The BC Lions Football Club learned today that a division-high 13 players have been named to the 2008 CFL West Division All-Star team.
Geroy Simon, Paris Jackson, Jason Jimenez, and Rob Murphy, were named to the offensive team with Cam Wake, Brent Johnson, Aaron Hunt, Javier Glatt, Korey Banks, Barron Miles, Dante Marsh getting defensive honours.
On special teams, both punter Paul McCallum and return man Ian Smart made the squad.
The 13 Lions selections came by way of 41 voting members of the Football Reporters of Canada (FRC) representing eight CFL markets and a national chapter as well as the eight CFL head coaches and CFL fans from across the country.
OFFENCE:
Geroy Simon (R) - Simon led the Lions with 1,418 yards on 82 receptions (2nd in CFL) and added 10 TD's despite missing two games this season due to injury. It proved to be a historic season for the talented slot back as he surpassed former Lions-great Jim Young in all-time reception yards and TD's as well as becoming the first Lions receiver in club history to top the 10,000-yard mark. This is Simon's fifth West Division selection ('03,'04,'06,'07).
Paris Jackson (R) - The Lions nominee for Outstanding Canadian, Jackson picks up his first divisional all-star honour 76 receptions for 1,180 yards (2nd on Lions) and eight TD's. The sixth-year Leo was named Canadian Player of the Week four times in 2008.
Rob Murphy (LT) - The 2006 and 2007 CFL Outstanding Lineman, Murphy enjoyed another dominant season, his third in Black and Orange and third West Division All-Star honour.
Jason Jimenez (RT) - A first time West Division All-Star, Jimenez is also the club's nominee for Outstanding Lineman.
DEFENCE:
Cam Wake (DE) - Following a 2007 campaign that earned him Outstanding Rookie and Outstanding Defensive Player honours Wake was a dominant force in 2008 notching a league-high 23 sacks as well as 65 tackles, five forced fumbles and a blocked field goal. The super-sophomore is the Lions' nominee for Outstanding Player and Outstanding Defensive Player in 2008.
Brent Johnson (DE) - Returning to the West Division All-Star squad in 2008, the consistent and formidable defensive end finished third to teammates Cam Wake and Aaron Hunt in sacks with 10 while adding 29 tackles. This is Johnson's fourth West Division All-Star nomination ('04, '05, '06).
Aaron Hunt (DL) - The third-year Lion and former Most Outstanding Rookie (2006) continues his streak as an All-Star with his third West Division nod in as many seasons. Ringing up 11 sacks, 39 defensive tackles, five pass knockdowns and two tackles for a loss, Aaron makes it three of four defensive lineman on the West squad for the Lions.
Javier Glatt (LB) - A first-time honour for the veteran linebacker, Glatt led the club with 88 tackles while quarterbacking the defence from his spot in the middle. The sixth-year Leo also led the team with six tackles for a loss and added two sacks.
Barron Miles (S) - The fourth-year Leo and 11-year CFL veteran anchored a Lions defensive backfield which led the league interceptions while snagging a nine of his own to go along with 46 defensive tackles. Miles also blocked a convert in 2008 tying him for the all-time lead with 12 blocked kicks. This is Miles' fourth West Division distinction ('05,'06,'07) after being named an East Division All-Star in 1999, 2000, 2002 and 2003 as a member of the Montreal Alouettes.
Dante Marsh (CB) - Bouncing back from an injury-filled 2007 campaign, Marsh was the team's leading tackler among defensive backs with 56 while adding two interceptions and seven knockdowns. This is Dante's second West Division All-Star selection ('06).
Korey Banks (HB) - Banks managed six interceptions (2nd on Lions), five pass knockdowns, 55 defensive tackles and four sacks - two of which he returned for touchdowns. This is Banks' fourth divisional All-Star honour ('05, '06, '07), with the first coming in the East Division with the Ottawa Renegades.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Paul McCallum (P) - The 16-year veteran earns his third West Division All-Start nomination as punter and second in as many seasons. The Surrey-native has enjoyed an excellent 2008 campaign with a 34.9 net punting average.
Ian Smart (ST) - His second West Division All-Star spot in as many seasons, Smart shattered the record for kick-off return yards in a season with 1,805 and added 782 yards on 85 punt returns. The 2007 winner of the CFL's Most Outstanding Special Teams Player will look for a return to the podium as the club's nominee again in 2008.
