Ewu’s Buzzard All-American

It’s been a remarkably upbeat season for Mike Kramer, but Eastern Washington’s fourth-year head coach found himself nursing mixed feelings Wednesday afternoon when the Associated Press announced its 1997 Division I-AA All-America football team.

Kramer was “thrilled” by the selection of senior offensive tackle Jim Buzzard to the first team, but obviously disappointed that no other player from his 12-1 Eagles, the winningest team in EWU history, was so honored.

“It just goes to show the blatant disregard voters have for the West,” Kramer said after learning that defensive tackle Chris Scott, the Big Sky Conference defensive player of the year, and running back Rex Prescott, Eastern’s all-time rushing leader, were snubbed as first-team selections.

Scott and Prescott, who rushed for a school-record 1,494 yards - the sixth-highest total in Big Sky history - were both named to the second team. Pre scott was selected as an all-purpose player, despite not having returned a punt or kickoff all season.

Eagles wide receiver Jeff Ogden and free safety Maurice Perigo were third-team selections, but quarterback Harry Leons, the Big Sky’s offensive player of the year, did not make any of the first three teams. Neither did linebacker Derek Strey, who was a third-team pick as a junior last season.

“Jim is really deserving of the recognition and first-team honor,” Kramer said of Buzzard, a 6-foot-3, 265-pounder who was a third-team selection last year. “He’s had another All-American season, but those other guys … my God.

“Some of (the selections) are by guess and some are by habit, I guess.”

Adding to Kramer’s disappointment was the fact that three Big Sky players - Montana linebacker Jason Crebo, Idaho State defensive back Trevor Bell and Weber State strong safety Scott Shields - were all named to the first-team defense ahead of Scott.

The only other Big Sky player named to the first team was Northern Arizona offensive lineman Dann Finn.

Youngstown State, Eastern’s opponent in Saturday’s 12:30 p.m. Division I-AA semifinal at Albi Stadium, placed two players on the first team - Harry Deligianis, a 6-4, 300-pound defensive end, and Matt Hogg, a 6-4, 315-pound offensive lineman.

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