A pair of Lowry High School graduates and former Buckaroo football players have been named to the 2015 NAIA College Football All-American football team.
Will Thacker, a member of Montana Western in Dillon, Mont., was named to the first team as an offensive lineman. He is joined by 23 other players from around the country to be named to the first team.
Thacker gained first team all-conference honors for his steady and powerful play at his right guard position in 2014. The 2014 selection was his second consecutive all-conference selection as he was selected to the second team following his sophomore campaign. Thacker, at 6-foot-1 and 290 pounds, anchors the Bulldog offensive line. His combination of agility and power helped lead the Bulldog offense to 2,300 yards rushing for an average of 209.1 yards a game.
Montana Western was selected to finish in the Frontier Conference by the league’s coaches. The Frontier Conference is considered one of the toughest in the NAIA.
Carroll College was chosen to win the league and Southern Oregon, the defending NAIA national champion was picked to finish a close second.
Jace Billingsley, from Eastern Oregon University in La Grande, Ore., was named to the NAIA All-American second team at wide receiver.
Last season Billingsley was named the NAIA National Player of the Week and he also received Offensive Player of the Year honors from Eastern Oregon.
In 2014, Billingsley was named to the Frontier Conference second team at wide receiver. He led the team with 59 receptions and 637 yards on the season. He also rushed for a team-high 870 yards on 125 carries, including a career-high 245 yards on 45 carries against Southern Oregon.
Eastern Oregon has been picked third in the Frontier Conference preseason poll. Eastern Oregon concluded its season last year by beating Southern Oregon, but did not get a spot in the postseason despite the win.
In addition, Billingsley and Thacker were named to the 2014 Academic All-Conference team. Both players are entering their senior season with their respective schools.
