Alva Review-Courier -

RUSSELLVILLE, ARK. – East Central University football running back Ontario Douglas leads a group of five Tigers to earn Great American Conference honors, as he was named the GAC Freshman of the Year and to the All-GAC First Team.

Junior Trinity Benson was named to the All-GAC Second Team at wide receiver, while sophomore Dilland Gardner (tight end), senior Spencer Damm (offensive line) and junior Justin Hayden (safety) all earned All-GAC Honorable Mention honors.

Douglas had a standout season for ECU, becoming the first Tiger to record more than 1,000 rushing yards in a season since 20015. The Lawton, Okla., native ended the year with 1,097 yards rushing on 205 attempts and scored eight touchdowns. He also added 19 catches for 157 yards for 1,254 total all-purpose yards.

Benson recorded 764 receiving yards on 54 catches and recorded five touchdowns. He also added 27 rushing attempts for 27 yards and nine kick returns for 170 yards for 931 all-purpose yards on the year. The Lewisville, Texas, native was in the top-five in the GAC all season in receptions yards per game and receptions per game all season.

Gardner made the switch to tight end from the offensive line in the 2017 season and made an immediate impact. He caught 22 passes for 290 yards and three touchdowns, including a TD in the first game of the season. The Desoto, Texas, native added five rushing yards and three on the kick return for 298 all-purpose yards.

Damm has been a three-year starter on the Tigers offensive line, filling in all spots. In 2017 he averaged a grade of 82 percent blocking and recorded 30 pancake blocks.

Hayden recorded 70 (41-29) tackles, with 3.0 tackles-for-loss (10 yards) and a sack (four yards). The St. Louis, Mo., native also added three pass break-ups and a forced fumble.