Abilene Christian’s Mitchell Gale and Texas A&M-Kingsville’s Jeremy Aguilar were tabbed Lone Star Conference Football Preseason Players of the Year for the 2012 season league officials announced Tuesday.
      ACU’s Gale was named Offensive Player of the Year, while TAMUK’s Aguilar claimed the Defensive Player of the Year award. 
      The league’s preseason awards were selected by a vote of LSC head coaches and sports information directors, plus various media representatives from throughout the region.
      Gale, a 6-2, 220-pound senior from Alva, Okla., enters the 2012 campaign on the verge of putting his name in the history books.  After throwing for 3,823 yards and 28 touchdowns last season, which earned him LSC Offensive Back of the Year acclaim, he now has 9,127 yards and 76 TDs in his three years as the starter.
      With 11 votes, Gale edged Midwestern State’s Brandon Kelsey, who received nine votes.      
      Aguilar, a 6-1, 235-pound senior from Los Angeles, Calif., is the reigning LSC Linebacker of the Year.  He led the Javelinas with 91 tackles last year while making 14 tackles for loss, 3.5 quarterback sacks and 11 quarterback hurries.
      Aguilar was the clear choice with 13 votes ahead of Tarleton State’s Marquis Wadley (four) and six others who garnered votes.