RB

#52 Cameron Morgan
: 6' 2"; Senior
: OL

#4 Cody Moser
: 6' 3"; Senior
: DB

#24 Tristan Mulder
: 6' 2"; Senior
: LB

#6 Ty Schafer
: 5' 11"; Senior
: WR