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WWW.GUILFORDIAN.COM
BY HENRY SMITH
Staff Writer
Guilford College's juruor quarterback Matt
Pawlowski is the best.
At least that is what voters for the J. Stokely
Fulton Offensive Player of the Year Award
thought.
The award is presented annually to the best
offensive player in the ODAC.
On the other side of the football, senior
defensive back Satiir Stevenson earned the Lou
Wacker Defensive Player of the Year Award,
handed out to the best defensive player in the
ODAC.
"Their leadership has been a major part of
the success of this program," said head coach
Chris Rusiewicz, 'This is very exciting for
Guilford College."
The award-winning players were integral to
the Guilford football team's 8-2 record.
For the second time in league history, the
two prestigious ODAC awards go to members
of the same team.
Stevenson, a native of Roselle, New Jersey,
has been a dominant part of the Guilford
defense since his arrival on campus four years
ago.
"He works hard," said senior defensive
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lineman Jordan Farmer.
"There were times this summer when he
was out there working out twice a day. He
deserves this award because he gets everybody
else involved, and he works re^y hard."
Stevenson has a booming voice and
approachable demeanor. Whether in the
dassrcxjm, in the Grill or on the fcxrtball field, it
is easy to be aware of his presence.
His determination permeates everything he
does.
Both recipients made it clear that despite
their gratitude for the awards, this is not why
they play football.
"This award is not that important to me,"
said Stevenson. "It is an accomplishment, but
great players lead their team to a championship.
In that department I failed."
Stevenson has been invited to play in
the National Bowl Game in Miami, Florida.
There he can advertise his talent to scouts of
professional football teams, mcluding the NFL.
"I see myself playing football somewhere
in the future," said Stevenson. "I have all-
star games coming up that can open doors,
depending on how I do."
Teammates agree that the talent and work
ethic of these players is motivating.
'Those two are playmakers," said junior
defensive lineman Reggie BuUard. "They
make plays when they need to be made, and
thatis what champions do.",
On the national chart for ]^assing yards, only
one name remains higher than the Greensboro
local Pawlowski's. He is on track to becoming
the most successful quarterback in school
history.
"I knew that the offense had potential to do
big things," said Pawlowski. "I put up good
statistics, but it was never a goal to be player
of the year. The goal was iways to win a
conference championship."
The only other player in school history to win
this award is Guilford's offensive coordinator
and quarterback coach Chris Barnette.
He was an All-American receiver while
playing at Guilford.
"It's valuable for me to win this award
having been taught by coach Barnette and to
see his work pay off," said Pawlowski.
This was a groundbreaking year for the
Guilford College football program. This
matches the school's best record finishing at
8-2.
"We will miss Satiir Stevenson," said coach
Rusiewicz. "But, we are excited to have Matt
Pawlowski back with many of the other great
players we have for 2015."
Guilford College Quakers at their last game of
the season at Emory & Henry College, where
they won 52 - 28.
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