D2CCA All-America Teams

WICHITA FALLS, Texas - John Matocha is the Ron Lenz National Player of the Year to lead three Orediggers named to the D2CCA All-America teams on Wednesday.

Matocha and center Matt Armendariz were First-Team All-America honorees and cornerback Mason Pierce earned a Second-Team All-America spot. Matocha is Mines' second National Player of the Year joining 2016 recipient Justin Dvorak. The award is also a key indicator of how voters feel for the Harlon Hill Award, as the Lenz recipient has also won the Harlon Hill every year since 2008. 

Armendariz is a repeat D2CCA First-Team All-American. Also an AFCA First-Team All-American on Monday, the sixth-year center has anchored a Mines line that has helped produce the nation's #1 scoring offense and #1 red zone offense. A finalist for the Gene Upshaw Award, Armendariz has started 40 consecutive games and has now earned a combined six all-America honors over the past two seasons. Armendariz was also First-Team All-RMAC and D2CCA First-Team All-Region this season, and was the top votegetter among offensive linemen in this year's D2CCA All-America balloting. 

Behind him, Matocha has been simply spectacular in 2022 as a finalist and leading contender for the Harlon Hill Award, which will be announced Friday. Matocha has thrown for 4,570 yards and a national-best 50 touchdowns while also rushing for 465 yards and five scores. His postseason play has been extraordinary, accounting for 21 total touchdowns in the last four games, more than double any other player in this year's NCAA Division II tournament. Matocha ranks atop D-II in passing touchdowns, efficiency, and points responsible for, #2 in passing yards, and #3 in completion percentage. Matocha also earned the RMAC Offensive Player of the Year and D2CCA Super Region 4 Offensive Player of the Year awards this postseason. 

Pierce captains Mines' defense and has produced a team-leading five interceptions including two pick-sixes this season. A four-year starter as Mines' top corner, Pierce owns 51 total tackles with seven breakups in 2022 and has helped Mines limit opponents to 18.3 points and 218 passing yards per game. Pierce was also a First-Team All-RMAC and D2CCA First-Team All-Region selection. 

The D2CCA teams are nominated and voted upon by Division II's sports information directors. 

Mines plays Ferris State in the national championship game Saturday at noon CT in McKinney, Texas.