SAINT LOUIS – University of Dayton senior cornerback/kick returner Christian Searles was named the Pioneer Football League's Special Teams Player of the Year as part of the PFL's 2017 Major Awards announcement.

Searles, Dayton's special teams captain this season, ranked seventh in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivsion with 825 combined kick return yards in 2017.  He was second in the PFL in both kickoff return average (23.8, behind San Diego's Emilio Martinez) and punt return average (7.8, behind Campbell's Jaquan Brooks).

Searles finished his career among the Dayton career top ten in both categories, averaging 22.0 yards per kick returns and 9.7 yards per punt return.

A standout cornerback as well, Searles was named First Team All-PFL at cornerback in 2015 and 2016, and First Team All-PFL as a returner in 2015.  If he gets first team recognition tomorrow in both categories, he will become the first player in the 25-year history of the league to earn five First Team All-PFL honors in his career.

Former Flyer Nick Kaczkowski was named PFL Special Teams Player of the Year in 2015.

Searles' award was one of six major awards presented by the PFL.  San Diego defensive end Jonathan Petersen was a unanimous selection for Defensive Player of the Year.  USD quarterback Anthony Lawrence was named Offensive Player of the Year.  Campbell quarterback Daniel Smith was Offensive Freshman of the Year, and Stetson defensive back J.J. Henderson was Defensive Freshman of the Year.

Coach of the Year went to Valparaiso's Dave Checchini.

The PFL will announced its All-League teams Tuesday and its Academic All-League teams Wednesday.