-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Taylor Schaefer of Iowa Central makes the tackle for a loss against Hutchinson

Five Iowa Central football players have been named All-Americans by the NJCAA, including a pair who have landed on the first-team.

Alan Pond and Taylor Schaefer were both first team selections for the Tritons, as Ahmad Grayer made the second. Christian Barney and Marcellus Chandler were honorable mention choices.

Iowa Central finished this past season 8-4 overall, earning a Game One Bowl win over Snow to secure a Top-10 ranking once again under head coach Jesse Montalto. All four losses came to teams in the Top-10, including national champion Iowa Western and runner-up Hutchinson.

“It is great to see five of our players honored as All-Americans,” Montalto said. “We had a great season and really showed a lot of toughness and determination in battling back from a tough stretch to finish strong, including a bowl win once again this season and another Top-10 ranking.

“These kids were a big part of that success that we had.”

Over the past six seasons, Iowa Central has had 34 All-American players named.

Pond, a sophomore offensive lineman from Storm Lake, was part of an offensive line that helped the Tritons average almost 450 yards of total offense and score nearly 40 points per game. Iowa Central rushed for nearly 200 yards per game this past season, scoring 28 rushing touchdowns and averaging 5.5 yards per carry.

Schaefer, sophomore linebacker led the defense with 97 tackles in 10 games, adding five sacks and 10 tackles for loss. Both of those numbers also led Iowa Central, as the Wisconsin commit broke up three passes, picked off a pass and blocked a kick.

Grayer, a freshman defensive back, was fourth on the team with 58 tackles, picking off four passes with two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. He also broke up four more passes and had a pair of tackles for loss.

Barney, a sophomore linebacker who played at Iowa City Liberty, ranked third on the team with 85 tackles in 12 games, adding six tackles for loss, three interceptions, two pass breakups, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.

Chandler, a sophomore wide receiver, was named as a return specialist after averaging nearly 29 yards per kickoff return with two returned for scores. He also caught 24 passes for 258 yards and three receiving scores.

As a conference, the ICCAC placed seven players on the first team and had 18 total All-American selections.