BRYANT NAMED 2007 ECAC DIVISION III

NORTHWEST ALL-STAR

Jan. 15: St. Lawrence University sophomore Gerard Bryant was recognized as a 2007 ECAC Division III Northwest All-Star for his outstanding season along the Saints' defensive line. The White Plains, NY native was one of 13 players from the Liberty League that received the honor.

 

Bryant improved on his numbers from his rookie season, leading the team with 13.0 tackles for a loss at the defensive tackle position. His 47.5 tackles finished only one shy of the team lead, while he also chipped in five sacks, one pass break-up and a fumble recovery. Earlier this post-season, Bryant was named to the Liberty League's First Team Defense.

 

For a complete listing of the 2007 ECAC Division III Northwest Football All-Stars, click here (pdf).

 

 

LaROSE LANDS ON D3FOOTBALL.COM'S

ALL-EAST REGION THIRD TEAM

 

 

SAINTS JOIN FORCES WITH COLTON-PIERREPOINT

IN “PENNY HARVEST” FINALE

Nov. 26: Seven members of the St. Lawrence University football program took part in a luncheon at Colton-Pierrepont Central in Colton, NY on November 15th.

 

The players who attended this event, accompanied by Coach Austin Weakfall, were Andrew Leiser, Christian Lopez, Michael Bruno, MeLean Beyor, James Powers, and Dave Cohen. The photo to the left is of Beyor and Cohen serving food at the luncheon.

 

This was no regular luncheon where athletes merely sit down and eat with the kids however. These players, along with their coach, actually served students and staff meals during lunch time.

 

Since Colton-Pierrepont is a small K-12 school, the athletes waited on, served, made tables, and cleaned for every student in the school. Not only was the day dedicated to showing thanks, but it was an end to Colton-Pierrepont’s “Penny Harvest,” which saw the school raised $750 in pennies to donate to a charity of their choice.

 

“I think that every single person involved today, both the students at Colton-Pierrepont and our players, were a part of something special,” said Saints assistant coach Austin Weakfall. “I think the players truly felt that they made a true contribution to the community and were appreciated by the children.”

 

In addition, the Saints football team also went to the second grade classroom where they spent some one-on-one time talking to students and discussing the value of education. To finish the visit, the second grade students and the athletes played a game of “Around the World” using mathematical flash cards. The second graders demonstrated their appreciation by making each player a “Thank You card.”

 

(photo provided by Colton-Pierrepont Central)

 

 

YOUNG, LaROSE, WELKLEY AND BRYANT EARN LIBERTY LEAGUE FIRST TEAM HONORS

Nov. 15: The Liberty League All-Conference teams were released on Wednesday, and thirteen Saints were honored for their play throughout the 2007 season. Senior tight end Brett Young and junior offensive lineman Tim LaRose were selected to the conference’s First Team Offense by the league’s coaches, while junior cornerback Andy Welkley and sophomore defensive tackle Gerard Bryant were named to the First Team Defense.

 

Young continued to be one of the team's best options in the passing game, as he caught 36 passes for 414 yards and two touchdowns in his senior season. The Wakefield , NH native finished second on the all-time reception list with 132 catches, and was named to the league’s First Team Offense for the third time in his career (2004, 2006).

 

LaRose was St. Lawrence's most experienced member of an offensive line that allowed only 16 sacks all season. He anchored a line that allowed both Brad Heil and Connor Hackett to have record-breaking seasons, starting in all nine games as a junior.

 

Welkley remained one of the Saints' most reliable defenders in 2007, as he was the team's fourth-leading tackler with 37.0 stops. The Tonawanda , NY native made one interception, broke up one pass and added a fumble recovery. Welkley, who was earned Liberty League Honorable Mention status last season, showed his versatility as he stepped into the linebacker position at times when his teammates were forced to sit due to injury.

 

Bryant improved on his numbers from a year ago, leading the team with 13.0 tackles for a loss along the defensive line. He made 47.5 tackles, only one shy of the team lead, five sacks, one pass break-up and a fumble recovery.

 

Meanwhile, senior wide receiver Mike O’Donnell and junior punter Matt Popov earned Second Team All-Conference honors. O'Donnell finished his St. Lawrence University career as the all-time leader in receptions and receiving yards. Despite often facing double-coverage, he managed to catch 42 balls for 660 yards and two touchdowns in 2007. Popov, who also served as the team’s kick-off and extra point specialist, helped tip the field position edge for the Saints in 2007, as the Syracuse , NY native averaged 36.5 yards on 46 punts for a total of 1,681 yards. Popov also posted a career-high 15 kicks inside of the opponent's 20 yard line.

 

St. Lawrence had eight players earn Liberty League Honorable Mention status for 2007, including four student athletes on offense, three on defense, and one special teams player. Junior fullback Carl Festa, sophomore running back Connor Hackett, senior quarterback Brad Heil and senior offensive lineman Chris Lutgens were Honorable Mention on offense, while senior defensive lineman Robert Bracho, senior linebacker Ben Buskey and junior cornerback Devaun McFarland were represented on the defensive side of the ball. Finally, O’Donnell earned Honorable Mention as a return specialist for the second consecutive season, as he retuned both kick-offs and punts for the Saints in 2007.

 

The Liberty League’s unanimous Offensive Player of the Year was Hobart ’s senior quarterback Andrew Strom, while his teammate cornerback James Alexander was named the conference’s Defensive Player of the Year. Hobart ’s kicker/punter Dominick Ancona was the league’s unanimous selection for Special Team’s Player of the Year, and Rochester ’s running back Clarence Onyiruika is the Liberty League Rookie of the Year. Finally, Rensselaer Head Coach Joe King and his staff were named the conference’s Coaching Staff of the Year.