Springfield, Mass. -- November 14, 2012 -- 11 members from the Springfield College football team have earned postseason recognition from the Liberty League for the 2012 season. In addition, freshman QB Jonathan Marrero has been named the league's Rookie of the Year.Four players earned first-team honors, four were named to the second team, and three were chosen as honorable mention in balloting determined by the Liberty League head coaches.
Headlining this group is Marrero, a first-year player from Boston, Mass. Marrero took over the QB duties in Springfield's fourth game, after SC's top two QBs suffered season-ending injuries in games #2 and #4. In a total of 6 1/2 games, Marrero rushed for 643 yards (third-best on the team) and eight touchdowns. He also completed 22 passes in 43 attempts for 504 yards and 10 touchdowns, while being intercepted just once. Because of Marrero, Springfield is currently ranked #1 in the nation in passing efficiency (200.68 rating) in Division III.
Named to the First Team were senior fullback Joel Altavesta (Tewksbury, Mass.), senior offensive lineman Duke Ekblom (Ganesvoort, N.Y.) on offense, sophomore defensive end Max Nacewicz (Newtown, Conn.) on defense, and senior punt returner Mike Davis (Madison, Conn.) on special teams. Altavesta led Springfield in rushing this past season with 866 yards and 11 TDs. Nacewicz is currently tied for fourth in the nation in sacks per game (1.35) and tied for 15th in the nation in tackles-for-loss with 1.85.
Named to the Second Team were running back Davis and junior offensive lineman Mike MacDonald (Dighton, Mass.) on offense, and senior linebacker Kevin Shields (Melville, N.Y.) and junior free safety Sam Weiss (Hoptacong, N.J.) on defense.
Named honorable mention were senior wide receiver Phil Baier (Braintree. Mass.), sophomore LB Michael Dublin (Portsmouth, R.I.), and senior placekicker Ricky Peacock (Tucker, Ga.).
The Pride finished the regular season with a 7-3 overall record, 5-2 in the Liberty League, good for third place. The Pride is currently ranked #2 in the nation in rushing offense with 338.90 yards per game.
SC will host Alfred University this Saturday (Nov. 17) at Amos Alonzo Stagg Field at 12 noon in the ECAC Division III Northeast Bowl.
Michael C. “Mike” DeLong ’74 enters his 31st season as a head football coach in the fall of 2012. He enters his 29th year at Springfield College alone. For the past 28 years, he has been the head coach at Springfield, his alma mater. Mike had also been the head coach at Maine Maritime in Castine, Maine in 1979 and 1980. Read more.
