Thursday, November 21, 2013

Fourteen Warriors make MAC's All-Conference Team

Jr RB Craig Needhammer 1st Team All-Conference
WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – Lycoming College seniors Dwight Hentz (Halifax, Pa./Halifax Area) and Tyler Denike (South Boardman, Mich./Forest Area) and juniors Craig Needhammer (Lansdale, Pa./North Penn) and Tanner Troutman (Hegins, Pa./Tri-Valley) earned First Team All-Middle Atlantic Conference honors to highlight a group of 13 players who earned all-conference honors, the conference office in Annville, Pa.,
announced on Thursday, Nov. 21.

Four players – junior quarterback Tyler Jenny (Coalport, Pa./Glendale), senior wide receiver Matt Atkinson (Media, Pa./Penncrest), senior offensive lineman Garrett Harman (Jacobus, Pa./Dallastown Area) and senior linebacker Kabongo Bukasa (Sharon Hill, Pa./Academy Park) - earned second-team all-conference accolades. Five earned honorable mention all-conference honors – senior kicker/punter Zack Czap (Philipsburg, Pa./Philipsburg-Osceola), senior tight end Greg Kovacs (Philadelphia, Pa./Father Judge), junior fullback Nick Mongiello (East Windsor, N.J./Hightstown), junior offensive lineman Casey Strus (Glenolden, Pa./Cardinal O'Hara) and junior linebacker Kyle Sullivan (Coatesville, Pa./Bishop Shanahan).

#64 Dwight Hentz
Hentz enjoyed a monster season for the Warriors, finishing with 55 tackles, 12.5 for loss and 6.5 sacks. He also forced and recovered a fumble. He earned D3football.com Team of the Week honors twice, posting 3.5 sacks against Widener and 1.5 sacks and 2.5 tackles for loss against FDU-Florham. He was a second-team all-conference and second-team all-region as a junior.

#35 Tyler Denike
Denike was all over the field this season for the Warriors, as he became the 11th First Team All-MAC linebacker during linebackers coach Mike Weber's 25 years with the program. The former Division I basketball player led the team with 70 tackles, including 5.5 for loss, two interceptions and two pass breakups. He is also a repeater on the squad, earning second-team all-conference honors as a junior.

#23 Craig Needhammer
Needhammer enjoyed one of the finest seasons ever for a Warrior running back. The 5-7 grinder rushed for more than 100 yards seven times, one shy of the school's single-season record, which was set by Brian Thompson (1997), when the team played 13 games en route to the national championship game. Needhammer tied the school-record for touchdowns in a season with 14, set by Tim Deasey (2001) and Thompson (1998). He also finished the season with 1,184 rushing yards, good for fifth in program history, and 1,539 all-purpose yards, fourth in program annals. He also helped a Warrior running back earn all-conference honors for the seventh straight year.

#39 Tanner Troutman
Troutman, a First Team D3Football.com Preseason All-American, lived up to the hype, finishing the regular season tied for the national lead with eight interceptions. The versatile safety also finished with 58 tackles, including 0.5 for a loss. He earned two D3Football.com Team of the Week and Beyond Sport Network Team of the Week accolades, posting two interceptions in a win over nationally-ranked Delaware Valley and a school-record three against Stevenson. He also broke up six passes, helping him tie for the league lead with 14 passes defended. Troutman was a third-team all-region pick and a second-team all-conference selection as a sophomore.

Jenny became the first Warrior quarterback to earn a spot on the first or second all-conference team since Colin Dwyer in 2008. He led the league with a 150.0 passing efficiency, as he completed 161-of-246 passing for 2,038 yards and 16 touchdowns. He completed 65.4 percent of his passes, the second-best mark in the league while being intercepted just eight times. The 14th Warrior in school history to pass for 2,000 yards in a season, he tossed for more than 200 yards five times this year. He also ran for three scores. Jenny was an honorable mention all-conference selection as a sophomore.

