7 Mounties Earn All-Frontier Honors
By Garrett Christensen on Wednesday, November 22nd, 2023 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
LA GRANDE – (Release from EOU) The 2023 All-Frontier Conference football teams and individual award winners were announced by the conference Monday morning. The award recipients are selected by the nine head coaches in the conference, who are not permitted to vote for their own players.
Eastern Oregon had seven players receive recognition headlined by two first-teamers in wide receiver Malachi Spurrier and linebacker Jason Grant. Earning Second Team honors was the 1-2 special teams punch for EOU, Andre Martinez and Parker Robinson. Eastern also had three honorable mention selections in James Gray (OL), Josh Mendoza (DB), and Blaine Shaw (DB). Concluding honors for Eastern was Walker Camp earning EOU’s Frontier Conference Champions of Character award.
Malachi Spurrier was once again EOU’s top offensive weapon in 2023. The redshirt junior led the Mounties in receiving with 920 yards, 8 touchdowns, and 67 receptions this fall. His 8 receiving touchdowns accounted for more than half of EOU’s passing touchdowns (14) this season.
Defensively, Jason Grant made strides and established himself as a top linebacker in the conference this season. A sophomore, Grant led the Mounties in tackling by a wide margin finishing the year with 81 tackles. He also proved to be a valuable asset defending against the pass with 2 interceptions and 2.5 sacks.
Rounding out selections on the first and second teams, Mounties kick returner Andre Martinez, and punt returner, Parker Robinson, each got a nod on the second team. Martinez was one of the most dangerous returners in the conference racking up 672 return yards on 28 attempts with a long of 52. Robinson, utilized on almost all special team units, was also the main punt returner for the Mounties averaging 8.5 yards per return this season.
To see the full list of 2023 All-Frontier Conference players click the link above.
