EOU Football’s DeLong and Van Wyck Earn AFCA All-America Honors
By Paul Hall on Friday, December 17th, 2021 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
LA GRANDE – (Information provided by EOU Athletics) The 2021 AFCA NAIA Coaches’ All-America Teams were announced today by the American Football Coaches Association. The Mountaineer Football team was represented by two defensive linemen, Sage DeLong and Chase Van Wyck. DeLong earned a spot on the All-America First-Team Defense while Van Wyck earned a Honorable Mention nod.
This duo is no stranger to post season recognition. In November both DeLong and Van Wyck were listed as First Team All-Conference for the 2021 season and even shared Co-Defensive Player of the Year award for the Frontier Conference. DeLong picked up his first career Defensive Player of the Year award and his third All-Conference honors, with all three as a First-Team member.
Despite playing in just seven games, DeLong made an immediate impact when he was on the field for the Mounties. Defensive Coordinator Bryan Mills, In just his second season coaching DeLong said, “He was someone other teams had to prepare for, he was tenacious and was always a dominant force on the defensive end.” He was the team leader in both tackles for loss and sacks at 17.5 and 10.0, respectively. He was fourth on the team in total tackles with 52 and had 32 be on a solo effort. His 32 solo tackles were second most for the Mountaineers. Head Coach Tim Camp has known the defensive lineman from his younger football days back when he was playing in his hometown of Vale, Oregon. “I love that kid,” said Camp, “I always knew he was going to be special. He has done a lot of things right for EOU, we are lucky he chose to be a Mountaineer.” DeLong leaves Eastern second all-time in career sacks and tackles for loss with 26.0 an d51.5, respectively. Grabbing AFCA First-Team All America wraps up a successful year and collegiate career for DeLong.
With the Honorable Mention nod, Van Wyck adds to his career accolades after also earning his third straight First Team All-Conference honor and second straight Defensive Player of the Year award. The Napavine, Wash. native was a key anchor on the EOU defense totaling 16.5 tackles for loss and 7.0 sacks. Both totals were second on the team. He was also third in total tackles with 54 and had 31 be unassisted. He also forced one fumble, recovered two, and blocked a kick during the 2021 campaign. For his career, Van Wyck leaves EOU third all-time in career tackles for loss and sacks with 48.5 and 24.5, respectively. He also ranks 10th all-time in career total tackles with 246.
