Nov. 15, 2007

Bay City, Mich. - Grand Valley State placed 20 student-athletes on the 2007 All-GLIAC teams it was announced Wednesday by the league office. In addition, fourth-year head coach Chuck Martin was named the GLIAC Coach of the Year for the first time in his career, while OT Brandon Barnes picked up his second straight GLIAC Offensive Lineman of the Year award, CB Brandon Carr was named the Defensive Back of the Year and RB James Berezik was named the GLIAC Freshman of the Year.

Fourth-year Grand Valley State head coach Chuck Martin led the Lakers to their third-straight GLIAC title and third-consecutive undefeated regular season. Grand Valley State set the all-time Division II record for consecutive wins (38), while also establishing a GLIAC mark for consecutive wins (30). Martin has guided the two-time defending NCAA DII Champion Laker football squad to a 48-3 mark during his four-years at the helm. GVSU has been ranked #1 in the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Division II poll since Sept. 20, 2005. Berezik set the GVSU freshman rushing record with 812 yards and eight touchdowns on 103 carries this season. Berezik, who is averaging 7.9 yards per carry, broke the 100-yard rushing mark three times during his freshman campaign. Berezik also led GVSU in all-purpose yards (1,179) in 2007. Carr tallied two interceptions, nine pass deflections, 30 tackles and a fumble recovery from his cornerback position this season. A two-time First-Team All-GLIAC selection, Carr is 8th on the NCAA DII all-time career passes defended list with 46. Carr has 35 pass deflections and 11 career interceptions. Barnes was named the GLIAC Offensive Lineman of the Year for the second straight year. A three-time First-Team All-GLIAC honoree, Barnes led a Laker starting offensive line that helped GVSU average better than 235 yards rushing and receiving and yielded just five QB sacks on the year.

Senior WR Antione Trent (Grand Rapids, Mich./Ottawa Hills) picked up First-Team All-GLIAC plaudits for the second straight year, while junior tight end Scott Blasko (Lansing, Mich.) earned First-Team All-GLIAC plaudits for the first time in his career. Junior OC Billy Eisenhardt (Macomb, Mich./Dakota), who was a second-team honoree as a sophomore, earned first-team laurels this season. Senior OT Brandon Barnes became the first offensive lineman to earn four All-GLIAC honors during his career. Barnes was a three-time, First-Team All-GLIAC performer and was named the GLIAC Offensive Lineman of the Year twice.

Five Lakers garnered First-Team All-GLIAC plaudits on the defensive side of the ball. Senior LB Anthony Adams (Troy, Mich.) and senior CB Brandon Carr (Flint, Mich./Carman-Ainsworth) both earned first-team plaudits for the second straight year. DL Dan Skuta (Flint, Mich./Carman-Ainsworth) garnered first-team honors on the defensive line, while Kirk Carruth (Saginaw, Mich.) was tabbed a first-team honoree as a linebacker. Carruth was tabbed as a second-team performer in 2006. Senior CB Bill Brechin (Addison, Ill./Addison Trail) earned First-Team All-GLAIC laurels for the first time in his career.

Senior RB Preston Garris (Muskegon, Mich./Mona Shores), senior WR Brandon Horn (Farmington Hills, Mich./Country Day) and senior OG Sean Stevens (Grand Ledge, Mich.) each garnered Second-Team Offensive All-GLIAC plaudits, while DL Ryan Gadosh (Medina, Ohio) and DB Jacob McGuckin (Allen Park, Mich.) earned Second-Team Defensive All-GLIAC honors. Junior OT Sam Allen (Lansing, Mich./Sexton), senior LB Matt Beaty (Detroit, Mich./Cass Tech), senior OL Jacob Henige (Chesaning, Mich.), sophomore QB Brad Iciek (Grandville, Mich.), sophomore RB Blake Smolen (Grosse Ile, Mich.) and redshirt freshman DL Danny Richard (West Bloomfield, Mich.) all earned honorable mention honors.

Grand Valley State, the 2007 GLIAC Champions, enter the 2007 NCAA DII Playoffs with an NCAA DII record 38-game winnning streak. The two-time defending NCAA DII National Champions have also won eight straight playoff games and 21-of-their-last-23.