Danielle Orendi

JCU Notches 15 on All-OAC Football Team; Wrather, Montgomery, Schuckert Win Awards

11/26/2024 11:00:00 AM | By: Joe Ginley '16, SID

Matt Wrather won the Ken Wable Award, Tyren Montgomery won the Ed Sherman Award, and Owen Schuckert won the Special Teams Award

WESTERVILLE – For the final time, John Carroll Football has reeled in a host of awards from the Ohio Athletic Conference.

The Blue Streaks won a bevy of awards following an 8-1 mark in conference play and a second-place finish in the league. JCU notched 15 All-OAC selections.

Impressively, for the first time since 2013, three Blue Streaks notched individual awards. Headlining the awards is Matt Wrather, who becomes JCU's first-ever two-time winner of the Ken Wable Award as the OAC's top offensive lineman. Tyren Montgomery accepts the Ed Sherman Award, marking the first JCU receiver to garner the honor since Lane Robilotto in 2012. And the first Special Teams Player of the Year in conference history is Owen Schuckert.

Joining Montgomery, Schuckert, and Wrather on the First Team All-OAC squad are Luke Gibbons, Nathan Kovach, Grant Myers, Kenneth Rawls, Nick Semptimphelter, and Tyler Thimons.

Ben Day, Dorian Facen Jr, Jacob Hufnagel, and Lamar Thomas all garnered Second Team All-OAC recognition. Evan McVay and Jon Tomcufcik secured Honorable Mention distinction.

How's this for a fun fact: The last time that John Carroll had four first-team conference offensive linemen? 1939! Back when they were playing both ways, guards Fred Rancourt and Jim Morgan plus tackles Sam Marcus and Lou Sulzer all made The Plain Dealer First Team All-Big Four.

Matt Wrather helmed the offensive line all season, so it's fitting for him to make history as JCU's first two-time Ken Wable Winner. The preseason All-American pick has lived up to the hype as the centerpiece of a star offensive line. The Powell, Ohio native helped the offensive line lead the league in sacks allowed per game and passing efficiency. Off the field, Wrather has been just as fantastic, as the Allstate Good Works Team member has made a strong impact in the JCU community. This marks the seventh time a Blue Streak has won the Wable Award, and fourth time in the last five years.

Tyren Montgomery has burst onto the Division III scene with a speed rarely seen. The Texan – just the second-ever native of the Lonestar State to suit up for JCU Football – set the program record for receiving touchdowns in the final game of the regular season. Montgomery broke Marshall Howell's 10-year record in three fewer games, too. An OAC Player of the Week earlier in the season, the Nicholls State transfer needs just 80 more yards to break Howell's single-season receiving yards record. Montgomery is also tied for third all-time in single-season touchdowns with 20, tied for fifth in Division III.

Owen Schuckert cements his name as the OAC's first winner of its unnamed Special Teams Award. And for good reason, as Schuckert has quietly enjoyed a fantastic season. The junior helped JCU finish as the top team in the conference in the regular season in net punting. The Cuyahoga Heights native is averaging 40.4 yards per punt, with 11 of 36 punts landing inside the 20-yard line. Schuckert has 7 punts of 50+ yards, with a long of 61.

Nick Semptimphelter is the linchpin of the offense and thus deserving of a top conference selection. In his first season in University Heights, the grad transfer has been nothing short of spectacular. The Franklin, Tennessee native is tops in all of Division III with a 76.8% completion rate. His 37 passing touchdowns are second in program history, five away from breaking Mark Myers' 2014 record of 41, plus that's seventh in the country. A field general in every sense of the word, Semptimphelter makes excellent decisions in the pocket and guides the offense with precision. His 2,777 passing yards are ranked seventh in a season in program history.

Kenneth Rawls has been a primary target as a fellow grad transfer. The fellow Battle Ground Academy grad has been a red-zone weapon, as his 6 receiving touchdowns are second on the squad. The Nashville native has 21 catches for 314 yards, averaging 14.95 yards per catch. Just as impressively, the North Alabama transfer has been a great blocker, keying some important outside runs this season.

Luke Gibbons makes his second appearance on the first team list, and his third overall. Gibbons, who just made his 42nd start at JCU this past weekend, previously made the top team in 2022 and the second team in 2023. The starter at right guard, Gibbons has keyed the Blue Streaks' prolific passing attack and steady run game. The fifth-year veteran from Broadview Heights has been as reliable as they come.

Nathan Kovach ascends to the first team after garnering second team status in 2023. The Dublin Jerome grad has anchored the line from his spot at left tackle. But the graduate student has not been just a big body, but a quick tackle with good footwork who can pull on run plays. The veteran has of course been key in keeping Semptimphelter safe, but also plays an important role in the run game in his second year as a starter.

Grant Myers makes his debut appearance on the All-OAC squad in his first year as a starter. The junior missed all of his sophomore season with an injury, but has battled back with a force this year. The starter at right tackle, Myers has made an impact in both facets of the game for JCU. The Youngstown native is a great guy to have on your side in pass protection, and just as stout in moving defenders in the run game.

Tyler Thimons is the lone defender for John Carroll on the top team, making his first appearance. The graduate student is JCU's leading tackler, a star at linebacker. The Pittsburgher has 74 tackles, 19 more than JCU's second-leading tackler. The Bethel Park grad has added 5.5 tackles for loss as a steady force on the defense, providing veteran leadership for a defense that has often relied on young players this season.

Jacob Hufnagel is John Carroll's lone Second Team selection who makes his second appearance on the All-OAC team. A year ago, the talented corner burst onto the scene and earned Honorable Mention status. This season, the Pittsburgher moves up a notch. The sophomore has been a lockdown corner for JCU, despite missing a couple games. Hufnagel tops the team with 10 pass breakups, adding 2 interceptions. The 6'1 Upper St. Clair grad has tabbed 31 tackles on the year.

Lamar Thomas, a fellow star in the secondary, joins him on the second team. The junior has developed into a leader of the unit from his spot at safety. The Buffalo native is fourth on the squad with 42 tackles. The Canisius High School grad is second to Hufnagel with 8 pass breakups on the campaign. His leadership has been crucial for a unit that has relied upon younger players.

Ben Day has been a game-wrecker this season for the Blue Streaks. The Brecksville native has broken out at defensive end as a junior. Day is third on the squad in tackles with 44, but that's not all. Day has registered 7.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks as a consistent presence in opposing backfields. The Finance major has also added 4 pass breakups and a team-high 4 quarterback hurries.

Dorian Facen Jr has done strong work at wideout in his second season. The sophomore is second on the team with 43 catches and 529 yards. A great option in the passing game, the Buffalo native has also found the end zone four times this season. Opposing defenses can't ignore him, as he always has big-play potential.

Evan McVay becomes a three-time All-OAC selection by making the OAC's Honorable Mention list. The Aurora native previously made the cut as a second teamer in 2022 and 2023. The senior tops the team with 85 carries, notching 493 yards. But beyond that, McVay has developed a nose for the end zone, with 8 rushing touchdowns and 3 receiving touchdowns, second only to Montgomery in total TDs. The backfield has been a committee split this year, but McVay has done a great job in doing his share of the work.

Jon Tomcufcik rounds out the list, making the Honorable Mention team for the first time in his career. The tight end secured this recognition not just for his receiving skills, but his blocking. The fifth-year man has been an absolute weapon in the run game. The Kenston grad consistently opens holes for the running backs with his excellent blocks.

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