Atkinson enjoyed a breakthrough season, posting 62 receptions to finish second in the league. He also notched 800 receiving yards, which was sixth in the league. He had at least three receptions in all 10 games and posted two 100-yard receiving games. He finished ninth in school history with 800 receiving yards and third with 62 receptions. He also posted six touchdowns.

Hartman picked up Second Team All-MAC honors for the second straight year, as the left tackle once again started all 10 games for the team. He helped the offense average more than 350 yards per game and helped lead the team to wins over two nationally-ranked opponents.

Bukasa picked up the third all-conference honors of his career, earning second-team accolades for the second time. A preseason All-American, Bukasa finished with 52 tackles, making at least four stops in all nine games he played in despite dealing with a leg injury all season. The 2012 MAC Defensive Player of the Year added 4.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks on the season, plus notched one interception and added one pass breakup. He also reached 200 career tackles during the season.

Czap, a two-time first-team all-conference punter and one-time first-team all-conference kicker, hit 6-of-10 field goals and 30-of-34 extra points. He knocked down three field goals, including a game-winning 33-yarder against Widener, and also knocked down a game-tying 35-yarder against Albright with 18 seconds left, then sealed the win with an overtime field goal. He earned two Beyond Sports Network Athlete of the Week nods and one D3football.com Team of the Week selection. As a punter, he earned the fourth all-conference nod of his career, landing 12 of 45 punts inside the 20 and helping the Warriors net a conference-best 35.5 yards per kick. He finished third in the league with a 38.1 yards per punt average and earned two MAC Special Teams Player of the Week awards, giving him a school-record eight in his career.

Kovacs, a block first tight end, helped the Warriors average 26.5 points per game and 355.7 yards of total offense. The team captain also caught three passes for 23 yards, as he became the first Warrior tight end to earn all-conference honors since Adam Paulhamus in 2009.

Mongiello picked up honorable mention all-conference honors for the second straight year, as the block-first fullback started all 10 games and caught 10 passes for 95 yards and two scores. He also rushed four times for 76 yards and a score, including a team season-long 50-yard rumbling touchdown against FDU-Florham.

Strus started all 10 games at center for the Warriors, helping Needhammer rush for 100 yards seven times and Jenny throw for 200 yards five times.

Sullivan picked up his first all-conference accolades, as all three starting linebackers earned all-conference accolades. He posted 12 tackles in the win over nationally-ranked Delaware Valley and notched five or more tackles in seven games. He finished the year with 59 tackles, five for loss and both a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. He also broke up one pass.

The Warriors finished 7-3 overall and 7-2 in the MAC under sixth-year head coach Mike Clark. The team claimed a share of the 15th MAC title in school history, tying for first with Lebanon Valley.

