Guilford College trio helps produce record-setting season

Published in Sports on December 9, 2007 2:02 AM

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GREENSBORO -- Senior Troy Smith, junior Danny Langston and sophomore Markas Brunson -- all graduates of Rosewood High School -- helped the Guilford College football team post back-to-back winning seasons for the first time in two-plus decades.

A 5-foot-11, 225-pound running back, Smith appeared in 29 career games with one start. A reserve fullback and occasional tight end, he saw the bulk of his action on special teams where he totaled three kickoff returns and three tackles in his career.

Langston (6-4, 190 pounds) started all of the Quakers' 10 games at safety this past fall. For the second consecutive season, he led the team in tackles (87) and fumble recoveries (2), and was second on the team with two interceptions

Langston ranked sixth in the NCAA Division III Old Dominion Athletic Conference with 8.7 tackles per game. His best game was a career-high, 16-tackle performance against ODAC rival Bridgewater (Va.) College. Langston led the team in tackles in three games this season and recorded 10 or more stops in two contests.

Brunson (5-10, 225) started all 10 games at linebacker and earned honorable mention All-ODAC recognition. He finished second on the team in tackles (84) and sacks (3). He notched a career-high 13 tackles and a sack one month ago against Catholic University. But his blocked punt and 88-yard touchdown return proved to give the Quakers a decisive edge in the road win.

ODAC officials honored Brunson as the player of the week for his effort against Catholic. He also was named the Guilford student-athlete of the week.

Brunson collected 10-plus tackles in four games and ended the year with back-to-back 13-tackle outings against Catholic and Emory & Henry.

The trio helped Guilford compile a 6-4 worksheet overall, including a 2-4 mark against ODAC competition. The Quakers either set or tied 26 team and individual school records this season.

Guilford will lose nine seniors, including Smith, from the 2007 team to graduation. However, third-year head coach Kevin Kiesel expects to return 82 letter winners next fall.