DANBURY, Conn. – The Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) announced its 2014 Division III North Football All-Star teams on Monday afternoon, and a pair of athletes from Mount Ida College's defensive unit were both recognized as Second Team selections. Linebacker Sean Chinova (Watertown, Conn.) and defensive lineman Dom Spaulding (W. Hartford, Conn.) were selected among the best players in the region.
Both were already named to the First Team of the Eastern Collegiate Football Conference (ECFC), and Spaulding was tabbed as All-New England by the New England Football Writer's (NEFW) this year as well.
Spaulding racked up 10.5 sacks to lead the conference, and 17 of his 45 tackles went for a loss, placing him 22nd in the country in tackles for a loss per game (1.9). He led the conference in yards from tackles for a loss (78) and in forced fumbles, with four. Against Becker, Spaulding had three of Mount Ida's program-record nine sacks and set a new Mustang football record with eight tackles for a loss.
Sanders recorded double-digit tackles in three games, and had 8.5 tackles for a loss and two sacks on the season. His 73 total tackles from the nose guard position was tied for 12th in the conference. Sanders and Spaulding were both Honorable Mention honorees for the first time a year ago.
In just his sophomore season, Chinova led the ECFC with 112 tackles, and was tied for 24th in all of Division 3 in tackles per game, while also managing a fumble force and recovery, a sack, an interception, a pass breakup and a pair of blocked kicks that led directly to a 14-12 Mustangs win at Anna Maria. Chinova had 14+ tackles in four games this year, including 15 to start the season against UMass Dartmouth and to end the year against Husson.
Mount Ida was one of just two teams from the ECFC to place players in the ECAC North All-Star teams, joining conference champion Husson, who had three players recognized.
Spaulding and Chinova follow Mount Ida cornerback Jovan Wilkins (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.), who was an ECAC All-Star after his junior season in 2013.
St. John Fisher College senior quarterback Tyler Fenti (Honeoye Falls, N.Y.) was named Offensive Player of the Year, while senior defensive end Tyre Coleman (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.) of Hobart College earned Defensive Player of the Year honors. Rochester freshman quarterback Dan Bronson (Lockport, N.Y.) was named Offensive Rookie of the Year and Ithaca College freshman linebacker Kenneth Bradley (Jackson, N.J.) earned Defensive Rookie of the Year accolades. Massachusetts Institute of Technology head coach Chad Martinovich was tabbed Coach of the Year.
Representatives from ECAC Division III North member institutions completed the voting.
The ECAC will host the Annual Eastern College Football Awards Banquet featuring the ECAC Football Awards and Lambert Meadowlands Awards on Thursday, February 19, 2015 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. from 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. The banquet will honor teams and individuals for their on-field performances during the 2014 season. Click here for event registration and information.
