Messner named Defensive Player of the Year; eight others make All-CCC team
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Commonwealth Coast Football (CCC Football) announced the 2019 All-Conference Teams and major award winners on Tuesday (Nov. 19) morning. All eight CCC Football teams had student-athletes honored on this year's list with 62 student-athletes recognized in total. Western New England and Endicott each had 13 selections to lead the group.
Voting was conducted by the eight CCC Football head coaches via conference call on Sunday (Nov. 17) afternoon following the conclusion of the regular season.
Many of the major awards this year were shared honors as Western New England's Alec Coleman(Arlington, Mass.) and Endicott's Joe Kalosky (Plymouth, Conn.) were both named Offensive Player of the Year. The Defensive Player of the Year award was also a shared honor with WNE's Erich Keutmann(Washingtonville, N.Y.) and Salve Regina's Matt Messner (Midland Park, N.J.) both being selected. Three linemen were recognized as major award winners – one on offense and two on defense. The Gulls' Kha-lil Goodman (Bellmore, N.Y.) earned his second straight Offensive Lineman of the Year honor, while his teammate Sam Opont (Bridgeport, Conn.) and Curry's Hunter Atwood (Reading, Mass.) were both named Defensive Lineman of the Year. Becker's Randy Morgan (Spring Hills, Fla.) and the University of New England's Will Peters (Dracut, Mass.) were voted the Offensive and Defensive Rookies of the Year, respectively. Golden Bear senior Liam McDonnell (Methuen, Mass.) was awarded the Hal Chalmers Award, which is recognizes a graduating student-athlete for both his academic and athletic achievements throughout his collegiate career. WNE head coach Jason Lebeauwas selected by his peers as Coach of the Year and Becker received the Team Sportsmanship award.
Messner was the leader of the Salve Regina defense, finishing second in the conference in solo tackles (63), assisted tackles (47), and total tackles (110). His solo total ranked him 12th on the NCAA Division III leaderboard, while his total tackles placed him 18th. Messner was also great at getting into the backfield as he tied for third in the league in tackles for loss with 12. This season, the junior linebacker recorded 1.5 sacks, forced two fumbles, recovered a fumble, and broke up three pass attempts. He produced double-digit tackles in all but one game, including two games when he had 10 solo takedowns.
Joining Messner on the first team are running back Joey Mauriello, center Michael Saunders, defensive backs Justin Jantorno and Matt Sylvia, and defensive lineman Jack Guelfi. On the second team for Salve Regina are guard Kyle Wisniewski, tackle Elian Telford, and defensive lineman Nicholas Poillucci.
For the full release from the CCC, CLICK HERE.