Contributed
(July 16, 2010)

Following a sophomore campaign in which he set new single-season school records for interceptions, total tackles and solo tackles, Huntingdon junior Keith Anthony has been named to the D3Football.com Preseason All-America Second Team, the website announced on Thursday.

Anthony, who is from Eclectic and prepped at Elmore County High School, becomes just the second Huntingdon player to be named to a preseason All-America squad, joining former standout cornerback Jamaal Jemison, who garnered second-team honors in 2006 from Lindy’s Magazine.

“Keith has been a key contributor to our football team since he arrived on campus, so this honor is certainly well deserved,” head coach Mike Turk said. “He has accomplished so much in just two years, so I am really excited about having him for two more seasons. In addition to being a great player, Keith is also a great person. I am very happy for him.”

In his second season with the Hawks, Anthony posted a school-record 92 tackles, bettering the previous season best of 85 by Granger Shook in 2007. Anthony also tallied 55 solo stops, six more than Shook’s record total in 2006. He finished with double-digit total tackles in four games, including a career best 14 tackles on two occasions.

Along with making tackles, Anthony was also a force in the Hawks passing defense, as he nearly doubled the previous school record for interceptions with nine in 2009. Entering last season, Jemison and former all-region selection Larry Hudson held the single-season record with five picks. In the Hawks 51-13 victory over LaGrange, Anthony picked off three passes, a school single-game record.

On the season, the 2009 All-South region second-teamer added a forced fumble, one tackle for loss and four pass break ups.

Anthony was one of just seven juniors selected on the preseason All-America team, while three sophomores were also selected. The Hawks will face seven players selected on the team this upcoming season. Joining Anthony were linebacker Will Hawkins of Millsaps, kicker Garrett Biel and punter Kyle Trella of Trinity (Texas), and guard Anthony West, tight end Sean McAndrew, defensive end Chris Mayes and safety Aaron Benson of Wesley.

Huntingdon will open the 2010 campaign on Saturday, September 4, when it hosts Maryville College at 1 p.m.