Six weeks of the New England D-III Football season is officially in the books.
A slew of our top teams was idle this past weekend, including top-ranked WPI, along with Endicott College and Western New England. All three teams return to the gridiron this week, but we did see a few teams make some moves, including Springfield College which scored an important road win against Coast Guard Academy.
Williams College inched closer to the top ten with its fourth win of the season – the Ephs beat Hamilton College – while Wesleyan University moved up one spot after beating Tufts University under the lights last Saturday in Connecticut.
Husson University returned to the poll following a two-point win over Curry College, while Bridgewater State secured the 20th position with an important win over Worcester State last Friday.
As usual, make sure to stay connected with our New England football coverage on Twitter by following @Noontime_FB today!
New England D-III Football Week Seven Poll| October 14th, 2019
1. WPI
5-0, 2-0 NEWMAC
Last Week: No. 1
2. Endicott College
4-1, 2-0 CCC
Last Week: No. 2
3. Western New England
4-1, 2-0 CCC
Last Week: No. 3
4. Western Connecticut
5-0, 3-0 MASCAC
Last Week: No. 4
5. Middlebury College
5-0, 5-0 NESCAC
Last Week: No. 5
6. Amherst College
4-1, 4-1 NESCAC
Last Week: No. 6
7. UMass Dartmouth
4-1, 2-1 MASCAC
Last Week: No. 9
8. Norwich University
4-2, 1-2 NEWMAC
Last Week: No. 7
9. Springfield College
3-3, 2-1 NEWMAC
Last Week: No. 11
10. Framingham State
3-2, 3-0 MASCAC
Last Week: No. 10
11. Williams College
4-1, 4-1 NESCAC
Last Week: No. 12
12. Coast Guard Academy
4-2, 1-2 NEWMAC
Last Week: No. 8
13. Trinity College
3-2, 3-2 NESCAC
Last Week: No. 13
14. Plymouth State
5-1, 3-1 MASCAC
Last Week: No. 14
15. MIT
3-2, 2-1 NEWMAC
Last Week: No. 15
16. Wesleyan University
5-0, 5-0 NESCAC
Last Week: No. 17
17. Nichols College
3-2, 1-1 CCC
Last Week: No. 16
18. Mass. Maritime Acad.
4-1, 2-1 MASCAC
Last Week: No. 18
19. Husson University
2-3, 2-0 CCC
Last Week: Not Ranked
20. Bridgewater State
3-3, 3-1 MASCAC
Last Week: Not Ranked
On the Rise: Anna Maria College, Dean College, Tufts University, and University of New England
The sixth week of the New England Division III football season is set to commence this evening when Bridgewater State visits Worcester State for an important conference clash. That game, along with nine other intriguing match-ups are highlighted below in a brand new edition of 10 Games to Watch.
Last week, I picked eight of ten contests correctly to bump my overall picks record to 32-18. Let’s see if I can keep my recent prediction momentum going this week – fingers crossed!
As usual, make sure to stay connected with @Noontime_FB for updates, news, scores, and more, and don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes to hear my weekly Sunday breakdown.
Have a great weekend, everyone!
New England D-III Football | Games to Watch (Week Six)
Bridgewater State at Worcester State (Friday, Oct. 11th at 7 p.m.): The Bears have bounced back after losing to Western Connecticut a few weeks ago. They need to win this game to keep their conference championship hopes alive. PREDICTION: Bridgewater State 30, Worcester State 21
Merchant Marine at No. 7 Norwich University (Saturday, Oct. 12th at 1 p.m.): The Mariners pulled out an important extra session win one week ago against MIT, while Norwich suffered its initial setback of the season to Springfield College. Merchant Marine may have the edge in this one – since losing in week one, the Mariners offense has been tough to stop and could provide challenges for the Cadets defense. PREDICTION: Merchant Marine 30, Norwich 22
No. 20 Curry College at Husson University (Saturday, Oct. 12th at 1 p.m.): Both teams enter this contest with identical 1-0 conference marks. It is an important game for both teams as they need a win to keep pace with Endicott College and Western New England. Something tells me the Eagles will make a few more plays down the stretch to secure their second conference win. PREDICTION: Husson 28, Curry 21
SUNY Maritime at Dean College (Saturday, Oct. 12th at 1 p.m.): On paper, this has the potential to be a shootout. Both teams have offenses that can put up points, but in the end, look for the Bulldogs defense to make few plays to secure an important conference win. PREDICTION: Dean 28, SUNY Maritime 24
No. 13 Trinity College at Bates College (Saturday, Oct. 12th at 1 p.m.): The Bantams will attempt to win back-to-back games for the first time this season against a Bobcats squad that provided Tufts University with some challenges last weekend. Look for some second-half adjustments to help Trinity score its third win of the season. PREDICTION: Trinity 30, Bates 18
Colby College at No. 5 Middlebury College (Saturday, Oct. 12th at 1 p.m.): This has the feel of a possible let-down game, but don’t expect the Panthers to lose their momentum from a week ago when they snuck past Amherst College in overtime. PREDICTION: Middlebury 28, Colby 14
Bowdoin College at No. 6 Amherst College (Saturday, Oct. 12th at 1 p.m.): The Polar Bears did not make things easy for the Cardinals of Wesleyan last week, so look for Bowdoin to provide similar challenges to Amherst. PREDICTION: Amherst 28, Bowdoin 14
