Jeff Voris Named PFL Coach Of The Year
Head coach Jeff Voris was selected as the Pioneer Football
League Coach of the Year and Butler had 14 players earn All-League
recognition on the 17th All-PFL Team, released by the league office
on Wednesday afternoon (Nov. 24). All selections were made by
a vote of league coaches, who were not permitted to vote for their
own players.
Voris, in his fourth season as Butler’s head coach, led the
Bulldogs, who were picked fifth in the PFL preseason poll, to a
share of the league championship and a school-record 10
victories. Butler rolled off nine consecutive wins, before
losing its only game of the season at Jacksonville. The
Bulldogs then finished their title run with a victory over Drake in
the final regular season game.
With the final win, Butler earned the right to host the Gridiron
Classic for the first time. The Bulldogs will play Northeast
Conference champion Central Connecticut State on Dec. 5 at 12 p.m.
(ET) at the Butler Bowl.
The PFL champion Bulldogs had ample representation on the All-PFL
squad. Sophomore wide receiver Zach Watkins, junior running
back Scott Gray, junior offensive lineman Donnie
Gilmore and senior defensive back Spencer Summerville each earned
first team All-League recognition. Watkins led the PFL in
receptions, while Gray finished third in the PFL in rushing.
Gilmore was a mainstay on Butler’s offensive line, which
helped the Bulldogs lead the league in total offense.
Summerville, an honorable mention All-PFL pick last year, was
Butler’s third-leading tackler.
Five Butler players were named second team All-PFL. On
offense, senior wide receiver Dan Bohrer, senior offensive lineman
Brian Crable and junior offensive lineman Mike Staniewicz were
picked, while junior defensive lineman Grant Hunter and sophomore
linebacker Nick Caldicott were selected on defense. Bohrer,
Butler’s all-time leader in receptions and touchdown catches,
ranked among the league leaders in receptions and receiving yards,
while Crable and Staniewicz helped Butler rank among the national
leaders in fewest quarterback sacks allowed. Hunter, a first
team All-PFL pick a year ago, missed three games with illness, but
still led the team and ranked among the league leaders in
quarterback sacks and tackles for loss. Caldicott tied for
Butler’s team lead in tackles this fall.
Butler also had five players earn honorable mention on the All-PFL
squad. Quarterback Andrew Huck, who ranked second in the PFL
in total offense, earned recognition on offense, while senior
linebacker Derek Guggenberger and sophomore defensive back Mark
Giacomantonio were tabbed on defense. Guggenberger tied
Caldicott for the team lead in tackles, while Giacomantonio tied
for the PFL lead in pass interceptions with five. Freshman
punter Michael Wilson, who had a league-high 27 punts inside the
20-yard line this season, and sophomore return specialist Jordan
Koopman, who led the PFL in kickoff returns, also received
honorable mention on the All-League team.
