Vance earns All-MIAA honors at Pittsburg State

By Andy Brown
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Updated: December 4, 2019

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Pittsburg State center Anders Vance recently earned All-MIAA recognition following his performance with the Gorillas this past season.

In his first year starting for the Pittsburg State football team on a full-time basis, Anders Vance certainly made his mark on the Gorilla offensive line.

Vance, a 2016 Louisburg High School graduate, was named to the All-MIAA honorable mention team as he was one of 17 Gorillas to be given postseason honors when the list was released late last month.

“It was an incredible to earn that honor,” Vance said. “I would not have been able to receive that honor without the amazing athletes that were playing at my side this season.”

Vance, who played center for the Gorillas, helped Pitt State accumulate 466 total yards a contest as it averaged nearly 41 points a game. Pitt State finished the season with a 6-5 record.

It has been a long road for the Pitt State junior, but it all seems to be paying off. After redshirting his freshman year, Vance saw action in five games in a reserve role last season, before taking the starting job in 2019 and he never let it go.

“It was awesome to be able represent Pitt State this season as a starter, and it wouldn’t have happened without my coaches and teammates pushing and believing me,” Vance said. “On the season, I played to the best of my ability and tried to do my job every play. That was the mindset the whole o-line had. We trusted each other to do our jobs every play and it was smooth running for the most part up front.”

Vance was a fixture on the offensive line for Louisburg as well as he was an all-league and all-state selection his senior season. He was also named to the 2016 Kansas Shrine Bowl.

There will be some changes within the Gorilla program next season as they look for a new head coach, but Vance is looking forward to one more final year no matter who is leading the team.

“This upcoming season is going to be exciting,” Vance said. “I look forward to getting into off-season training with my team and seeing us all grow in strength and speed, and to see what we can put on the field next year and what damage we can do.”