On Thursday, the Southland Conference announced its preseason All-Conference Football teams and a familiar name to local sports fans was chosen as a first-team player.

Nicholls State offensive lineman and 2015 Franklinton High School graduate P.J. Burkhalter earned the prestigious honor.

Last year, Burkhalter was an all-conference honorable mention player.

Burkhalter, who is a redshirt junior, is the only returning starter on the offensive line for the Colonels.

The season starts on Aug. 31 for the Colonels and we wish Nicholls good luck this year.