Five from NESCAC Named to NEFW All-Star Squad

Courtesy New England Football Writers Association

HADLEY, Mass. – Five players from three different NESCAC squads have been chosen for the 2011 New England Football Writers Division II/II All-New England Team. Among the five individuals was Trinity senior linebacker Walter Fallas, the lone repeat honoree.

Fallas not only came away as NESCAC Defensive Player of the Year for the second year in a row, he also joined a select few in league history by being honored on the All-NESCAC First Team for the third consecutive fall. The senior captained the best defense in the NESCAC with 55 tackles (23 solo) in seven appearances as he led the Bantams in total stops for the third time in as many years, posting an average of 7.9 per game (12th NESCAC). Fallas also recorded 7.0 tackles for a loss of 35 yards and was in on 4.5 sacks for a total loss of 30 yards.

Two representatives from NESCAC champion Amherst were on the All-New England squad. The Lord Jeffs' Kevin Ferber claimed All-NESCAC First Team for the second year in a row following a senior season in which he made 54 tackles (31 solo) with 15.0 going for a loss of 79 yards, a figure that topped the NESCAC. He set the program record for sacks in a single season with 11, four coming in the Nov. 12 win over Williams, and also forced two fumbles, recovered two, and intercepted a pass. The senior lineman was also chosen to the CoSIDA Academic All-District team this fall.

On the other side of the ball from Amherst was junior John Ceccio. Ceccio, who was chosen to the All-Conference First Team for the second-straight year, contributed to an offense that was second in the conference in rushing with 189.5 yards per game and a league-low six sacks allowed.

At tight end on the All-New England Team was Middlebury junior Billy Chapman. One of Panther quarterback McCallum Foote's favorite targets this year, Chapman tied for the team lead in receptions with 57 and had a team-best 635 yards. On three separate occasions this fall the All-NESCAC First Team selection caught 10-or-more passes in a game.

Rounding out the All-New England honorees was Williams senior defensive back Dan O'Mara. O'Mara finished tied atop the league in interceptions with five picks that he returned 135 yards. He also ended the year second for the Ephs in stops with 53 and forced and recovered a fumble, as he earned All-NESCAC First Team recognition for the second time.

The 2011 selections will be honored at the New England Football Writers banquet on Thursday, Dec. 8, at the Montvale Plaza in Stoneham, Mass.