WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. – West Liberty's Shon Stephens has earned a selection to the All-Super Region 1 first team defense by the Division II Conference Commissioner's Association (D2CCA).
A transfer cornerback, Stephens made an immediate impact in his first season in the Black and Gold. He tied for the national lead in interceptions with eight, seven of which came in the first three games, and had two pick-sixes.
In Week 2, Stephens set a Mountain East Conference single-game record with four interceptions earning both conference and national defensive player of the week honors. Two of the four picks came in the endzone, and the final interception of the night sealed the deal as he returned it 52 yards to the house to give West Liberty a home-opening win.
The Bakersfield, Calif. native ended the season with 37 tackles, three for loss, and had six pass breakups. A season-high seven solo tackles came in the overtime win over Fairmont State on the road, in which he also picked up his eighth interception.
Stephens handled the kick return duties for the Hilltoppers as well, averaging 21.70 yards per return over 30 attempts including a 61-yard runback and 155 total return yards in the homecoming game versus Wheeling.
First team defense consists of 11 players in Super Region 1. Stephens is one-of-two cornerbacks and six MEC players to be recognized on the list, with the selection he now moves on to the D2CCA All-America ballot.