PRESS RELEASE - Texas A&M University-Commerce senior quarterback Luis Perez of Chula Vista, California has claimed the 2017 Harlon Hill Trophy as the Division II College Football Player of the Year.

Perez received 198 total points and held a commanding 63-point margin over Gannon University junior running back Marc Jones at 135. Slippery Rock University senior defensive lineman Marcus Martin finished third at 96, marking the highest finish by a defensive lineman in the award's 32-year history.

The award winner is determined in voting by the Division II sports information directors.

Perez, who has led Texas A&M-Commerce to a 13-1 record and into Saturday's (Dec. 16) NCAA Division II National Championship Game, was on 85 of the 106 total ballots cast. He will be just the seventh Hill winner to also play in the Division II National Championship Game in the same season that he won the award. Five of the previous Hill winners, Jeff Bentrim of North Dakota State (1986), Chris Simdorn of North Dakota State (1990), Ronnie West of Pittsburg State (1991), Ronald McKinnon of North Alabama (1995) and Curt Anes of Grand Valley State (2002) also led their teams to the national championship the day after winning the Hill Trophy. Pittsburg State's Ronald Moore (1992) is the only Hill winner to play on the losing team in the championship game.

The Hill Trophy will be presented to Perez on Friday, January 5 at a ceremony on the campus of the University of North Alabama, Hill's alma mater.

*****

Makin the trip down to Commerce, Texas last week was completely worth it. The semifinal game was a great game to see in person. The Lions had a gridlock battle with the Harding Bisons until the 4th Quarter, when Commerce was able to put the game out of reach.

Apparently, one of my Twitter posts made the NCAA.com write-up about the Commerce Lions. http://www.ncaa.com/news/football/ar...take-thing-topWINONA STATE


CENTRAL WASHINGTON


MSU MANKATO


HARDING


Press Conference after Harding Game



Pre-Game Conferences for National Title






NCAA DIVISION 2 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
Players to Watch:

West Florida ArgonautsTexas A&M Commerce LionsGame Analysis:ToTheTopTexas A&M Commerce 35 West Florida 28


Be safe and God Bless!
Joe Price, D2Football.com
#24Strong