Five Saddleback Sophomores Honored By National Football Foundation

Five members of the 2015 Saddleback College football team were recently honored as National Football Foundation Scholar-Athletes during an awards dinner hosted by the Orange County Chapter.

Center Markus Boyer, linebacker/fullback Landon Cook, safety Marcus Meredith, quarterback Johnny Stanton, and lineback Connor Toohey were five of only six Orange County community college football players honored.  In order to be honored, students needed to have at least a 3.30 GPA, been selected first-team all-league, and been highly recommended by a sportswriter or coach.

Stanton was the SCFA National Division, Southern League offensive player of the year after piloting Saddleback's offensive unit and throwing for 3,168 yards and 25 touchdowns while also leading the team in rushing (705 yards and 12 touchdowns).

Boyer and Cook were unanimous selections to the first-team all-league on offense while Meredith and Toohey were unanimous selections to the first-team all-league on defense.  Meredith accounted for 90 tackles, broke up nine passes, and had two interceptions while Toohey added 56 tackles and broke up two passes.

Saddleback posted a 10-3 record, winning 10 straight games after starting the season 0-2.  During the winning streak, the Gauchos captured the Southern League title for the first time in three years and captured the SCFA championship, earning their first-ever trip to the state championship game.  Saddleback had the 10-game winning streak snapped by City College of San Francisco in the CCCAA State Championship game, 26-14. 

Pictured are, left to right, Markus Boyer, Landon Cook, Connor Toohey, Head Coach Mark McElroy.  Meredith (Murray State) and Stanton (UNLV) have transferred to four-year universities and were unable to attend the awards dinner.