D2CCA All-Super Region 4 Teams

GOLDEN, Colo. - Colorado School of Mines has had five players earn D2CCA All-Super Region 4 honors as they prepare for the NCAA quarterfinals this weekend.

Center Matt Armendariz and running back Michael Zeman garnered First-Team All-Region honors, with three players on the defensive side of the ball - lineman Zach Hester, cornerback Mason Pierce, and linebacker Nolan Reeve - earning Second-Team All-Region status. As first-team selections, Zeman and Armendariz will advance to the All-America ballot. 

Armendariz, a redshirt senior, moved from guard to center this season and has anchored the Mines offensive line to earn First-Team All-RMAC honors. In addition to blocking up front for Zeman, the Orediggers average 180.8 yards per game on the ground, 409.3 yards of total offense per game, and are one of the least-penalized offensive lines in the nation; Armendariz has not been flagged in 2021. 

Zeman, named a Harlon Hill Trophy finalist on Wednesday, is the region's leading running back with 1,365 yards and 20 rushing touchdowns this season, and his 24 total touchdowns lead the nation. The senior averages 113.8 yards rushing per game and has also been a danger in the passing game with 25 catches for 271 yards and four touchdowns. Zeman was also a First-Team All-RMAC selection. 

Hester was named First-Team All-RMAC in November with 32 total tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, and 6.5 sacks off the defensive line. He has one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries this season to go with a batted pass and a blocked kick. Hester has at least a half-sack in seven games this season including 1.5 with 2.0 TFL against Adams State.

Pierce leads the RMAC with 16 pass break-ups at cornerback and is second in passes defended at 17, compiling 47 total tackles and 1.5 TFL in 2021. The veteran has anchored a tough secondary that ranked third in the RMAC allowing 195 yards per game and a conference-best 51.8 percent opponents' completion percentage. Pierce had 3+ pass break-ups in three games, including four against Adams State in Week 11, and three PBUs plus seven tackles at Colorado Mesa. 

Reeve has been a force at outside linebacker with a team-leading 13.5 TFL and 9.5 sacks among his 65 total tackles. The redshirt junior generated four total turnovers, including three forced fumbles and another recovery, plus a pass break-up. Reeve's top game was a 3-sack, 9-tackle, 2-FF day at CSU Pueblo that earned him national player of the week honors in Week 10. 

The University of Mary's record-setting wide receiver Danny Kittner was named the regional Offensive Player of the Year, and Western Colorado lineman Will Lydle was the Defensive Player of the Year. 

The Division II Conference Commissioners Association (D2CCA) sponsors all-region and all-America teams across D-II athletics, with nominations and voting conducted by each region's sports information directors.