Springfield, Mass. - November 22, 2024 - After putting together an undefeated regular season, 18 members of the Springfield College football team were named to the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) Football All-Conference teams.

The Pride earned four major NEWMAC awards this season – tying the most selections the program has had since the conference's inaugural season in 2017 –  with senior linebacker Billy Carr (Southington, Conn.) named Defensive Athlete of the Year, graduate fullback Arsen Shtefan (West Hartford, Conn.) chosen as the NEWMAC Offensive Athlete of the Year, freshman defensive lineman Aaziah Scott (Savannah, Ga.) tabbed the NEWMAC Rookie of the Year and graduate returnman Joe Maurer (Wilbraham, Mass.) selected as the NEWMAC Special Teams Athlete of the Year. It is the first time in program history that Springfield had four student-athletes garner major end of the year awards from the NEWMAC. 

Along with Carr, Shtefan, Scott and Maurer, who was named as both a defensive back and return specialist, junior offensive lineman Craig Connell (Goshen, N.Y.), senior offensive lineman Kevin Lind (Hazlet, N.J.), senior halfback Blane Hart (East Lyme, Conn.), senior halfback Dante Vasquez (Rockland, Mass.), senior linebacker Will McKay (Tewksbury, Mass.), freshman kicker Ian Wernik (Plymouth, Mass.) and quarterback Jacob Silvester (Lancaster, Mass.) garnered NEWMAC All-Conference First Team honors.

Earning second team recognition for the Pride included senior offensive lineman Grady Roadman (Shrewsbury, Mass.), graduate fullback Joseph Cannizzaro (Lincoln Park, N.J.), junior defensive back Tyler Paladino (Cross River, N.Y.), senior defensive back Colby Richardson (East Hartford, Conn.), senior defensive lineman Cameron Hart (East Lyme, Conn.) and sophomore defensive lineman JT Kinsey (Savannah, Ga.).  

In his fourth season with the Pride, Carr was the backbone of the Springfield defense as he was named the top defensive player in the conference. The Health Science major ranked first on the team in total tackles with 69, unassisted tackles with 41 and tackles-for-loss with 7.5, all marks that are among the top-seven in the conference. He is the sixth player in program history to be named the conference defensive player of the year. 

Shtefan picked right up where he left off last season, becoming the first student-athlete to win two offensive athlete of the year honors since the NEWMAC's inaugural season in 2017. The Business Administration major is ranked sixth in the nation in rushing touchdowns (17), seventh in the nation in total rushing yards (1,286) and is eighth in rush yards per game (128.6). He has seven games with at least two scores, including in the past three games and in five of the last six, and has become the second fullback in program history to eclipse 1,000+ yards in consecutive seasons. His back-to-back offensive player of the year honors land him as the sixth student-athlete to receive the honor in program history. 

Scott made an immediate impact to the defensive line in his first season for the Pride, as the rookie made 41 tackles, 3.5 for loss, and intercepted a pass – the first defensive lineman to register a pick in their first season since in 2012. The Computer Science major is just the third student-athlete in program history to be named a conference rookie of the year, and his 41 tackles is the most in Division III program history for a defensive lineman and the most overall for a first-year since 2016. 

Maurer was a constant threat in the kick return game, ranking top-ten nationally in combined return yards. The Sport Management major is the first return specialist to win the special teams athlete of the year award for Springfield since 2017, and the first student-athlete to win the award since kicker Christian Hutra did so in 2022 and 2021. Maurer's season was highlighted by a 95-yard kick return touchdown against Western New England.

Connell, Lind and Roadman all had impressive seasons up front for Springfield, leading an offensive line that produced the best rushing offense in all of college football and the second-best third down conversion rate in the nation at 64.9 percent. Thanks to their efforts, Springfield had its most rushing yards in a season since 2017, eclipsing the 4,500 yard mark and is 12th in the nation in total offense, producing just over 496 yards of offense a game. 

The backfield consisting of Blane Hart, Vasquez and Cannizzaro all had productive seasons behind the line for the Pride. Hart, an Environmental Science major, has rushed for 655 yards and 13 touchdowns, while Vasquez, an Applied Exercise Science major started in all 10 games for Springfield added 604 yards and five touchdowns. Cannizzaro, a Business Administration major, chipped in 577 yards and six scores including not having a single rush-for-loss. 

The secondary that consisted of Maurer, Richardson and Paladino played a key role in Springfield putting together another undefeated season in conference play. Richardson's 44 tackles ranked fourth on the team, and the tandem of Maurer and Paladino each picked off opposing quarterbacks three times – tied for the team's best. 

Silvester had a fantastic senior season, starting all 10 games under center for the Pride.  The Physical Education major has rushed for 527 yards and 9 touchdowns, to go along with 342 passing yards and seven touchdowns in the air.  Under his leadership, Springfield is averaging 48.6 points per game, which is tenth best nationally.

McKay, an Applied Exercise Science major accumulated 39 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and three sacks, ranking in the top six in all categories on the team.  Cameron Hart and Kinsey led an impressive defensive line corps. Hart, a Business Management major, had 49 tackles which ranked third on the team, and was first in total sacks (3.5) and quarterback hurries (5). Kinsey, a Sport Management major, picked up 37 tackles to go along with 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble for a Springfield defense that ranks top-30 in yards allowed per game.

Wernik had a solid first season in the maroon and white, as the rookie kicker made five of his six field goal attempts on the season, and drilled 94 percent of his PAT's, connecting on 63 of his 67 attempts. 

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