2013 Middle Atlantic Conference Football All-Conference Teams

Offensive Player of the YearAnthony DavisWidener
Defensive Player of the YearFrank GaffneyLebanon Valley
Rookie of the YearSeth KleinWidener
Coach of the YearJim MonosLebanon Valley
1st Team All-Conference
PositionNameSchoolYearHometownHigh School
QuarterbackTJ LuddyAlbrightSR
Bethlehem, Pa.
Freedom
QuarterbackAaron WilmerDelaware ValleyJR
Philadelphia, Pa.
George Washington
Running BackCraig NeedhammerLycomingJR
Lansdale, Pa.
North Penn
Running BackKyle SchuberthDelaware ValleySRDarby, Pa.
Monsignor Bonner
FullbackEvan FinkLebanon ValleySR
Schuylkill Haven, Pa.
Schuylkill Haven
Tight EndEric WadeAlbrightSR
Bristol, Pa.
Bristol
Wide ReceiverRasheed BaileyDelaware ValleyJR
Philadelphia, Pa.
Roxborough
Wide ReceiverAnthony DavisWidenerJR
Upland, Pa.
Chester
Wide ReceiverDan KempaKing'sJR
Susquehanna, Pa.
Blue Ridge
Offensive LineJosh BarndtAlbrightSR
Quakertown, Pa.
Quakertown
Offensive LineWilliam CarterDelaware ValleySR
Pottstown, Pa.
Pottstown
Offensive LineBrendan KozubLebanon ValleySR
Richboro, Pa.
Council Rock North
Offensive LineMike PacittiWidenerSR
West Deptford, N.J.
West Deptford
Offensive LineJosh WallaceDelaware ValleySO
Philadelphia, Pa.
Northeast
Defensive LineRon GarrettKing'sSR
Columbus, N.J.
North Burlington
Defensive LineDwight HentzLycomingSR
Halifax, Pa.
Halifax
Defensive LineShakore PhilipWidenerSO
 Bayshore, N.Y.
Bayshore
Defensive LineKevin SmithLebanon ValleySR
Nazareth, Pa.
Pen Argyl
LinebackerTyler DenikeLycomingSR
South Boardman, Mich.
Forest Area
LinebackerDylan DitmerWidenerSR
Exton, Pa.
Downingtown East
LinebackerFrank GaffneyLebanon ValleyJR
Pine Grove, Pa.
Blue Mountain
LinebackerTate Moore-JacobsWilkesSR
New Cumberland, Pa.
Cedar Cliff
Defensive BackColin MastersonWidenerSR
Swarthmore, Pa.
Ridley
Defensive BackDrew PetersonAlbrightSR
Bristol, Pa.
Harry S. Truman
Defensive BackTanner TroutmanLycomingJR
Hegins, Pa.
Tri-Valley
Defensvie BackDanny WynneDelawareValleySO
Hatfield, Pa.
North Penn
PunterTJ LuddyAlbrightSR
Bethlehem, Pa.
Freedom
Place KickerDan SobolewskiAlbrightSO
Linden, N.J.
Linden
Special Teams PlayerAnthony DavisWidenerJR
Upland, Pa.
Chester
2nd Team All-Conference
PositionNameSchoolYearHometownHigh School
QuarterbackTyler JennyLycomingJRCoalport, Pa.Glendale
Running BackAustin HartmanLycomingJR
Jacobus, Pa.
Dallastown Area
Running BackCouve LaFateWidenerJR
Wilmington, Del.
Henderson
FullbackNick DawsonWilkesJR
Montoursville, Pa.
Montoursville
Tight EndDoug Van OrdenFDU-FlorhamSR
Madison, N.J.
Madison
Wide ReceiverMatt AtkinsonLycomingSR
Media, Pa.
Penncrest
Wide ReceiverDevron ClarkAlbrightSR
Long Branch, N.J.
Long Branch
Wide ReceiverDaniel McNairAlbrightSR
Mays Landing, N.J
Holy Spirit
Offensive LineJohn AlvarezDelaware ValleySR
Landisville, N.J.
Buena
Offensive LineJohn AmeenMisericordiaSO
Pittston Township, PA
Pittstown
Offensive LineGarrett HartmanLycomingJR
Jacobus, Pa.
Dallastown Area
Offensive LineJake JardelWilkesSR
Cresco, Pa.
East Stroudsburg
Offensive LineDavid WrightStevensonJRBaltimore, Md.Cardinal Gibbons
