Nov. 28, 2007

CANYON, Texas -After playing standout roles in the Buffs' run to a third straight Lone Star Conference Championship and NCAA-II playoff appearance this season, five members of the West Texas A&M football team have been selected to the 2007 Daktronics All-Southwest Region team. Senior tight end Kolo Kapanui, junior defensive end Brandon Swain and junior linebacker Jared Brock highlight the WT first team contingency, while junior wide receiver Charly Martin and junior cornerback Cashmin Thomas earned second team accolades.

Kapanui, a Palolo, Hawaii native, has been a major threat in the Buffs' high-powered passing attack, catching 65 passes for 767 yards and nine touchdowns. Following an injury-plagued junior season that saw him play in only six games, Kapanui returned to play in all 13 games this season and put up impressive numbers in 2007, catching 39 passes for 481 yards and seven touchdowns. His best game this season came in a 41-31 road win against conference rival Abilene Christian, when he caught six passes for 101 yards and a touchdown.

Junior defensive end Brandon Swain

Swain was a pleasant surprise during his first season in Canyon, leading the conference in sacks (11), tackles for loss (21.5), forced fumbles (4) and fumbles recovered (3). The Tulsa, Okla., native was selected Lone Star Conference Defensive lineman of the Year and is a finalist for the Gene Upshaw award, which is given annually to Division II's top lineman. He posted multiple sacks in three games on the year and posted a career-high 10 tackles in the Buffs' season opening win over No. 9 South Dakota. Swain scored his first career touchdown in WT's playoff contest at Northwest Missouri State as he intercepted a batted ball and returned the pick 18 yards for a Buff score.

Junior linebacker Jared Brock

Brock, meanwhile, was again solid after garnering All-American honors a season ago, leading the Buffs in tackles with 86, a figure that includes 42 solo stops. Additionally, he has also contributed 14 tackles for loss, three sacks, two interceptions, eight pass break-ups and 10 quarterback hurries on his way to being honored as LSC Defensive Player of the Week twice, first team All-LSC South and LSC South Linebacker of the Year.

Representing the Buffs on the second team, were Martin, a 2006 All-America selection who led WT with 927 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns on 67 catches, and Thomas, who piled up a team-best 12 pass break-ups and five interceptions on the season.

By virtue of their first team all-region status, the names of Kapanui, Swain and Brock will now appear on the national ballot which will be used to select the 2007 Dakatronics All-America Football Team.

First Team Offense

First Team Defense

Second Team Offense

Second Team Defense