The Pioneer Football League announced its 2019 preseason All-Conference team on Monday and the squad includes a trio of players from Stetson, which finished the 2018 season tied for second in the league race.
 
Senior receiver Steven Burdette, senior linebacker Colby Duncan and redshirt junior defensive back JJ Henderson were part of the 29-man squad.
 
Burdette, who ranked 18^th in FCS football last year with 10 touchdown receptions, finished his first season at Stetson with 52 receptions for 769 yards. All three totals were second for the Hatters behind departed All-American Donald Parham. He ranked fourth in the PFL last year in receptions per game, seventh in receiving yards per game and fifth in TD receptions.
 
Duncan returns for his final season after ranking third in the PFL in tackles per game with 8.8 last year. His 88 total tackles ranked fifth in the conference last year. He also tied for sixth in the league in tackles for loss with 9.5. Duncan led the league last year with four forced fumbles.
 
Henderson is on the preseason All-PFL squad for the second straight year after being named as a kick returner in 2018. He posted 33 total tackles last fall, with four tackles for loss and had two interceptions. He was second on the team with 10 total pass breakups. Henderson also had 184 yards on kickoff returns.
 
The PFL will announce the result of voting for the preseason coaches' poll on Tuesday.
 
The 2019 Hatters will report to campus on Thursday, August 1, and will begin preparations for the season opener against Presbyterian on Friday evening, August 2. Practices will be held at Watson Field at the ATC on campus at 7 p.m. on August 2, 3, 4, 5 and at 2 p.m. on August 6, 7, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16. Scrimmages are scheduled for August 10 at Watson Field (2:30 p.m.), August 17 at Spec Martin Stadium (6:30 p.m.).
 
The Hatters will play eight home games this fall. For information on tickets, visit www.GoHatters.com/tix, email HatterTickets@Stetson.edu or call 386-738-HATS (4287) during regular business hours. The Stetson Athletics Ticket Office is open at the Edmunds Center from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
 
Stetson Football fans who are interested in supporting the program can also do so by participating in the 7^th Annual Stetson Football Kickoff Fundraiser. That event is scheduled for Friday, August 30, at Alaqua Country Club in Longwood. Registration for the golf tournament will begin at 9 a.m. with a shotgun start set for 10 a.m.
 
Stetson and Presbyterian are scheduled to get the season started on Saturday, August 31, at 7 p.m. at Spec Martin Stadium.
About Stetson University Athletics: Stetson University's Athletics Program has a vision of developing a culture of champions athletically, academically and within the community. This vision is accomplished through a mission of recruiting and developing student-athletes, coaches and staff, creating a culture of champions, within and outside of competition. The department operates with five core values: Championship Culture, Integrity, Excellence, Pride/Tradition and Leadership. To learn more about the Vision, Mission and Core Values for Stetson Athletics, visit GoHatters.com and click on Mission Statement under the Inside Athletics tab.