CHICAGO, Ill. -- 

After concluding their season this past Saturday at home, David Simmons, Jr. Gary Anish, and George Tafua, Jr. were selected to the 2018 College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin All-Conference (CCIW) team.

Senior defensive back David Simmons, Jr. earned honors as a first team All-CCIW defender, finishing tied for 18th in total tackles during CCIW action with 59. Simmons led the Vikings with an astounding 6 blocked kicks, including 3 in one game against #17 Illinois Wesleyan to conclude his Viking career. Simmons also tallied a team second-best 8 pass breakups and recovered a fumble. This marks the third All-CCIW appearance for Simmons, garnering second-team honors in 2017 and 2015.

Next, junior defensive back Gary Anish received second-team All-CCIW honors for his stellar defense this season. Anish, also the team's main punter, led the Vikings with 77 total tackles (58 solo) while carrying a CCIW 13th-best 64 tackles in conference action. Anish's 3 interceptions were tied for a team-best this season. These interceptions all arrived in one game against Anderson University on September 1, placing him on D3football.com's Team of the Week.

Finally, junior offensive lineman George Tafua, Jr. was recognized as a second-team All-CCIW selection for his performance on the O-Line this season. Tafua, a mainstay barricade for the Vikings this season, protected a young offensive core in quarterbacks Grant Borsch and JDrew McGovern, as well as freshman running back Michael Soracco. Tafua is the first Viking O-lineman to be named to the All-CCIW team since Kenny Pistorius in 2014.