Valparaiso University freshman Bailey Gessinger (Goshen, Ind. / Northwood) finished his rookie football campaign with postseason honors on Tuesday.

Gessinger was named to the all Pioneer Football League second-team, based on selections made by the league’s coaches. In addition, six Crusaders earned all-PFL honorable mention.

The Valpo kick return specialist ranked second in the league in kickoff return average with 24.4 yards per kickoff return. He led the league in total return yards with 757 and had two kickoff return touchdowns, while the rest of the league totaled one (Dayton’s Cameron Stubbs). Gessinger tied for first in the FCS nation in kickoff return TDs. He was one of three players in the nation with two kickoff returns for scores.

Junior wide receiver Frank Catrine (Springboro, Ohio / Bishop Fenwick), junior running back Jarrett Morgan (Cooper City, Fla. / Cooper City), redshirt junior offensive lineman Brian Lang (Chicago, Ill. / Marist), redshirt junior defensive lineman Brandon Doepke (Fitchburg, Wis. / Madison West), sophomore linebacker Drew Snouffer (Columbus, Ohio / Upper Arlington) and junior defensive back Kellan Hughes (Cicero, Ind. / Hamilton Heights) all received PFL honorable mention recognition.

Snouffer ranked fourth in the PFL with 9.3 tackles per game and was one of four PFL players who reached the 100-tackle mark (102). He also totaled four sacks and two fumble recoveries.

Hughes finished second among PFL defensive backs with 7.6 tackles per game and 84 total tackles. He tied for eighth among all PFL players. Hughes added two interceptions and six pass breakups.

Doepke made a return to the field after missing back-to-back seasons with injuries. He had 41 tackles, 18 solos. Morgan led the team and ranked 10^th in the PFL in rushing at 57.6 yards per carry. He was seventh in the PFL in all-purpose yards at 94.0 per contest. Catrine led Valpo in receptions per game with 4.7, placing seventh in the league. He averaged 11.8 yards per catch and hauled in three TDs.

Gessinger, Catrine, Morgan, Snouffer and Hughes are all expected to return next season for a Valpo team that retains the bulk of its key players from this year’s four-win season.

2016 Pioneer Football League Major Award Winners
(announced Monday)

Offensive Player of the Year: Jonah Hodges, San Diego

Defensive Player of the Year: Donald Payne, Stetson

Special Teams Player of the Year: Josh Lee, Drake

Freshman Offensive Player of the Year: Stockton McGuire, Davidson

Freshman Defensive Player of the Year: Peter Delatour, Marist

Coach of the Year: Dale Lindsey, San Diego

Scholar-Athlete of the Year: To be announced, Wednesday

2016 All-Pioneer Football League Honorable Mention

BUTLER: Cord Collier (TE); David Starkey (LB); Ethan Brunhofer (LB); Sean Horan (LB); Isaak Newhouse (DB); Ian Dobek (P); Connor Andras (LS). CAMPBELL: Austin Fleming (TE); Brian Stryffeler (OL); Laurin O’Briant (OL); Darren Flowers (DL); Jack Ryan (LB); Daniel Bostick (LB); Greg Cunningham (DB). DAVIDSON: Jaris Scott (WR); Chase Davis (OL); Thomas Sykes (DL); Nate Casey (LB); Jaylen Mize (DB); Jon Cook (P); Conrad Mueller (LS). DAYTON: Jack Euritt (WR); Alex Jeske (QB); Ben Gauthier (OL); David Leisering (DB). DRAKE: Grant Menard (WR); Keegan Gallery (WR); Payson Wick (OL); Ryan Lemke (OL); Mack Marrin (DL); Nathan Clayberg (DL); Tanner Evans (DL); Michael Roane (LB); Caz Zyks (DB); Terry Wallen (RS); Brady Eckert (LS). JACKSONVILLE: Prince Gray (WR); Jared Morris (FB); Jake Howell (OL); Andrew Guthart (OL); Nick McKenney (OL); Robert Ritterhoff (OL); Jareeq Crenshaw (DL); Harrison Rodormer (LB); KJ Jenkins (DB); Armani Sampson (DB); Prince Gray (RS). MARIST: Lawrence Dickens (WR); Marcellus Calhoun (RB); Richard Duncan-Murphy (OL); Cam Gibson (DB); Jordyn Jean-Felix (DB); Mike Marston (DB); Mike Maccarone (PK). MOREHEAD STATE: Austin Gahafer (QB); Kyler Corbett (OL); Dustin Casey (DL); Brandon Louder (DB); Braylyn Cook (DB); Pat DiSalvio (P). SAN DIEGO: Jereke Armstrong (RB); Jalen Smith (DL); Jamal Newman (DL); Jack Flatau (P); Jamal Agnew (RS). STETSON: Kegan Moore (WR); Mike Yonker (FB); Pat Fogarty (OL); Kegan Moore (RS). VALPARAISO: Frank Catrine (WR); Jarret Morgan (RB); Brian Lang (OL); Brandon Doepke (DL); Drew Snouffer (LB); Kellan Hughes (DB).