No. 12 Springfield College at No. 8 Coast Guard Academy (Saturday, Oct. 12th at 1 p.m.): The Pride kept their conference title hopes alive last week with an important win against Norwich. Look for that momentum to continue this week against Coast Guard Academy. PREDICTION: Springfield 21, Coast Guard 15
No. 18 Mass. Maritime at No. 4 Western Connecticut (Saturday, Oct. 12th at 5 p.m.): The Buccaneers enter Saturday’s clash with a lot of momentum – their defense has been fun to watch these past few weeks, but this will be their toughest tests of the season. If the defense from one week ago shows up in Danbury, Connecticut then the Colonials offense could be in for a long day. PREDICTION: Mass. Maritime 38, Western Conn. 31
Tufts University at No. 17 Wesleyan University (Saturday, Oct. 12th at 6 p.m.): I love that this game is being played under the lights – it is a great tradition that these two squads started a few years ago. The Cardinals have been an impressive story thus far, thanks to its seniors, who will once again be counted on to lead Wesleyan to an important conference win. PREDICTION: Wesleyan 23, Tufts 17
Endicott College’s Kevin O’Brien has helped the Gulls defense limit opponents to just 17.2 points per game this season. (PHOTO COURTESY: Tammy McManaway)
By NoontimeSports.com | @NoontimeSports
Kevin O’Brien and the Endicott College defense have been a unit to watch this fall.
Through five contests, the Endicott defense has limited opponents to just 17.2 points per game, which is roughly five points less than what this unit yielded to opposing teams through five weeks last season.
O’Brien, who is in his third season with the Gulls, credits defensive coordinator Sean Golden for helping both he and his teammates be well-prepared for the opposing offenses they have and will face this season. Additionally, he credited his classmate Tim Russell – the two linebackers have complemented each other quite well this fall when it comes to rushing the passer to dropping back in coverage to defend the pass.
Noontime Sports caught up with the third-year linebacker to discuss the Gulls’ 2019 season thus far, but also what he did to prepare himself for a successful junior season with the Endicott defense.
Your team heads into the bye week with a 4-1 record. I know we chatted prior to the Framingham State game a few weeks ago, but did you (and your teammates) think you would be 4-1 heading into the sixth week of the season?
We knew we could be a very good team as we returned almost everyone (from last year’s squad). We were a few plays away from upsetting a very good Wesley College team (last month) but I think we have yet to play our best football which is exciting.
Through five weeks, the defense has yielded just 17.2 points per game. What has been the difference this season for the defense compared to last season (or your first season with the Gulls in 2017)?
One big difference is we have so many defensive linemen that can play good football for us. We have been regularly rotating the defensive linemen throughout the game and I think we probably have the best depth (at that position) in our conference.
Rotating and having fresh linemen is obviously good for a number of reasons and helps everyone else out.
Both last season and this season, your defense has defended the run pretty well. How have you (and the defense) been able to slow down opposing rushing attacks?
Anytime you prepare to slow down the run game or key in on a (certain) player (becomes) a group effort.
Coach Golden, who is our defensive coordinator, has been putting myself and the rest of the defense in good positions to stop the run and force teams to get into a third and medium or long situation. We then can dial something up (a play) that can get our unit off the field (and let the offense go back to work).
We face a ton of good running backs in the Commonwealth Coast Football (CCC) conference, including halfbacks from Curry College, Salve Regina University, and Western New England, so each week is a new and difficult challenge (for our unit).
With the bye week coming at the halfway mark of the season, what do you feel the defense must work on, both this week and next week heading into an important stretch, beginning with Curry College next Saturday, October 19th.
The defense has played well so far but we still have a lot to work to do.
In some games, we have let teams get into the red zone before we tighten up to get a stop. We have often lived by the motto “bend, but don’t break” when we are in the red zone.
I think we need to work on getting stops earlier and forcing teams to punt while tightening up our tackling to disguising our coverages to force turnovers.
Our offense is so explosive and has tons of options so we know the quicker we can get a stop on defense the quicker our offense can go get points (for us).
From a personal perspective, how do you feel your game has improved from last season to this season? Have you prepared differently for games this year than last year?
With another year of playing under my belt, I feel as if I’m stronger and more experienced than most players.
