Norwich Selected as ECFC PreSeason Favorite

Norwich University was selected as the preseason favorite of the Eastern Collegiate Football Conference in a vote conducted by the league’s coaches. The Cadets were 8-3 during the 2009 campaign posting a perfect 6-0 mark in concerence play.

Mount Ida, who faced Norwich in the 2009 Championship Game, placed second with one first place vote. The Mustangs were followed by N.Y. Maritime, Husson and Gallaudet in third, fourth and fifth place resepectively. Castleton placed sixth, follwed by Becker and Anna Maria.

Unlike 2009, the 2010 season will not culminate in an ECFC Championship Game. Prepare for the upcoming 2010 season with a run down of the leagues eight teams. For more information on each of the ECFC squads, click on the logos below.  The information inside includes a key contact information and quick facts, a review of 2009 including schedule and stats and a preview of the upcoming season.

1. Norwich Cadets

The Cadets ended last year by winning their final eight games to finish with an 8-3 overall record and its first conference championship in the long and storied history of the program. With 19 starters returning to the team this year, head coach Shawn McIntyre is optimistic that 2010 could be another special season. The Cadets return nearly their entire offensive unit from last season’s championship squad, but they will have a couple of huge holes to fill on the defensive side of the ball with the graduation of all-conference standouts Reza Afsarmanesh and Donovan Brown.

2. Mount Id Mustangs

After making a name for themselves gaining a berth into ECFC championship game in 2009, Head Coach Michael Landers and the Mustangs will look to continue to ride the coattails of last year’s ECFC Offensive Player-of-the-Year and NCAA nationally ranked rusher Johrone Bunch to power  the Mustangs into contention for an NCAA tournament bid this season.  Bunch has also become the first ever Mustang to be selected as a Consensus Draft Services (CDS) Pre-Season All-American for 2010.

3. SUNY Maritime Privateers

The Maritime Football team is coming off a record breaking 2009 campaign in which they garnered their first winning season with a 6-4 record and finished one game out of the inaugural Eastern Collegiate Football Conference championship match. The nations 4th ranked rushing offense in 2009 will have to replace three All-Conference Offensive Linemen but has several experienced backups to plug in beside All-Conference senior Frank Adamo. Fullback, Jamie Spanopoulos, who finished the season ranked 5th nationally in scoring returns for his junior campaign along with an experience group of skill position players that includes twin brothers John and Anthony Gagliano at running back and quarterback respectively. The Privateers return an experienced and stingy group that finished in the nation’s top 10 in Pass Defense, 1st Down Defense and Red Zone Defense in 2009.

4. Husson Eagles

With a strong group of returners and a dedicated staff, the Eagles look to lay the groundwork for a successful season for 2010 in the Eastern Collegiate Football Conference.

Head coach Niles Nelson announced captains Chris Dalecki, Brad Deuring, Kyle Romick, Roderick Johnson, and Justin Linde to lead the 2010 team.

5. Gallaudet Bison

Coach Chuck Goldstein is set to make his debut as the head coach for Gallaudet in 2010. The Bison were on the cusp of a post-season bowl berth last season as the they finished tied for second in the Eastern Collegiate Football Conference (ECFC). GU won its final three games and will take that winning streak into 2010. The Bison were ranked as the sixth best total defense in Division III last season. That same defense was fourth in pass defense. GU returns nine starters on that defense in 2010 led by ECFC Rookie of the Year Tom Pangia. On offense the Bison rolled up 290 yards rushing per game, ninth best in Division III. Senior quarterback Jimmy Gardner is back and ready to lead the Bison in 2010.

6. Castleton Spartans

Perhaps the biggest asset in closing the gap between the Spartans and the rest of the Eastern Collegiate Football Conference (ECFC), will be experience. In 2009 the preseason camp featured roughly 100 players who had never experienced a preseason. All-ECFC First Team quarterback Shane Brozowski (Rensselaer, N.Y.) leads a talented group of returners on offense, which includes eight starters. The Spartan defense welcomes back 14 letter winners from 2009, including defensive player of the year Cody TanCreti.

7. Becker Hawks

Despite struggling through an 0-10 season in 2009 there is no shortage of enthusiasm in preseason football camp at Becker College. Third year head coach Bill McDonald and his staff have brought in over 30 freshmen to help reinforce their roster and challenge the upper classmen for playing time.

8. Anna Maria AMCATS

Although Anna Maria’s inaugural year ended without a win, there were many positives to take away from the 2009 season. With a team comprised of nearly all freshmen, the AMCATS showed the ability to compete with several well established programs, even holding a lead over Fitchburg State late into the first half of their home opener. The team also finished first in the Eastern Collegiate Football Conference (ECFC) in red zone offense, scoring on 93.3% of their trips inside their opponent’s 20-yard line. In addition, the AMCATS received strong performances from several young potential stars, displaying a glimpse of what’s to come in the near future.