APPLETON, Wis. — Two more Lawrence University football players have been selected to play in the Bowl of the Stars on Dec. 20.
Senior offensive lineman Luke Zablocki (Pulaski, Wis./Pulaski) and senior linebacker Brandon Taylor (Johnsburg, Ill./Johnsburg) are part of the Team Stars and Stripes, a group of NCAA Division III all-stars. Team Stars and Stripes will play the CONADEIP All-Stars in Puebla, Mexico.
Zablocki and Taylor join senior wide receiver Taylor Mandich (Green Bay, Wis./Southwest), who had been selected for the team last month.
This is the second consecutive season Lawrence has sent players to the Bowl of the Stars. Quarterback Luke Barthelmess and defensive back/wide receiver played in the game in 2013. Barthelmess led Team Stars and Stripes to a 29-7 victory and was named the game’s Most Valuable Player.
Zablocki was a four-year starter on Lawrence’s offensive line, including the last three seasons at right tackle. Zablocki also did double duty by playing a limited number of snaps on the defensive line. He finished with 15 tackles, including 3.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks.
“The thing that attracted me the most was the opportunity to represent Lawrence University and its football program,” said Zablocki. “It is an honor to have been selected for this and follow in the footsteps of Sam Wagner and Luke Barthlemess.”
Taylor also cited Barthelmess and Wagner in his motivation to play for Team Stars and Stripes.
“When they (Barthelmess and Wagner) came back, they talked about what an amazing experience it was, and I was hooked,” Taylor said. “Coming into this season it was one of my goals to play well enough to be selected for the Tazon de Estrellas, and it is exciting to see that the hard work has paid off.”
Taylor piled up a team-high 98 tackles in 2014 and finished with 281 stops for his career. Taylor had 6.0 TFLs and 1.5 sacks to go along with one interception and three pass breakups.
“The thing that I am most looking forward to about this game is that it is one last time to strap up against a good opponent and compete at a high level,” Taylor said. “I get the opportunity to represent the Lawrence University community, LU football and the United States on foreign soil, and that is already something I know I will never forget. It also helps that I have two of my best friends and teammates that will be experiencing this all with me.”
The Bowl of the Stars features 40 players from 18 NCAA Division III teams, and Team Stars and Stripes will be coached by Central College defensive coordinator Don DeWaard. Team Stars and Stripes will travel to Mexico on Dec. 14 and participate in practice and community service projects before it plays on Dec. 20.