WALESKA, Ga. – The University of Pikeville had 14 all-conference selections, with one unique one, and the most academic honorees in the Appalachian Athletics Conference as the honors were announced on Tuesday.
 
The Bears had eight first-team all-conference picks, with sophomore running back Amon Williams named two times – at his position and the all-purpose position.
 
Six teammates were honored on the second-team all-conference, with one member of the Champions of Character Team.
 
And, 34 Bears were named to the All-Academic Team.
 
Williams was honored twice. The 5-7, 179-pound sophomore from Cumming, Ga., finished the season with 753 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns in nine games. He averaged 4.5 yards per carry.
 
He was honored in the all-purpose category because he also hauled in 56 catches for 348 yards and another score. Finally, he wrapped up a stretch of 16 consecutive games scoring a touchdown.
 
Williams has entered the off-season in a three-way tie for the most touchdowns in school history, having scored 30 in his first two seasons as a Bear.
 
Wide receiver Jordan Williams joined him on the first team.
 
A 5-10, 179-pound senior from Inland Empire, Calif., Williams set school records for catches in a season with 98, for receiving yards with 944 and for receiving yards in a game, averaging 94.4 this season. In addition, Williams found the end zone five times.
 
Grant Scott was named the first-team tight end. A 6-4, 242-pound junior from Pikeville, Scott caught 34 passes for 478 yards and three touchdowns.
 
Mikah Lee was one of five members of the first-team offensive line. A 6-4, 278-pound graduate student from Louisville, Lee anchored the offensive line that led the league in yard per game from scrimmage with 462.8 as well as in passing yards with 3,646.
 
Two UPike linebackers were named first-team all-conference, as Najmir Bellegarde and Levi Evans – who were first and second on the team in tackles – were selected.
 
Evans is a 6-2, 237-pound sophomore from Kingsport, Tenn., led the Bears in all three tackle categories. He had 70 total tackles, 45 solos and 25 assists. He also had 16 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, four pass breakups, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery. He also blocked four kicks on the season.
 
Bellegarde, a 6-4, 204-pound sophomore from Dallas, Ga., had 64 tackles, 44 of which were solos. He totaled 11 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. He also forced two fumbles, recovered one and had an interception.
 
Punter Alex Hatton was also on the first team. The 6-4, 212-pound sophomore from Mt. Sterling averaged 40.83 yards per punt, buried the opponent inside the 20-yard line 13 times and had six punts travel at least 50 yards, including a season-best 65 yarder.
 
Quarterback Xavier Malone was one of six Bears named second-team all-conference. Malone is a 6-1, 187-pound graduate student from Knoxville, Tenn.
 
Malone finished the season 318 for 461, a completion percentage of 69.0, throwing for 3,492 yards – and led the AAC in all four categories. His 349.2 yards per game not only lead the league but also was the best in the country.
 
He threw for 24 touchdowns, which was second in the conference, and also ran for three scores.
 
Brandon Newton joined him on the second team. A 6-0, 194-pound senior from Fairfield, Calif., Newton caught 47 passes for 726 yards, and his eight touchdowns was second in the league.
 
Offensive lineman Zackary Brooks was also on the second team. A 6-5, 315-pound sophomore from Pikeville, Brooks had a solid first season in the starting lineup where he helped the Bears to league-leading numbers in yards per game and receiving yards.
 
Placekicker Isaac Smith is a 6-1, 175-pound redshirt freshman from Hixon, Tenn., who led the team in scoring thanks to a perfect 45-for-45 on extra-points, the first time in school history a kicker made 100 percent of his PATs. He also nailed 11 field goals. His 73 points was third in the league.
 
Defensive linemen Landon Rowe and Jeff Flowers were also on the second team.
 
Flowers is a 6-2, 230-pound graduate student who plays defensive end. He recorded a team-best 4.5 sacks as part of 24 tackles, eight of which were for loss. He also forced a fumble.
 
Rowe, a 6-1, 282-pound junior from Pikeville, had 20 tackles, 14 of which were solos. He also recorded two sacks, a fumble recovery and blocked a kick.
 
Dige Savage was one of five players named to the Champions of Character Team. This award honors players who best represent the five core character values the NAIA embraces, which are respect, integrity, responsibility, servant leadership and sportsmanship.
 
Bellegarde, Hatton, Malone, Savage, Scott, Amon Williams and Jordan Williams were among the 34 All-Academic Team members the Bears had.
 
They were joined by Michael Akins, Drew Berry, Kirsten Callahan, Zachary Cantrell, Trevor Carter, Drew Castle, Andy Castro-Skeans, William Cvar, Jalen Flowers, Montavious Hughes, Ian McCarty, Chase Mims, Chuck Moore, Zach Morris, Marcus Nunes, Russ Osborne, Jayden Pepper, Parker Preece, Bradyn Price, Jordan Ratliff, Brayden Reed, Mason Sayers, Peyton Sayers, Jacoby Thornsbury, Tommy Turner, Damion Watts and Adam Wooton.