#8 – Trevor Holleman, DB Sioux Falls 2009

I may have seen harder “hits” by other players in the past 9 years, but there is no doubt in my mind that no one GPAC player had more of those hits than Trevor Holleman. But hard hits were only a part of his game. In June 2009 he was named the male recipient of the NAIA’s A.O. Duer Award; given out to the NAIA junior who excelled in character, playing ability and scholarship from any sport. On the field, he was 1st or 2nd on the team in tackles each of his last 3 seasons and ended his career tied for 2nd all-time in interceptions at USF with 16; the leader in return average at 17 yards per pick. He earned 1st team All-GPAC 3 times, was twice named 1st team All-American, was the 2009 NAIA Defensive Player of the Year and named to VSN’s Team of the Decade 1st team. Finally, he was an integral part of the last two USF championship teams, leading all tacklers with 14 in the two games with an interception in 2008.

#7 – Chad Cavendar, QB Sioux Falls 2007

Cavendar arrived in Sioux Falls and supplied the missing link that put the Cougars over the top as well as on top of the NAIA world. Completing nearly 69% of his passes for 3600 yards and 38 touchdowns in 2006, he capped his junior year with a solid performance in the title game win over St Francis. Though USF lost the title in 2007, Cavendar was named 1st team All-GPAC as well as the NAIA Offensive Player of the Year both seasons. Although he played at USF for just two seasons, he ranks 1st all-time in completion percentage, (67.3%) 3rd in passing yards (7,083) and 4th in touchdown passes (64). VSN named him as the second best QB of the decade, behind only Tyler Emmert of Carroll. Possibly the best/biggest play Chad Cavendar ever made was with his feet; a 14 yard run on 4th and 12 in the final minute of the 2007 national semi-final against Missouri Valley. His TD pass two plays later sealed an 11-10 victory.