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NEW YORK - The West Liberty University football team made headlines across the nation Thursday when four members were named to The Associated Press's 76th annual Little All-America Team.

West Liberty was the only team in the nation with three first-team picks in quarterback Zach Amedro, tight end Ryan Travis and cornerback Derrick Evans named to the elite list. Offensive lineman Ben Staggs was a second-team All-America honoree.

The Hilltoppers are the only West Virginia Conference team represented on the prestigious squad.

The AP Little All-America Team encompasses all college football players from NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III and NAIA institutions. It served as the nation's only small-college All-America team for more than three decades and is still regarded as the most selective of all the postseason All-America teams.

West Liberty is coming off a school-record 11-2 season that saw the No. 9-ranked Hilltoppers advance to the national quarterfinals in their first venture into NCAA Division II postseason play.

The West Virginia Conference champions led the nation in scoring and total offense, highlighted by a record-shattering 84-63 victory against Edinboro (Pa.) in the second round of the NCAA Division II playoffs.

Amedro, a 6-foot, 200-pound junior from Moundsville, was the runner-up in voting for the Harlon Hill Award as the NCAA Division II Player of the Year. He led the nation - all divisions - with 49 touchdown passes while his 4,945 passing yards rank No. 2 in NCAA Division II history. Amedro was the only college quarterback in the country to amass more than 300 yards in passing and total offense in every game this season. His current streak of 13 consecutive 300-yard games is an NCAA Division II record.

Travis, a 6-3, 245-pound junior from Massillon, Ohio, set a school record with 104 catches this season. He had eight or more receptions in nine of the Hilltoppers' 13 games and finished with 14 TD catches and 1,250 receiving yards.

Evans, a 5-8, 180-pound senior from Prichard led the West Virginia Conference and tied for the national lead with nine interceptions. His school-record 21 pass breakups and 30 passes defended also led the nation.

Staggs, a 6-4, 275-pound senior from Wooster, Ohio, led an offensive line that cleared the way for Division II's most prolific offense. A three-year starter and four-year letterman, Staggs was selected as one of eight national finalists for the Gene Upshaw Award as the NCAA Division II Lineman of the Year.

This marks the third straight season that West Liberty has had at least one player earn first-team Little All-America honors.

Defensive back Darren Banks was a first-team selection on last season's team while wide receiver Almonzo Banks - no relation - was a 2007 AP Little All-American.

Amedro is joined in this season's backfield by running backs Joique Bell of Wayne State (Mich.) - the Harlon Hill Award winner - and Isaac Odim of Minnesota-Duluth.

Receivers are Frantz Simeon of Arkansas Tech and Cecil Shorts of Mount Union (Ohio) with Travis at tight end.

The offensive line is led by Blaine Westemeyer of Wisconsin-Whitewater - the first lineman to win the NCAA Division III Player of the Year Award. Rounding out the forward wall are Brett Grotzinger of Northwest Missouri State, Tony Washington of Abilene Christian, Jared Veldheer of Hillsdale (Mich.) and Nick McDonald of Grand Valley State.

Fred Bruno of Wayne State (Neb.) is the all-purpose selection while the kicker is Steve Ivanisevic of Washburn (Kan.).

Defensive line selections include Willie Walker of California (Pa.), Cedric Thornton of Southern Arkansas, Montrell Craft of North Alabama and Eddie Vallery of Division III Wittenberg (Ohio).

North Alabama's Michael Johnson, John Jacobs of Saginaw Valley State (Mich.) and Kyle Gesswein of Division III Delaware Valley are the linebackers.

Evans is joined in the defensive secondary by Josh Jones of Harding (Ala.), Quintez Smith of Shaw (N.C.) and Dominique Dixon of Division III Montclair State (N.J.). North Carolina-Pembroke's Justin Hinson is the punter.