YSU gets four first-team berths on All-Gateway

Senior linebacker James Terry was chosen for the third straight year.

YOUNGSTOWN — Youngstown State senior linebacker James Terry’s third straight first-team All-Gateway Conference selection headlined a group of four first-team picks and 13 overall Penguin players who were named all-conference, the Gateway announced on Tuesday.

Terry (Stafford, Va.) becomes just the second player in school history to be tabbed a three-time first-team all-conference performer. Penguin free safety Dwyte Smiley was a three-time selection from 1997-1999.

Joining Terry on the Gateway’s first team were junior wide receiver Ferlando Williams (Warner Robins, Ga.), junior offensive tackle Brad Samsa (Warren) and junior defensive tackle Mychal Savage (Hartsdale, N.Y.).

Savage was a first-team All-Gateway selection as a sophomore in 2006 while Samsa was a second-team All-Gateway selection in 2006, also as a sophomore.

Terry finished the season with 65 total tackles, including a team-high 11 tackles for losses and 5.5 sacks. Williams scored a total of 11 touchdowns, catching 42 passes for 499 yards and rushing for 464 yards on 76 attempts.

Savage finished the year with 43 total tackles, including 26 solo stops and 4 1/2 sacks. Samsa started the first three games at guard before starting the final eight at tackle. He has started the last 26 games for the Penguins on the line.

On the second team were, junior tight end Derrick Bush (Circleville), junior placekicker Brian Palmer (Mineral Ridge), senior offensive guard Josh Tanner (Orlando, Fla.), senior quarterback Tom Zetts (Boardman), senior defensive end Myles Banford (Anaheim, Calif.) and senior strong safety Vince Gliatta (Canton).

Of that group, Zetts had previously been selected honorable mention All-Gateway in 2006.

Three Penguins earned Honorable Mention accolades. Senior linebacker Jeremiah Wright (Orlando, Fla.), redshirt freshman defensive tackle Torrance Nicholson (Columbus) and sophomore punter Ben Nowicki (Gilbert, Ariz.) all earned Honorable-Mention honors.

For Wright it was his second career all-conference award after being named second-team All-Gateway in 2004.