Defensive LineZach HalpinLebanon ValleySR
Lancaster, Pa.
Lampeter Strasburg
Defensive LineJT HardingAlbrightSR
Wilmington, Del.
Concord
Defensive LineMatt PattisonAlbrightSR
Perkasie, Pa.
Pennridge
Defensive LineStacey SunnervilleWidenerSO
Freehold, N.J.
Freehold
LinebackerKabongo BukasaLycomingSR
Sharon Hill, Pa.
Academy Park
LinebackerAndrew BurkholderLebanon ValleySR
Ephrata, Pa.
Ephrata
LinebackerMatt FilosaAlbrightSR
Jackson, N.J.
Jackson Liberty
LinebackerKen Kenner-EnglishDelaware ValleySO
Philadelphia, Pa.
Roman Catholic
Defensive BackJosh BorreliLebanon ValleySR
Hummelstown, Pa
Lower Dauphin
Defensive BackLevi MyersAlbrightSR
York, Pa.
Eastern York
Defensive BackOmar RichardsonWilkesJR
East Stroudsburg, Pa.
East Stroudsburg North
Defensvie BackChris StephensAlbrightJR
Wyncote, Pa.
Cheltenham
PunterJake ZeiglerLebanon ValleySR
Mechanicsburg, Pa.
Mechanicsburg
Place KickerSean FaketeLebanon ValleySR
Harrisburg, Pa.
Central Dauphin
Special Teams PlayerJeromie MillerStevensonSRReisterstown, Md.Franklin
Honorable Mention
PositionNameSchoolYearHometownHigh School
Special TeamsMichael AnuskyDelaware ValleySO
Philadelphia, Pa.
Archbishop Ryan
Wide ReceiverDavid ClaybrookWilkesFR
Piscataway, N.J.
Piscataway
Place Kicker and PunterZack CzapLycomingSR
Philipsburg, Pa.
Philipsburg-Osceola
Defensive LineJohn DiBiaseWidenerJR
Mount Laurel, N.J.
Lenape
Wide ReceiverAnthony FruncilloFDU-FlorhamSR
Tinton Falls, N.J.
Monmouth Regional
Tight EndAlex GeorgeWilkesSR
York, Pa.
West York
Offensive LineMatt DiGiacomoAlbrightSR
Lafayette Hill, Pa.
La Salle College
Defensive LineDon GouldAlbrightSR
Baltimore, Md
Cardinal Gibbons
Offensive LineKyle GramppKing'sSR
Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
East Stroudsburg North
Offensive LineBilly GuntherStevensonJRBel Air, Md.Bel Air
Running BackTy HughesAlbrightSR
Point Pleasant, N.J.
Point Pleasant Boro
Defensive LineDarius JohnsonWidenerSR
Baltimore, Md.
National Academy Foundation
Line BackerDavid KennedyLebanon ValleySR
Bainbridge, Pa.
Elizabethtown
QuarterbackSeth KleinWidenerFR
Wernersville, Pa.
Wilson West Lawn
Defensive LineJon KoslopWilkesFR
Hazleton, Pa.
Hazelton
Tight EndGreg KovacsLycomingSR
Philadelphia, Pa.
Father Judge
Defensive BackBilly LewisStevensonSOCentreville, Md.Queen Anne's
Line BackerMike MancinoFDU-FlorhamSR
Weston, Fl.
Cypress Bay
Line BackerJohn MarcellineDelaware ValleySR
Bensalem, Pa.
Bensalem
Wide ReceiverJoey MillerLebanon ValleySR
Elizabethtown, Pa.
Lower Dauphin
Wide ReceiverJeromie MillerStevensonSRReisterstown, Md.Franklin
FullbackNick MongielloLycomingJR
East Windsor, N.J.
Highstown
QuarterbackJeff PuckettMisericordiaSO
Dunellen, N.J.
Dunellen
Wide ReceiverJermaine QuattlebaumWidenerSR
Upper Marlboro, Md.
Largo
Offensive LineZack SmithLebanon ValleySO
Hummelstown, Pa.
Lower Dauphin
Place KickerBrandon SnyderDelaware ValleyJR
Shillington, Pa.
Governor Mifflin
Tight EndMax StellaDelaware ValleyJR
Doylestown, Pa.
Central Bucks West
Offensive LineCasey StrusLycomingJR
Glenolden, Pa.
Cardinal O'Hara
Line BackerKyle SullivanLycomingJR
Coatesville, Pa.
Bishop Shanahan