Campbell, Davidson players earn Pioneer League football honors

The Camels and Wilcats each placed two players each on the All-Pioneer Football League first team, the conference announced Tuesday

Emmanuel Olenga was one of two Campbell players to earn first team all-Pioneer Football League honors Tuesday (Campbell athletic communications photo)

  Campbell and Davidson placed two players each on the All-Pioneer Football League first team, the conference announced Tuesday.

  Sophomore defensive lineman Emmanuel Olenga and senior defensive back Carlos Merritt were the Camels’ two selections in their final Pioneer League season. Campbell will move up to scholarship status as a member of the Big South Conference in 2018.

  The Wildcats are represented by freshman running back Wesley Dugger and senior long snapper Conrad Mueller.

  Another player with North Carolina ties, senior offensive lineman Joe Hurney from Charlotte, also earned first-team recognition while playing for the University of San Diego.

  Among those earning second-team all-conference mention are junior wide receiver Aaron Blockman, freshman quarterback Daniel Smith and junior offensive lineman Shuler Littleton of Campbell, along with placekicker Trevor Smith of Davidson.

  Campbell’s Smith, who led all FCS freshmen and quarterbacks by rushing for 1,272 yards this season, was previously named the Pioneer League’s Offensive Rookie of the Year.

  The selections were made by a vote of the league’s head coaches.