SOMERSET, N.J. – The Merrimack College football team earned eight Northeast Conference (NEC) All-Conference bids as announced in New Jersey on Wednesday afternoon.
Three Warriors earned placement on the First Team All-NEC list, including junior offensive lineman
Antonio Derry, graduate student linebacker
Rodney Samson, and sophomore defensive back
Garry Rosemond Jr. Five Warriors were also named to the Second Team All-NEC list, including redshirt freshman
Victor Dawson, junior tight end
Pat Conroy, senior defensive linemen
James Nyamwaya, sophomore defensive linemen
Brandon Roberts, and sophomore punter
Cole Peterson.
The Warriors were picked to place fifth in the NEC preseason poll, but ended up coming in second, ending the season with a conference championship game appearance. Merrimack finished the season with eight wins, which is tied for the most in program history.
All-NEC First Team: Antonio Derry
Derry, a junior offensive lineman from Baltimore, Maryland, was fantastic this season helping the team in block for the running and passing game which excelled for the Warriors. He helped
Victor Dawson rush for 744 yards and 10 touchdowns. In the pass game, Derry was able to help block for
Gavin McCusker and
Jack Zergiotis who threw for over 1700 yards combined.
All-NEC First Team: Rodney Samson
Samson, a graduate student linebacker from Peekskill, New York, played an impressive role on the defense this season. His season-high in tackles was 16 against Long Island University. He finished the season with 80 tackles, one forced and recovered fumble and 8.0 tackles for loss. His 80 tackles ranked him second in the NEC. Samson was also named one of three captains at the start of the season.
All-NEC First Team: Garry Rosemond Jr.
Rosemond Jr, a sophomore defensive back from Washington, D.C, proved to have a stellar performance on the defense this season for the Warriors. Earning two straight NEC weekly honors this season, he finishes up the season with 30 tackles, four interceptions and one kick return touchdown in the game against Assumption College. His four interceptions ranked him second in the conference.
All-NEC Second Team: Victor Dawson
Dawson, a redshirt freshman running back from Akron, Ohio, had a stellar performance in the running game this season. He finished the season with 744 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns. His best game was against Wagner where he scored 4 touchdowns and rushed 128 yards, which earned him one of two NEC Offensive Player of the Week honors.
All-NEC Second Team: Pat Conroy
Conroy, a junior tight end from Reading, Massachusetts, finished the season with 233 receiving yards and six touchdowns. His season high in reception yards was 58 against Saint Francis in the NEC Championship game. Earlier in the year, Conroy had three touchdowns in one game against Central Connecticut State University. Quarterback
Gavin McCusker found the tight end four times in the last two games of the season.
All-NEC Second Team: James Nyamwaya
Nyamwaya, a senior defensive lineman from Andover, Massachusetts was integral to the Warriors success this season on the defensive line. Playing in ten games this season, he finished his season with 27 tackles, 5.5 sacks, and 6.5 in tackles for loss. His five and a half sacks were good enough for a tie for fourth in the NEC.
All-NEC Second Team: Brandon Roberts
Roberts, a sophomore defensive lineman from Hagerstown, Maryland, was a big part of the defensive line success this season for the Warriors. Playing in all eleven games this season, finishing up the season with 42 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and 10.5 tackles for loss. His 10.5 tackles for a loss ranked him sixth overall in the conference.
All-NEC Second Team: Cole Peterson
Peterson, a sophomore punter from Bristol, Rhode Island, had a stellar performance on special teams this season. He kicked for over 2,880 yards on 73 attempts with his longest punt being 63 yards against Stonehill. Peterson led the conference in punt average with 39.6 yards per punt. He also led the conference with 10 punts that were over 50+ yards.