I’ve prepared myself a little bit differently this year (than my previous two seasons with the program). I play the “Mike” linebacker whereas last year I played “Buck,” which focuses on outside containment. Will Rivera was the “Mike” for our defense last season.
Playing “Mike” linebacker is a new challenge as I am usually always on the front side of coverage and the strongside of the run. And depending on a run or pass, I rely on calls and checks on the fly.
It is definitely a challenge but Tim Russell, who is our “Buck” linebacker has helped me out tremendously and has been playing excellent next to me.
With the fifth week of the 2019 New England Division III football season in the books, it is now to unveil our Zelos Athletics Team of the Week.
Similar to our ‘Players of the Week’ Zelos Athletics is also powering our teams of the week, too – these posts (and teams) can be seen every Tuesday throughout the 2019 season.
Offensive Team of the Week
Matt Dunn (Norwich University): Dunn completed 11 of 25 passes for 289 yards and two touchdowns against Springfield College.
Stephen Gacioch (UMass Dartmouth): Against Framingham State, Gacioch amassed 440 total yards of offense, including 343 passing yards and two touchdowns. The junior signal-caller also rushed for a game-high 97 yards on 20 carries and two scores.
Zach Levy (Curry College): Levy helped the Colonels score their first win of the 2019 season by rushing for a game-high 216 yards on 13 carries and three touchdowns last Saturday against the University of New England.
Seamus Lambert (Trinity College): Lambert connected on 15 of 23 passes for 245 yards and three touchdowns while adding 41 yards on 14 carries.
Matt Long (Mass. Maritime Academy): Long accounted for 232 yards of total offense, including a game-high 160 rushing yards on 25 carries and three touchdowns. He also completed 10 of 19 passes for 72 yards.
Joey Mauriello (Salve Regina): Mauriello rushed for a game-high 163 yards on 20 carries (8.2) and three touchdowns last Saturday against Endicott College.
Shea McManaway (Endicott College): McManaway led all receivers last Saturday against Salve Regina with 118 yards on nine catches and two touchdowns.
Jacob Maher (Framingham State): Maher hauled in five catches for 215 yards and three touchdowns last Saturday against UMass Dartmouth.
Alex Maldjian (Middlebury College): Maldjian rushed for a game-high 125 yards on 30 carries and two touchdowns against Amherst College.
Sean McAllen (WPI): McAllen rushed for 183 yards on nine carries and three touchdowns last Saturday against Maine Maritime Academy.
Aaron-Moses Williams (Worcester State): Williams completed 30 of 41 passes for 405 yards and two touchdowns last Saturday against Massachusetts Maritime Academy.
Nikolas Moquin (Maine Maritime Academy): Moquin completed 22 of 32 passes for 298 yards and three touchdowns while adding 19 yards on four carries against WPI.
Randy Morgan (Becker College): The first-year tailback rushed for a team-high 152 yards on 16 carries and one touchdown last Saturday against Husson University.
Brian Peters (Univ. of New England): The third-year signal-caller completed 33 of 49 passes for a game-high 444 yards and three touchdowns against Curry College.
Michael Pina (Nichols College): Pina completed 34 of 50 passes for a game-high 325 passing yards and two touchdowns against Western New England.
Garrett Poussard (Husson University): Against Becker College, Poussard rushed for a game-high 159 yards on 31 carries (5.1 yards) and two touchdowns.
Keithen Shepard (MIT): Shepard caught a game-high seven catches for 115 yards and two touchdowns last Saturday against Merchant Marine.
Jeremy Soule Jr. (Bridgewater State): Soule Jr. rushed for a game-high 195 yards on 21 carries and two touchdowns as the Bears defeated Westfield State last weekend.
Adam Wojenski (Framingham State): Wojenski completed 14 of 25 passes for 422 yards and five touchdowns last Saturday against UMass Dartmouth while adding 53 yards on 11 carries.
Defensive Team of the Week
Tyshawn Anderson (Anna Maria College): Anderson registered 14 total tackles, including seven solo stops and one sack for four yards, along with a forced fumble last Saturday against Apprentice.
Zack Catarius (Salve Regina): Catarius stuffed the stat sheet last Saturday against Endicott College with 12 total tackles, including three tackles for a loss of 22 yards and two sacks for a loss of 18 yards. Additionally, Catarius scooped one fumble.
Noah Clack (Bowdoin College): Against Wesleyan University, Clack tallied a team-high 10 total tackles, including seven solo stops and three tackles for a loss of seven yards.
Jack Fontana (Mass. Maritime Academy): Fontana paced the Buccaneers’ defense last Saturday with 14 total tackles, including nine solo stops. He also recorded one sack for a loss of three yards.
Kyle Johnston (Mass. Maritime Academy): Against Worcester State, Johnston tallied six total tackles, including four tackles for a loss of 19 yards and two forced fumbles.
