Hope College center Zach Smith, linebacker Mason Dekker and left tackle Timothy Ivery have received All-North Region honors from D3football.com for the 2019 season.
The three seniors helped the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association champion
Flying Dutchmen record the second nine-win season in team history with a 9-2 overall
record. Hope also made the NCAA Division III playoffs for the fifth team in team history.
The D3football.com all-region teams, selected in balloting by North Region sports
information directors and D3football.com staff, were chosen from 212 nominations by
Division III member schools. A total of 78 players were chosen.
Players nominated for All-Region are eligible to be considered for D3football.com
All-America honors, which will be announced the evening of Dec. 20, in D3football.com’s
pregame coverage for Stagg Bowl XLVII.
Smith is a first-team, all-region selection. The senior from Suttons Bay, Michigan
(Suttons Bay HS) anchored an offensive line that paved the way for the MIAA’s top
scoring offensive at 46.0 points per game and second-ranked total offense at 439.7
yards per game.
The 5-10, 264-pound Smith earlier this month was named an American Football Coaches
Association First Team All-American. In November, he received All-MIAA First Team
honors for the second consecutive season.
Dekker made the second team. The senior from Holland, Michigan (West Ottawa HS) finished
third for Hope with 39 tackles, including 28 against MIAA opponents. He Dekker recorded
two sacks and one interception. The Flying Dutchmen led the MIAA in scoring defense
at 16.9 points per game and total defense at 294.1 yards per game.
The 5-9, 219-pound Dekker was chosen as MIAA Defensive MVP in November.
Ivery is a third-team selection. The senior from Bloomfield Hills, Michigan (Birmingham
Brother Rice) provided blindside protection for quarterback Mason Opple and helped
power an offensive line for the MIAA’s highest-scoring offense. The 6-3, 240-pound
Ivery earned All-MIAA First Team honors this season.