FHSU Athletics
ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – Three players from Fort Hays State were named to the D2CCA All-Super Region 3 Football Team for the 2024 season. Shane Watts was a first-team selection at running back, while Myles Menges (defensive line) and Mason Perez (safety) were second-team selections. All three were All-MIAA First Team selections in 2024. The D2CCA All-Super Region team is voted on by Athletic Communications professionals within Super Region 3.
Watts led Super Region 3 in rushing yards with 1,303, which ranks fourth nationally as the NCAA Playoffs are still ongoing at the beginning of December. Watts also added 449 receiving yards and 17 return yards for the year to finish with 1,769 all-purpose yards for the season. He also ranks fourth nationally in all-purpose yards per game (160.8). He rushed for at least 100 yards in a game six times during the 2024 season, which included back-to-back games of at least 200 yards. His season/career high was a 250-yard rushing effort at Emporia State. Watts was also one of the top scorers nationally, finishing the year with 17 total touchdowns (ranks 6th in NCAA Division II) and 102 points (7th in NCAA Division II).
Menges was the MIAA Defensive Player of the Year in 2024, while being named an All-MIAA First Team selection on the defensive line. He became a four-time All-MIAA selection after a second-team pick in 2023, a third-team pick in 2022, and an honorable mention selection as a linebacker in 2021. Menges was disruptive to opposing quarterbacks not just as a threat for sacks, but also with his ability to bat down passes. Menges led all defensive linemen in Super Region 3 for pass breakups, finishing with a staggering 11 for the season. Only a pair of defensive backs in the MIAA had more and Menges would have led one of the other three conferences within Super Region 3. He finished the season with 27 tackles, 5.5 sacks, 6.5 tackles for loss, one interception, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.
Perez was one of two safeties named to the All-MIAA First Team Defense in 2024. He ranked second on the team in tackles with 69, while leading the team in tackles for loss (7.0). Perez added five pass breakups, a forced fumble, and two blocked kicks for the season. He was among the top 10 in the MIAA in total tackles for the 2024 season. He finished with 212 total tackles, 11 tackles for loss, two interceptions, two forced fumbles, 11 pass breakups, three blocked kicks, and a sack.