The Southern Oregon football team came away with nine selections on the 2009 Preseason All-Independent Team.

The head coach of the nine NAIA Independent programs voted for the team.

Of the nine SOU selections, five were on offense and junior Vance Beach (Mesa, Ariz./Dobson) received two selections.

Beach was voted on the team as both a wide receiver and kick returner. Beach caught 32 balls last year for 288 yards and also returned 15 kickoffs for 275 yards.

Joining Beach on the offensive team are linemen Trent Henson (Bend, Ore./Summit), Jordan Myers (Estacada, Ore./Estacada) and Buddy Tuamasaga (Long Beach, Calif./Long Beach Poly). Henson and Myers were both members of the All-Independent team last season. Sophomore fullback Brent Koontz (Minden, Nev./Douglas) also made the team.

Defensively, lineman Will Watson (Myrtle Creek, Ore./South Umpqua), linebacker Kevin Harrell (Napa, Calif./Vintage) and defensive back Akeem Jackson (Mesa, Ariz./Mesa) made the team.

Watson finished with 39 tackles, 3.5 tackles-for-loss and two sacks last year. Harrell led the team with 76 tackles and Jackson had 27 tackles and two interceptions.

The Raiders will have their final preseason scrimmage Saturday at 9:15 a.m. in Raider Stadium and then they open up the 2009 season Aug. 29 at home when they host Eastern Oregon.