SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. -- Shepherd University head football coach Monte Cater recently announced several team award winners at the annual team banquet. Four players were also announced as team captains for the 2007 season.

Redshirt-freshman offensive lineman Jeremy Hairston (LaPlata, MD/Lackey) was named Rookie of the Year. Hairston started all 12 games for the Rams and keyed an offensive line that helped Shepherd lead the WVIAC in rushing and scoring offense. The Rams also topped  the league in pass sacks allowed and ranked 12th nationally in that category.

Senior kicker/punter Ricky Schmitt (Virginia Beach, VA/Salem HS) earned Special Teams Player of the Year honors. Schmitt punted 41 times for a 42.7 average. He recorded six touchbacks, four fair catches, and 12 punts inside the 20-yard line. Only 20 of his punts were returned. Schmitt would have ranked fourth in NCAA II in punting average, but did not have enough punts to qualify for the national leaders. He also connected on 10-of-21 field goals and was a perfect 43-for-43 in extra points. Schmitt recently signed a free agent contract with the Arizona Cardinals.

Senior defensive lineman Nick Costello (Gaithersburg, MD/Quince Orchard) and sophomore defensive end Mike Spiegelberg (Silver Spring, MD/ Springbrook) shared Lineman of the Year honors. Costello recorded 31 tackles with 13 solo stops. He added eight tackles-for-loss and three sacks. He added an interception and a pass breakup. Spiegelberg registered 50 tackles with 20 solos. He led the team in tackles-for-loss with 17 and sacks with nine. He also added  three pass breakups and forced two fumbles.

Senior free safety Dan Peters (Cresson, PA/Penn Cambria) was named  Most Valuable Player. Peters, a consensus All-American selection, led Division II with a single-season record-tying 14 interceptions this season and became the first player in collegiate football history to repeat as a national interception champion in back-to-back seasons. His 32 career interceptions are a WVIAC record and are second all-time in Division II history. Peters also added 69 tackles and seven pass breakups.

Three seniors and one junior have been chosen as captains for the 2007 season. Senior outside linebacker Joey Hooks (Montgomery Village, MD/Watkins Mill), senior offensive lineman Clark Lanzendorf (Manassas, VA/Osbourn Park), senior running back Dervon Wallace (Lusby, MD/Calvert), and Spiegelberg were named team captains.