11/19/2021 | Football

RICHARDSON, Texas – Eastern New Mexico football saw five student-athletes earn All-Lone Star Conference honors, including two major award winners.

Justin Manyweather was named Receiver of the Year and to the First Team Offense, while Mazin Richards earned Defensive Lineman of the Year and a spot on First Team Defense. Also earning honors were Vili Fisiiahi on Second Team Offense and Howard Russell and Cameron Santa Cruz with Honorable Mentions.

Manyweather led the conference in receiving yards (751), receiving touchdowns (11), average receiving yards per game (75.1), and all-purpose yards (1204). He also had the longest touchdown reception (95 yards) of any LSC receiver this season. He finished the season with 12 total touchdowns for the Hounds (11 receiving, 1 return) for 72 points. Manyweather picked up LSC Offensive Player of the Week honors once this season (10/11/21) and this is his second career all-conference honor as he earned Honorable Mention in 2019.

Richards finished the season with 8.5 sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss (69 yards), which was second and third in the conference, respectively. He recorded 26 total tackles on the season (21 solo, 5 assist) and forced three fumbles. His best game of the season came against Lincoln (Calif.) when he had four sacks. This is Richard’s second all-conference nod as he was named to the Second Team in 2019.

Fisiiahi is no stranger to all-conference honors as he was also named to the Second Team in 2019, making this his second career recognition. Fisiiahi is a key member of the Eastern offensive line as he appeared in every contest this season. He helped the offense achieve rushing totals of 1409 yards and passing totals of 1820 yards throughout the fall.

Russell was fifth in the conference in rushing yards with 622 yards in nine contests. He finished the season with two touchdowns and averaged 69.1 yards per game.

Joining Russell with an Honorable Mention nod was Santa Cruz. Defensively, Santa Cruz had 49 tackles on the season (34 solo, 15 assist) to go with two tackles for loss and an interception.

The Greyhounds finished the 2021 season with an overall record of 4-7 and a 1-6 record in conference play under first-year head coach Tye Hiatt.