Player News - McCartney Finishes Fifth in Harlon Hill Ballot

West Chester quarterback Sean McCartney finished fifth in the voting for the Harlon Hill Trophy which is presented annually to the Division II Football Player of the Year. Ferris State quarterback Jason Vander Laan won the award. McCartney received five first place votes, eight second place votes and nine third place votes for a total of 40 points. Vander Laan had 152 points and was followed by Henderson State quarterback Kevin Rodgers (143 points) and Lake Erie running back Anthony Bilal (61 points).

This ties the highest finish ever for a West Chester player since the award began in 1986. Former Golden Ram running back Rondell White finished fifth in 2013 and wide receiver Bill Hess finished tied for fifth in 1988. This also marks just the 17th time in the history of the Harlon Hill that a school has had two different players as finalists in back-to-back years with the last time coming in 2008 and 2009 by both North Alabama and Minnesota Duluth. West Chester is one of only three schools, along with New Haven and Portland St, to have two different finalists in back-to-back years twice. Before White and McCartney did it in 2013 and 2014, quarterback Al Niemela and Hess did it in 1987 and 1988.

McCartney had a record of 23-4 over the past two years (Photo Bert Garbutt)

McCartney becomes one of the most decorated quarterbacks in Golden Ram football history. This season, the team co-captain was named PSAC East Offensive Player of the Week twice (Millersville and Shippensburg), first team All-PSAC East, PSAC East Offensive Player of the Year, first team Daktronics All-Super Region 1, first team Beyond Sports Network All-Super Region 1, and second team Beyond Sports Network All-American. McCartney becomes the second quarterback to lead the Golden Rams into the playoffs in back-to-back seasons, following in the shoes of current West Chester offensive coordinator Bill Zwaan, Jr. who achieved the feat in 2006 and 2007.

West Chester Athletic Site - Sean McCartney Fifth In Harlon Hill Voting

Harlon Hill Trophy - Jason Vander Laan of Ferris State Wins 2014 Hill Trophy as Division II Football Player of the Year