Joe Kelly (Amherst College): Kelly paced the Mammoths’ defense with 11 total tackles, including 10 solo stops and three tackles for a loss of 10 yards. He also recorded five quarterback hurries and one forced fumble.
Colin McCabe (Mass. Maritime Academy): McCabe tallied eight total tackles, including four tackles for a loss of 30 yards and two fumble recoveries last Saturday against Worcester State.
Ricky Montalvo (Western New England): Against Nichols College, Montalvo tallied 11 total tackles, including three-and-a-half tackles for 15 yards and one-and-a-half sacks for 13 yards.
Philip Orlando (Coast Guard Academy): Orlando stuffed the stat sheet last Saturday against Catholic University with 13 total tackles, including two tackles for a loss of 11 yards and two forced fumbles.
Special Teams of the Week
Matt Alswanger (Tufts University): Alswanger connected on all five kicks, including one field goal for 21-yards against Bates College.
Michael Chen (Bowdoin College): Chen tallied seven points off two field goals and one extra point. His longest field goal was a 40-yarder.
J.P Dallazem (Trinity College): Against Hamilton College, the first-year kicker (and punter) tallied a career and season-high seven points off four extra points and a 31-yard field goal for seven points.
Nick DiCairano (Endicott College): DiCiarano tallied 12 points on six kicks, including a trio of field goals. The senior kicker booted a career and season-long 47-yard field goal.
Kieran Lombard (Western New England): Lombard connected on six kicks last Saturday against Nichols College, including three field goals with his longest kick being a 44-yard field goal.
Bryce Wade (WPI): Wade registered nine points off six extra points and a 38-yard field goal last Saturday against Maine Maritime Academy.
With the fifth week of the New England Division III Football season in the books, it is time to unveil our four players of the week post, which is powered by Zelos Athletics.
Our Noontime Sports ‘Players of the Week’ post is powered by Zelos Athletics, which uses FusionSport Technology to track athletes’ performance metrics during speed, agility, and plyometric drills.
Zelos Athletics also provides individual and team speed and agility training, combined with strength & conditioning training, too
This season, Noontime Sports will select one player for our three weekly honors: offensive, defensive and special teamer of the week.
The ‘Players of the Week’ post will be published every Monday throughout the season.
Framingham State quarterback Adam Wojenski tossed five touchdowns in the Rams’ 39-33 win over UMass Dartmouth last Saturday at Bowditch Field. (PHOTO COURTESY: Frank Poulin/Framingham State University Athletics)
Offensive Player of the Week: Adam Wojenski (Framingham State | Quarterback | Stratford, Conn.): Wojenski helped the Rams erase a 13-point deficit last Saturday en route to an exciting 39-33 win over UMass Dartmouth.
The Stratford, Connecticut native, who was named this week’s New England Football Writers Division II/III Golden Helmet, amassed 475 yards of total offense, including 422 passing yards on 14 of 25 completions and five touchdowns. His longest score – a 97-yard strike to classmate Jacob Maher – established a new program record. The touchdown also evened the score at 26-26 with 3:20 remaining in the third quarter.
Wojenski also rushed for a team-high 53 yards on 11 carries to bump his season rushing total to 191 yards.
The 422 passing yards and five touchdowns were season-bests for the fourth year signal-caller, who has completed 75 of 143 passes in four games for 1,068 yards and eight touchdowns.
Colin McCabe and the Massachusetts Maritime Academy defense combined for 14 tackles for a loss of 75 yards against Worcester State. (PHOTO COURTESY: Massachusetts Maritime Academy Athletics)
Defensive Player of the Week: Colin McCabe (Mass. Maritime Academy | Defensive Line | Dartmouth, Mass.): McCabe stuffed the stat sheet last Saturday against Worcester State by recording eight total tackles, including four tackles for a loss of 30 yards and three sacks for a loss of 25 yards.
Additionally, McCabe scooped two fumbles as the Buccaneers defense concluded their week five tilt with the Lancers by tallying 14 tackles for a loss of 75 yards, four forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries.
The third-year defensive lineman has recorded 25 total tackles this season, including 16 solo stops.
Endicott College’s Nick DiCairano tallied 12 points in the Gulls’ 30-24 win over Salve Regina University. (PHOTO COURTESY: David Le ’10/Endicott College Athletics)
Special Teamer of the Week: Nick DiCairano (Endicott College | Kicker | Trumbull, Conn.): Nick DiCairano recorded 12 points off six kicks last weekend as Endicott College captured its second-straight Commonwealth Coast Football (CCC) victory of the 2019 season.
DiCairano connected on all three extra points while booting a trio of field goals, including a career and season-long 47-yard kick.
Through five contests this season, DiCairano has tallied 41 points off 29 kicks, including six field goals.
