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MOUNT IDA CLEANS UP IN ECFC ALL-CONFERENCE AWARDS
The Eastern Collegiate Football Conference (ECFC) All-Conference Teams were announced today with the Mount Ida College football program cleaning up in all categories, capturing two "of-the-year" awards out of four awarded in the inaugural season of the ECFC.
Sophomore running back Johrone Bunch (Meriden, CT/F.T. Maloney) was presented as ECFC Offensive Player-of-the-Year good for a spot on the ECFC first team all-conference. Bunch currently leads the nation in rushing with 1,506 yards and 13 touchdowns for an average of 150.6 yards a game. Bunch broke the single season rushing record (1,506) needing 132 yards against visiting Husson University on Halloween exceeding it with 167. He also broke the single season rushing touchdown record scoring two against the Eagles giving him 13 on the season. Bunch surpassed 100 yards rushing in seven out of 10 games this season and has gone over the century mark every game but one (SUNY Maritime, 68) in ECFC action. Bunch ran for 217 against Becker College and 351 yards and five touchdowns against Castleton State College in back-to-back conference games in week five and again in week six. 351 yards against the Spartans was the second highest rushing total in Mount Ida College football program history and the highest total in all of NCAA division III this year. Bunch, who also does the punting for the Mustangs, was awarded defensive first team all-ECFC honors as a punter. Bunch led the conference in punting with 1,623 total yards averaging 36.9 and a long of 72 yards.
Senior wide receiver and kick return specialist Kyle Watkins (New Haven, CT/James Hillhouse) captured Special Teams Player-of-the-Year along with ECFC first team all-conference honors as a wide receiver and a kick returner. The senior is currently in the top 10 in kick returners nationally. This season Watkins returned two kickoffs for touchdowns including an 85 yarder in a pivotal win versus Husson University. Watkins holds the school records for punt return yards (447), punt returns (45), and kick return TD's. Waktins tallied five receiving touchdowns and two kick return TD's paired with 539 yards through the air. Watkins broke the career touchdowns record (34) with a TD catch against visiting Springfield College back on October 17. Watkins has been a big game player with the potential to take over in the spotlight throughout his tenure as a Mustang.
Sophomore tight end Nick Lynch (Hampton Bays, NY/Hampton Bays) was selected to the offensive first team all-ECFC for his first award as a Mustang. Lynch had his best season yet in a Mount Ida uniform with the second highest receiving totals on the team behind Watkins. Lynch caught 23 passes good for 420 yards in the air with three touchdowns for an average of 18.3 yards a catch. Lynch landed fifth in the conference for receiving yards per game (42.0) and ninth in the ECFC for receptions a game (2.3).
Mount Ida senior offensive lineman Michael Horn (Riverhead, NY/Riverhead) was also recognized capturing an offensive first team all-ECFC honor for his first award as a Mustang. Horn was outstanding all season for the Mustangs and was described by his coaches as like having another coach on the field. Horn played every position on the offensive line for the Mustangs helping freshman quarterback Scott Drosendahl (East Aurora, NY/East Aurora) complete 57-134 passes with only seven interceptions and 10 touchdown passes with an efficiency rating of 107.93. Horn and the Mount Ida offensive line only allowed 10 sacks all season.
Mount Ida freshman defensive lineman Eli Shuler (Northford, CT/North Branford), in his first year as a Mustang, was honored to the defensive first team all-conference. Shuler was solid all year for Mount Ida with 30 solo tackles, 11 tackle assists, 35.5 total tackles, 2.5 sacks, and one fumble recovery.
Mount Ida junior safety Julien Baptiste (Greenlawn, NY/Elwood-John Glenn) was also awarded defensive first team all-conference honors for his first award of the season. Baptiste was second on the team in tackles with 42 solo tackles, 12 tackle assists, 48 total tackles, four interceptions, and three fumble recoveries. Baptiste was first on the team in interceptions and also had two pass breakups and one forced fumble.
Mount Ida senior linebacker David Green (Homewood, AL/Homewood) was awarded with defensive second team all-ECFC honors. Bama's, who is also described as like having another coach on the field, had one of his best season's as a Mustang in the linebacker position. Green, who was fourth overall on the team in tackles, notched 33 solo tackles, 15 tackle assists, 40.5 total tackles, .5 sack, five quarterback hurries, and one fumble recovery. Bama's 6.5 tackles for a loss of 19 yards was the highest total on the team.
Mount Ida junior safety Shane Gardner (Sunrise, FL/Northeast) was also awarded with defensive second team all-ECFC honors. Gardner was third overall on the team in tackles with 41 solo tackles, 11 tackle assists, 46.5 total tackles, 6.0 tackles for a loss, one pick, a forced fumble, and four pass breakups.
The Mount Ida College football program is headed to Norwich University for Saturday's ECFC Championship game starting at 12:30 p.m. Click here for more details.
ECFC CONFERENCE STATISTICS HERE
COACH LANDERS FEATURED IN THE BROCKTON ENTERPRISE
MOUNT IDA FOOTBALL FEATURED IN THE BOSTON HERALD
