DES MOINES, IOWA Sophomore running back Scott Phaydavong (Des Moines East) and junior linebacker Jimmy Adams (Kansas City, Mo./Park Hill) were named offensive and defensive football players of the year , respectively for the Drake football team during the 108th annual Channing Smith Awards banquet Saturday at the Drake Olmsted Center.

A trio of Bulldogs earned special team players of the year, led by senior kicker Ryan Horvath (Overland Park, Kan./Blue Valley). Sophomores Poul Collins (Cedar Rapids Washington) and Jacob Craig (Mount Vernon) shared the award with Horvath.

The Bulldogs, under coach Rob Ash, posted a 6-4 record this season, including a 2-2 third-place finish in the Pioneer Football League.

Phaydavong, who ranked second in the NCAA I-AA in rushing, was named a repeat selection to The Sports Network I-AA Mid-Major All-American football team. Phaydavong, who rushed for 1,550 yards with eight touchdowns in just 204 carries ( 7.6 avg. per carry), led the league in rushing for second straight year and enjoyed eight straight 100-yard plus rushing games to close out season

Adams led Drake with 88 tackles, including 66 solo stops, three quarterback sacks for 32 yards in losses, two interceptions and one fumble recovery

Horvath earned first team all-PFL honors for the fourth straight year as he led the league in punting with a 41.7 average and also connected on six field goals.

Senior nose guard Chris Daniels (Overland Park, Kan.) was named recipient of the Gene Schultz Award which annually honors an upperclassman who displays the highest standards of leadership, citizenship and personal conduct on the field, and in academic and campus activities.

Daniels, a three-year starter, recently earned first-team Academic All-American honors on the CoSIDA University Division football team.

Daniels finished with 39 tackles, including 18 solo hits. He also contributed a quarterback sack and an interception,