Press Release

Nov. 23, 2010

Bolles named a finalist for Harlon Hill

MARYVILLE, Mo.-Northwest Missouri State senior quarterback Blake Bolles is one of nine national finalists for the Harlon Hill Award which is presented annually to Division II football's player of the year.

Bolles is the third Northwest player to reach the national ballot and the second in as many seasons. He joins wide receiver Tony Miles, who finished sixth in the voting in 2000 and running back LaRon Council, who placed eighth in the voting last season.

Bolles in joined on the ballot by six other quarterbacks and two running backs. National voting will conclude on Dec. 3 and the top three finishers will be invited to Florence for the presentation banquet to be held Dec. 17, a day prior to the national championship game.

A native of Lincoln, Neb., Bolles was a first-team All-American last year when he led the Bearcats to a 14-1 record and the program's third national championship. He's 24-2 as a starter at Northwest and has thrown a touchdown pass in all 26 collegiate starts. Bolles is part of a senior class that never lost a conference game and won four MIAA titles.

Bolles has thrown for 7,921 yards and 72 touchdowns in his career, both of which are Northwest records. This season, he's completed 218-of-345 passes for 3,099 yards and 23 touchdowns against eight interceptions. He's also ran for 198 yards and three scores. He ranks 16^th nationally in pass efficiency and 20^th in passing yards per game.

Bolles is one of three quarterbacks from Super Region 4 who advanced to the final ballot. Central Missouri's Eric Czerniewski and Abilene Christian's Mitchell Gale are the others and will square off against one another Saturday in the second round of the NCAA playoffs.

The full list of finalists can be found below:

Name                                    Pog.       Ht.          Wt.        Cl.           School                                  Hometown

Super Region 1

Zach Amedro                     QB          6-0          200         Sr.           West Liberty                      Moundsville, W.V.

Franklyn Quiteh                RB           5-10       197         Fr.           Bloomsburg                        Tobyhanna, Pa.

Super Region 2

Bo Cordell                           QB          6-1          195         So.          Tusculum                             Cincinnati, Ohio

Nick Hardesty                    QB          6-0          210         Sr.           Henderson State              Salina, Kan.

Super Region 3

Clay Garcia                          QB          6-0          200         Jr.           Colorado-Mines               Alamosa, Colo.

Phil Milbrath                      RB           5-9          200         Sr.           Michigan Tech                   Norway, Mich.

Super Region 4

Blake Bolles                        QB          6-4          210         Sr.           NW Missouri State          Lincoln, Neb.

Eric Czerniewski                QB          6-0          190         Sr.           Central Missouri               Montgomery City, Mo.

Mitchell Gale                     QB          6-2          220         So.          Abilene Christian              Alva, Okla.