Two Jimmies named to team

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Two Jamestown College players have been named to the USA College Sports, Inc. 20th Annual USA College Football NAIA Pre-Season All-American team.

Seniors A.J. Downs and Lance Johansen have been selected to the teams.

Downs, a 5-foot-8, 180-pound cornerback out of Los Angeles, was named second team defense. Downs collected several postseason awards last season for the Jimmies after coming up with three interceptions and 45 tackles.

It was Downs’ first year in the program. He also saw limited action on punt and kickoff returns. He’s one of 18 total returning starters for the Jimmies, who went 3-7 last season.

Johansen, a Devils Lake product, was named as a third team kick return specialist. He averaged 11.3 yards per punt return.

Johansen will again be one of the Jimmies top offensive playmakers. He averaged a whopping seven yards per rush last season, gaining 712 yards on 98 carries. He scored seven rushing touchdowns and also had one receiving. He finished with nearly 1,100 yards of total offense.

He figures to again team with junior Matt Mithaugen to give new head coach Shawn Frank and first-year offensive coordinator Tim Belmore a strong 1-2 punch in the backfield.

The Jimmies begin fall camp in early August in preparation for their season-opener Aug. 24 against Rocky Mountain College (5-6 2011) in Miles City, Mont. Their first home game is Sept. 1 against the Concordia Cobbers (6-4 2011).

Valley City State had two players named to the team. Tight end Ken Eliacin was named to the first-team. Senior quarterback Tommy Zinke was named to the third team.

The Vikings went 9-2 last season and advanced to the NAIA playoffs.

Valley City State was ranked 16th in the team poll. Defending champion St. Xavier (Ill.) is ranked No. 1.

The Jimmies host the Vikings Sept. 22 and play in Valley City Oct. 20.

The USA College Sports All-American teams were selected by coaches, sports information directors, certified players’ agents, pro scouts, national media reporters and the staff of USA Football News.

Sun sports editor Dave Selvig can be reached at (701) 952-8460 or by e-mail at dselvig@jamestownsun.com

Tags: sports, jimmies, football