Tony Sierra Named Finalist for Inaugural Cliff Harris Award

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - The Little Rock Touchdown Club and Wright, Lindsey & Jennings LLP announced Defiance College senior defensive back Tony Sierra was named to a finalist for the 2013 Cliff Harris Award as the Small College Defensive Player of the Year.

The inaugural award will be presented annually to the top small college defensive football player in the country in NCAA Division II, III and NAIA. The award winner will be announced on Dec. 24 and honored at the Little Rock Touchdown Club's annual awards banquet in February 2014.

Sierra was named a finalist after a remarkable senior campaign that wrapped up with the Warren, Mich. native leading the nation in passes defended with 26 on the season. The senior also tied for the conference lead and was ranked 13th nationally in interceptions with five. Sierra made 39 tackles on the year and returned one fumble recovery for a score. 

Sierra has already brought in several postseason accolades. He was named to the All-HCAC First Team while being named the HCAC Defensive Player of the Year. Early this week, Sierra was named to the All-North Region Team with a first team selection.

The complete list of finalists can be found here.