RICHMOND, Va. --- Five student-athletes from ODAC member schools earned recognition from the Touchdown Club of Richmond on Thursday. Darrick Gore from Bridgewater College was named the Defensive Back of the Year, while his Eagles teammate Jordan Hartman received Specialist of the Year honors. Josh Doggett from Hampden-Sydney College was tabbed the Linebacker of the Year, while the Tigers' Holton Walker picked up co-Wide Receiver of the Year laurels. Randolph-Macon College's Tom Solak was named the Defensive Lineman of the Year.
The Touchdown Club of Richmond honors players at seven different positions in two groups across the state of Virginia. Group one consists of players from NCAA Division I (FBS and FCS) schools, while group two is comprised of NCAA Division II, III, NAIA and USCAA programs.
Full release by the Richmond Times Dispatch
Gore, a senior from Petersburg, Va., finished his final season with the Eagles with a career-high 87 tackles as he helped lead Bridgewater to an 8-2 season as the squad finished the year with the ODAC's top-rated defense. Gore's 87 tackles rank sixth in the ODAC and third among defensive backs. His 53 solo tackles lead the ODAC among defensive backs and rank in a tie for third overall in the league. His four interceptions rank fifth in the ODAC while the senior also returned one interception for a score with a 20-yard pick six in Bridgewater's 32-16 win at Apprentice. He also ended the year with six breakups and six tackles behind the line of scrimmage. Gore was named to the All-ODAC First Team.
Hartman, a senior from Winchester, Va., led the ODAC in every return category en route to earning first team honors as an all-purpose back. At the conclusion of the 2014 season, Hartman ranks fourth in the NCAA and tops in the South Region in punt return average with 19.5 yards per return. Hartman also served as the program's primary kick return specialist and ranks 32nd in the nation with a 26.1 average. He returned one kick for a score this season as he took back the opening kickoff of the second half against Hampden-Sydney. When Hartman's numbers are combined, he ranks second in all of Division III in combined return yards with 1,076 yards on 46 returns. His 1,076 combined return yards ranks eighth in the nation among all levels of NCAA competition.
Doggett, a senior from Mechanicsville, Va., picked up second-straight All-ODAC First Team honor this season. He led the Tigers and was fourth in the ODAC in total tackles with 94. He also had 7.0 for loss with 0.5 sacks, one interception, and three pass break ups. He recorded at least 10 tackles in four games, including a season-high 14 against Randolph-Macon. His efforts helped lead the Tigers to their second-straight and ninth overall ODAC title.
Walker, a senior from Lynchburg, Va., led the ODAC in receiving yards for the third consecutive season while earning his third first team nod. He caught 61 passes for 1,183 yards and 11 touchdowns. He concluded his career as one of the best receivers in program and ODAC history, holding six school records, including career touchdowns (39), single season touchdowns (16), single season receptions (111), and single season yards (1,723). Additionally, he's second in school history with 4,207 career yards and 250 career receptions. His 39 touchdowns catches are second all-time in the ODAC, while his 4,207 yards rank third.
Solak, a senior from Richmond, Va., earned a second straight All-ODAC First Team honor. He had 52 tackles in eight games, a average of 6.5 tackles per contest. He topped the ODAC with 1.81 tackles for loss per game, racking up an ODAC-best 14.5 total tackles for a loss. He cost opposing offenses 59 yards of total offense, the second-most in the league. Solak notched 5.5 quarterback sacks, two pass breakups, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble.
The Touchdown Club of Richmond Award winners, along with the winners of the Bill Dudley Award and the Willie Lanier Award, will be honored at the annual Dudley/Lanier Award Banquet on Dec. 10. The banquet will be held at 7:30 p.m. at the Hilton Richmond Hotel & Spa in Short Pump. Tickets are $40 and may be purchased by contacting Ron Axselle at coachax@verizon.net.
For more information on ODAC Football, visit the websites of any of the participating schools, or go to the ODAC's home on the Internet at www.odaconline.com. Don't forget to become a fan of the ODAC on Facebook and follow @odacathletics on Twitter.
Five Players Honored by Touchdown Club of Richmond
Posted: Dec 04, 2014