Huntingdon’s Chappell and Manuel named preseason All-Americans

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Two Huntingdon football players were recognized as preseason All-Americans by D3football.com on Wednesday.

Senior defensive lineman D.J. Chappell was named to the first team and senior running back Trevor Manuel was named to the second-team.

"This is great recognition for both of them," Huntingdon head coach Mike Turk said. "Both of them have had great careers here. They have been contributors and they've helped us win a lot of games the past three seasons. I hope this will help motivate them to finish their careers in the right way."

Chappell was an honorable mention All-American selection and a first-team All-South Region pick last December. As a defensive tackle, Chappell was Huntingdon's third leading tackler with 54 stops last season. The Montgomery native led the team with eight sacks and 14 tackles for loss and also had two fumble recoveries.

In three seasons, Chappell has 107 tackles, 16 ½ sacks, 27 ½ tackles for loss, four recovered fumbles and two forced fumbles. In the Huntingdon record book, he ranks second all time in sacks and third in tackles for loss.

Manuel was a second-team All-South Region selection as a junior, rushing for 973 yards and 15 touchdowns on 222 carries. The Monroeville native also passed for 100 yards and four touchdowns, had 24 receptions for 296 yards and three touchdowns and returned 22 punts or kicks for 269 yards.

Huntingdon's career leader in rushing yards (2,075), rushing attempts (428) and rushing touchdowns (27), Manuel has made his mark in several of Huntingdon's career categories. Entering his senior season, he ranks in the top-10 in passing touchdowns, receptions, receiving yards, punt returns, punt return yards, punt return average, kick returns, kick return yards and kick return average.

Huntingdon opens the season at home on Sept. 1 against Maryville. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Samford Stadium.

To view the complete d3football.com preseason All-American teams, go to http://www.d3football.com/awards/all-americans/2012-preseason