Every once in a while, you can’t help but be left speechless.

As surprising as it sounds to all you opinionated people, it actually can happen.

One of these instances could have happened Tuesday.

While sitting in the newsroom, I was asked to write a story on the newly released MAC football All-Conference team.

Excellent, I thought.

What better way to familiarize myself with the conference and do the Huskie football players justice by writing a good story?

I picked up the press release that contained the two teams and the honorable mention selections.

I read the first and second-team offensive units.

No surprises.

Thomas Hammock made his second straight first-team selection and place-kicker Steve Azar improved on his honorable mention selection from last year with a first-team selection this season. Darrell Hill made the second team unit averaging just over four catches a game in the last five contests. Offensive lineman Tim Vincent battled through injury to make the second team squad.

On to the first-team defense.

Before I started reading the release, I thought that the Huskies would put three players on the first-team defense.

Larry Williams should repeat as an all-MAC first-teamer, Nick Duffy should join fellow linebacker Williams on the team and Vince Thompson should earn his first selection.

Let the speechlessness begin.

Williams, the only junior captain on this year’s Huskie team, made honorable mention All-MAC.

Last season, Williams made the first-team squad by recording 112 total tackles, good enough for fifth in the league. Williams also ranked third in the MAC in solo tackles with 78.

This season, according to MAC statistics, Williams ranked fourth in total tackles with 122 and tied for first in solo tackles with 91, eight more than MAC defensive player of the year, Marshall linebacker Max Yates.

Do the math.

Williams increased his total tackles by 10 and had 13 more solo stops this season than he did last year.

Statistically, Duffy had a better season the Williams.

Duffy ranked third in the league in total tackles with 125 and tied Williams for the lead in solo stops with 91.

Duffy did not even make honorable mention all-conference.

Thompson was my lone selection that made the first team.

The junior led the conference in interceptions with five, two of which he returned for touchdowns.

Call me biased, but the numbers never lie.