by MATT HAUGHT, DAILY MAIL SPORTSWRITER , Charleston Daily Mail

The University of Charleston quarterback, named to the all-WVC first team for the second consecutive year, had dreams all season of taking the crown. A double-overtime loss to West Liberty on Oct. 24 derailed that dream, and the Division II playoff selection committee ended, as well as an Oct. 31 loss to Glenville State, the Golden Eagles hopes of a postseason.

The prolific Florida native will get a second chance at his dream, and UC Coach Tony DeMeo has confidence in his junior star.

"He can take the game over without even gaining a yard or making a pass," the fifth-year coach said. "He runs our offense. He is our point guard and he is a field general."

DeMeo said, despite their losses, he is proud of his team, which placed three on the WVC first team and six on the second.

"We were a couple of plays away from being undefeated," said DeMeo, whose team finished 9-2 (6-2 WVC). "If you look at our stats, we're on top of everything in the West Virginia Conference."

Indeed, the Golden Eagles led the league in scoring defense, total defense, rushing offense, rushing defense, pass efficiency, pass defense efficiency, field goals, point-after kicking, third down conversions, fourth down conversions, time of possession, red zone offense, red zone defense and fewest sacks allowed.

"I think we had a great season, and I'm not going to let a committee of people that obviously couldn't' give us a fair shot define our season," DeMeo said, referring to the selection committee that blocked UC from the playoffs. "Anyone who saw us play knows how good we were."

The Golden Eagles finished the season ranked No. 19 in the American Football Coaches Association Poll.

"If I told you five years ago that we'd finish in the top 20 in the nation - that we've been in top 10 - would you have believed it?" DeMeo said. " It's a credit to my coaching staff. This is a product of us working together as a staff and getting stuff done."

DeMeo said that if his team had the opportunity to compete in the playoffs, the Golden Eagles would have succeeded.

"We were fourth in nation is rushing," said DeMeo, whose team is the highest ranked eligible team to not make the playoffs. "We have the smallest enrollment of any team in the top 40. If we had gotten a chance in playoffs, we'd have made some noise. It's a black eye to NCAA selection committee and it's a disgrace to the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and the University of Charleston."

DeMeo said he will put the lessons learned this season into practice during the offseason.

"We're going to have a lot of guys back, and that's really important," said DeMeo, whose team's nine wins is the most of any UC team. "We will return our two-time all conference quarterback in DaRante Hunter - the guy who lead the nation in pass efficiency and is the fourth all-time scorer in WVIAC history."

The Golden Eagles lose several defensive stars, including Ted Schaible, Dominick Iacovone, Chris Almonte and Xavier Drakeford. The UC defense allowed an average of 305 yards per game and ranked No. 14 in rushing defense.

The Golden also lose senior running back Aaron Higdon, who averaged 65.9 yards a game, but 10 yards per carry.

"That's a first down," DeMeo said. "Every time he carries the ball he gets a first down. He's an unselfish player who blocked as well as anyone at slot. We're going to miss Aaron Higdon."

Contact sportswriter Matt Haught at matthaught@daily mail.com or 304-348-4871.

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