CLAREMONT, Calif. - The Claremont-Mudd-Scripps football team had a total of 10 players honored on the two All-SCIAC teams, including seven on the first team, in a vote of the league's coaches, the SCIAC office announced today. 

Earning first-team honors on offense were running back Justin Edwards, left tackle Owen Benjamin and center Bryce Mey. Earning it on the defensive side of the ball were linebacker Joey Asta, defensive end Michael Houk, and defensive backs Kirby Baynes and Jacob O'Connell. 

Capturing second-team honors for the Stags were kicker Rich Brutto, wide receiver Anderson Cynkar and linebacker Harry Zhou. 

Edwards earned first-team All-SCIAC honors for the fourth time in his career, including taking the Offensive Player of the Year honor a year ago. He finished this year with a career-best 1228 yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground, while breaking the CMS record for career yards (4314) and yards in a game (324 against Cal Lutheran on his Senior Day). 

Helping to pave the way for Edwards' big numbers were Benjamin and Mey. Benjamin returned to his starting left tackle position this season while Mey took over as the starting center. The duo helped CMS average 173.4 rushing yards per game while allowing only 16 sacks in 10 contests. 

Asta earned first-team All-SCIAC distinction for the third year in a row. He finished the season with 70 tackles total, including 40 solo and had 10 or more three times, including 13 against Chapman and 10 in both meetings with Redlands. He also tallied six sacks and 11 tackles for losses. 

Houk repeats on the first-team All-SCIAC squad after winning the SCIAC Newcomer of the Year in 2022. He totaled 10.5 tackles for losses on the year, totaling 30 yards, and forced two fumbles and recovered one. He had at least one tackle for loss in seven of 10 games this season. 

O'Connell is also a repeat selection after returning interceptions for touchdowns against George Fox and Redlands, giving him five "pick sixes" in his career. His return against Redlands set a CMS record, returning it 98 yards for a touchdown to turn what could have been a 10-10 tie into a 17-3 CMS lead in a game it would go to win 17-10. 

Baynes earns his first All-SCIAC honor after a strong season at cornerback, tallying an interception, 36 tackles and seven pass break-ups. He ended his career with eight interceptions, including two that he returned for touchdowns, and saw action at both defensive back and linebacker over his four seasons as a starter. 

Brutto repeats on the All-SCIAC second team after connecting on 10 field goals for the Stags, including a 51-yarder against George Fox, a 46-yarder against Redlands and a 45-yarder against Cal Lutheran. Cynkar was also a repeat selection at wide receiver, catching 27 passes for 408 yards and two touchdowns, and throwing for one in the season finale against Redlands. He finished his career with 1852 receiving yards, ranking third all-time at CMS, and 130 catches, which ranks fourth. Zhou made his first appearance on the All-SCIAC team after tallying 20 tackles and three sacks, including two at Cal Lutheran. 

CMS finished the year 8-2, tying the program record for wins in a season, matching the mark first set in 1970 and then matched in 1986 and again last season.