MANCHESTER, N.H. – Twenty-nine players representing 19 different teams have been named to the 2016 New England Football Writers Division II/III All-New England team.
The Eastern Collegiate Football Conference (ECFC) saw four players recorgnized. Sean Chinova of Mount Ida College was selected as an All-New England linebacker after his impressive senior campaign. ECFC League Champion, Husson University, saw three players recognized in Defensive Lineman Luke Washburn, Offensive Lineman Nick Lewis and Running Back John Smith.
Chinova racked up 96 tackles for the Mustangs and led the team with 17 tackles for loss, fourth in the conference. The senior had two interceptions, three blocked kicks and two pass breakups, and he scooped up a fumble and returned it 83 yards for a touchdown in the season finale. In addition to his All-New England selection, he also earned a spot on the ECFC's First Team All-Conference squad for the third straight year.
Washburn anchored a Husson defensive unit that allowed the least points per game (15.4), total yards per game (162.2) and rushing yards per game (28.7). The junior also led the league in sacks (12) and sack yards (77) while being tied for first in tackle for loss yards (95). Washburn was also recognized as ECFC Defensive Player of the Year.
Lewis anchored an Eagle offensive line that earned a league best 470.8 yards per game, 40.0 points per game, and 57 total touchdowns on the season. He also led an offensive line that was impressive in quarterback protection; surrendering only nine total sacks to their opponents and not allowing a single sack in four contests. In addition to All-New England honors, Lewis was also named the ECFC's Offeinsive Lineman of the Year.
The ECFC Offensive Player of the Year, Smith, led the entire conference in rushes (277), yards (1,715), yards per game (171.5), and touchdowns (17) without a turnover. The running back scored at least one touchdown and surpassed the 100 yard mark in all but two contests, and surpassed the 200 yard mark twice. This marks Smith's third straight selection to the All-New England team.
Northeast-10 Conference champion Assumption College, Eastern Collegiate Football Conference champion Husson University, and New England Small College Athletic Conference titlist Trinity College lead the team with three selections each. New England Football Conference champion Western New England University has two picks as do American International College, Bentley University and Salve Regina University.
Also named to the squad were players from Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference champion Bridgewater State University, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, Framingham State University, Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Middlebury College, Mt. Ida College, the University of New Haven, Plymouth State University, Stonehill College, Tufts University, UMass Dartmouth, and WPI.
The Division II Northeast-10 Conference had nine players selected, while from Division III the New England Small College Athletic Conference, the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference and the New England Football Conference had five selections each. The Eastern Collegiate Football Conference had four selections, and one player came from WPI which is not currently affiliated with a New England football playing conference.
The team will be honored at the New England Football Writers Captains and Awards Banquet on Thursday, December 8, at the Montvale Plaza, in Stoneham, Mass. People interested in attending should contact Dick Lipe at Bentley University at 781-891-2334.
For a full list of honorees click here.
