FLORENCE, Ala. - West Chester University senior QB Sean McCartney (Doylestown, Pa./Archbishop Wood) finished fifth in the national voting for the 2014 Harlon Hill Trophy, handed out to the Division II player of the year.
Ferris State (Mich.) University Jr., QB Jason Vander Laan claimed the Harlon Hill Trophy Friday. Vander Laan received 152 total points and held a slim eight-point margin over Henderson State (Ark.) University Sr., QB Kevin Rodgers at 143. Rodgers finished third in 2013. Lake Erie (Ohio) College Jr., RB Anthony Bilal was third in the 2014 voting with 61 points. Vander Laan's nine-point margin of victory made it the fourth closest voting in the 29-year history of the Hill Trophy.
The award winner is determined in voting by the Division II sports information directors and will be presented to Vander Laan on January 9 at a ceremony on the campus of the University of North Alabama, Hill's alma mater.McCartney's nomination as a finalist for the player of the year award marks the second straight season in which West Chester University has had a representative reach the final round of voting. Last year, senior running back Rondell White was named a finalist. McCartney is the third Golden Rams player to reach the final voting in head coach Bill Zwaan's tenure. Former wide receiver Mike Washington was also a finalist in 2008.
The Harlon Hill Trophy is sponsored by the City of Florence, Opti-Net, and Herff Jones.
Vander Laan, from Frankfort, Ill., ranked among Division II's leaders in both rushing and passing in 2014 and leads Division II in points responsible for (300) and points responsible for per game (25.0). He ranks 15th in the nation in rushing with 122.2 yards per game and is fifth in rushing touchdowns with 20. He averaged 6.2 yards per carry this season. Through the air, Vander Laan threw for 2,381 yards and 30 touchdowns and ranks third in the nation in passing efficiency and 16th in total offense (320.6).
Vander Laan led Ferris State to an 11-1 record this season that included a Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Championship and a berth in the NCAA Divison II Playoffs.
