The NEC should hand out its postseason awards on Wednesday, so with the season over and Sacred Heart getting ready for its first round playoff match-up against Fordham, ColonialsCorner decided to take a stab at the major NEC awards and see which Colonials are candidates for postseason recognition.
Here's our picks for the major individual awards:
Offensive Player of the Year - Kyle Harbridge, Saint Francis
The leading rusher in the league this season, Harbridge was Saint Francis' offense. Everything ran through him, and he was the reason Saint Francis was in it until the final weeks. It's taking some time, but the Red Flash are slowly building something for the first time out in Loretto.
Defensive Player of the Year - Mike Cook, Robert Morris
There are a couple of strong candidates, including Bryant DE Jeff Covitz, Saint Francis CB DaQuan Minter and Sacred Heart DB JD Roussel. But Cook gets the nod here because defense was such an important component of Robert Morris' success and late season contention. His program record 117 tackles and ability to spark a defense that helped spur a sudden assault on first place in the NEC was incredible.
Offensive Rookie of the Year - R.J. Noel, Sacred Heart
Perhaps the easiest decision of the year, Noel is a major reason why Sacred Heart went from afterthought to champion. He was fifth in the NEC in rushing as a quarterback, had 23 touchdown passes to just seven interceptions (both the best marks in the NEC) and helped provide the perfect counter-punch to Keshaudas Spence. He'll be a threat for years to come.
Defensive Rookie of the Year - Lorenzo Jerome, Saint Francis
Another runaway decision. Jerome had six interceptions, tied for the league lead with his teammate Minter and Sacred Heart's Roussel. Most remarkable: He's not only a freshman, but he's a true freshman. He could be torturing opposing QBs for quite some time in the NEC.
Coach of the Year - Mark Nofri, Sacred Heart
Tremendous work to turn the Pioneers into a contender. In a league with a number of long-tenured coaches, Nofri's a breath of fresh air. Now the real challenge: Turning Sacred Heart into a perennial contender, not just occasional.
Robert Morris' First Team All-NEC Candidates:
P - Tony LaMancusa (led the league in punting average, should be a lock)
RS - Antwan Eddie (among the nation's best in punt returns, should be a lock)
LB - Mike Cook (led the league in tackles, should be a lock)
WR - Duane Mitchell (second in the NEC in a number of receiving categories, will battle with Gianni Carter for second spot behind Jordan Harris)
Second Team All-NEC Candidates:
DB - Antwan Eddie (sixth in INTs, had a public lockdown of Jordan Harris against Bryant)
LB - Kyle Cooper (third in the NEC in tackles; some of the guys with less tackles but more sacks will get first-team nods)
DL - A.J. Holderman (6th in sacks, 8th in tackles for loss)
DB - D.J. Myers (9th in tackles, 2nd among all DBs, lot of competition though)
Here's our picks for the major individual awards:
Offensive Player of the Year - Kyle Harbridge, Saint Francis
The leading rusher in the league this season, Harbridge was Saint Francis' offense. Everything ran through him, and he was the reason Saint Francis was in it until the final weeks. It's taking some time, but the Red Flash are slowly building something for the first time out in Loretto.
Defensive Player of the Year - Mike Cook, Robert Morris
There are a couple of strong candidates, including Bryant DE Jeff Covitz, Saint Francis CB DaQuan Minter and Sacred Heart DB JD Roussel. But Cook gets the nod here because defense was such an important component of Robert Morris' success and late season contention. His program record 117 tackles and ability to spark a defense that helped spur a sudden assault on first place in the NEC was incredible.
Offensive Rookie of the Year - R.J. Noel, Sacred Heart
Perhaps the easiest decision of the year, Noel is a major reason why Sacred Heart went from afterthought to champion. He was fifth in the NEC in rushing as a quarterback, had 23 touchdown passes to just seven interceptions (both the best marks in the NEC) and helped provide the perfect counter-punch to Keshaudas Spence. He'll be a threat for years to come.
Defensive Rookie of the Year - Lorenzo Jerome, Saint Francis
Another runaway decision. Jerome had six interceptions, tied for the league lead with his teammate Minter and Sacred Heart's Roussel. Most remarkable: He's not only a freshman, but he's a true freshman. He could be torturing opposing QBs for quite some time in the NEC.
Coach of the Year - Mark Nofri, Sacred Heart
Tremendous work to turn the Pioneers into a contender. In a league with a number of long-tenured coaches, Nofri's a breath of fresh air. Now the real challenge: Turning Sacred Heart into a perennial contender, not just occasional.
Robert Morris' First Team All-NEC Candidates:
P - Tony LaMancusa (led the league in punting average, should be a lock)
RS - Antwan Eddie (among the nation's best in punt returns, should be a lock)
LB - Mike Cook (led the league in tackles, should be a lock)
WR - Duane Mitchell (second in the NEC in a number of receiving categories, will battle with Gianni Carter for second spot behind Jordan Harris)
Second Team All-NEC Candidates:
DB - Antwan Eddie (sixth in INTs, had a public lockdown of Jordan Harris against Bryant)
LB - Kyle Cooper (third in the NEC in tackles; some of the guys with less tackles but more sacks will get first-team nods)
DL - A.J. Holderman (6th in sacks, 8th in tackles for loss)
DB - D.J. Myers (9th in tackles, 2nd among all DBs, lot of competition though)
