For their performance in each game this past season, the following were selected as the Killinger Players of the Game:
New Haven - Sean McCartney - In the season opener against the defending Northeast-10 champions, quarterback McCartney (Jr., Archbishop Wood) was 20 of 26 for 290 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions for a quarterback rating of 208.7. He also had six rushes for 27 yards and two first downs including a 14-yard scramble on third and 11. It was West Chester's first season opening victory since 2009.
Gannon - Rondell White - White (Sr., West Chester Rustin) was a one-man wrecking crew. He carried the ball 32 times for 245 yards and two touchdowns. He also had seven catches for 87 yards and returned a kickoff for six yards. And for good measure, he tossed an 18-yard touchdown pass to Erick Brundidge. White scored on runs of 58 and 20 yards. His 245 yards rushing was the sixth best single game effort in West Chester history and his 338 all-purpose yards was the fifth best single game mark for the school. White was named ECAC Division II Offensive Player of the Week.
Millersville - Trey Farmer - In West Chester's 48-3 win in the drenching rain at Millersville, left guard Farmer (Sr., North Penn) anchored the offensive line that had a record breaking performance. The Golden Rams rushed 63 times for 456 yards which are both school records. The quarterbacks were a combined 9 of 15 for 168 yards and did not incur a sack. The team's 624 total offensive yards was the ninth best single game total in Golden Ram history. West Chester had two running backs eclipse 100 yards for the first time since 2004.
Kutztown - Al-Hajj Shabazz - Shabazz (Jr., John Bartram) only had three assisted tackles in West Chester's 22-21 win over Kutztown, but the Golden Rams would not have won without his two interceptions. West Chester trailed 21-10 with ten minutes left in the game and Kutztown had the ball at midfield when Shabazz came up with his first pick. Sean McCartney and the Golden Rams turned the possession into six points just five plays later. Then, late in the fourth quarter with the Golden Rams leading 22-21, Kutztown was in West Chester territory only needing a field goal for the win. But Shabazz made a great leaping interception with four seconds left to seal the narrow West Chester victory.
California - Ronell Williams - In West Chester's 38-31 win over the Vulcans, Williams (Jr, Chester) had a game-high ten tackles to lead the Golden Ram defense. He had six solo stops and four assists on the day. His key play was a ten-yard sack in the first quarter when California was looking to answer West Chester's opening touchdown drive. Williams was named ECAC Division II Defensive Player of the Week.
East Stroudsburg - Shannon Mayer - Mayer (R-Fr., Norristown) had a game-high seven catches and team-high 78 yards receiving in leading West Chester to a 34-20 victory over East Stroudsburg. Trailing 20-10 at halftime, his third quarter touchdown reception launched the Golden Ram second half comeback. Mayer also had two catches that resulted in first downs in West Chester's final touchdown drive in the fourth quarter. It was West Chester's first win on homecoming since 2008.
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Lock Haven - Rondell White - White (Sr., West Chester Rustin) put in another huge effort in West Chester's 34-13 win at Lock Haven. He had 33 carries for 196 yards and two touchdowns. White added four receptions for 86 yards and a kickoff return for 26 yards. All four of his catches resulted in first downs and went for 14, 29, 9 and 33 yards. His 307 all-purpose yards was the tenth best single game mark for the school.
Shippensburg - Shawn Leo - In West Chester's 32-29 win on Shippensburg's homecoming, Leo's (Sr., Souderton) six kickoffs resulted in three touchbacks and one fair catch while the other two were returned for a total of seven yards. He was 3 of 3 on PAT's and 1 of 3 on field goals. His two misses came from 53 yards with the wind and 42 yards into the stiff breeze. But in front of 7,500 onlookers, it was his successful 26-yard field goal with one second left that gave the Golden Rams the victory.
Cheyney - Andrew Derr - In his first collegiate start, Derr (R-Fr., Upper Dublin) was 13 of 23 for 293 yards and three touchdowns in leading the Golden Rams to a 66-14 victory. His touchdown passes were 67, 21 and 25 yards and all came before the fourth quarter. His performance resulted in a quarterback rating of 206.6 in the game.
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Bloomsburg - Mike Labor - Labor (Jr., St. Joseph's Prep) was one of the few bright spots in the Golden Rams' only setback of the regular season. He registered a team high 12 tackles in the game, including seven solo stops. One of his stops also resulted in a loss. One of his key tackles came late on third down in the first half, which forced a Bloomsburg field goal attempt which they missed.
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Clarion - Shawn Krautzel - In West Chester's 41-14 win over the Golden Eagles, a game in which everyone got to play, Krautzel (Sr., Interboro) had five total tackles including two solo stops. One of those solo stops was a ten-yard sack on third down which forced a Clarion punt. Krautzel also had an opportunity on offense, but a pass to him in the end zone was broken up.
American International - Sean McCartney - In West Chester's first playoff win since 2008, quarterback McCartney (Jr., Archbishop Wood) was 20 of 26 for 423 yards, 4 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. He also had one rush for nine yards. McCartney completed passes to eight different receivers and his touchdown connections went for 42, 31, 94 and 2 yards. The 423 passing yards was most ever for West Chester in a playoff game.
Bloomsburg - Tim Brown - Tight end Tim Brown (So., Upper Darby) posted career highs in receptions, yards and touchdowns in the Golden Rams' 40-38 win at Bloomsburg. He had a total of five catches for 112 yards on the day. Included in those totals were touchdown catches of 25 and 16 yards. Brown's other three catches all resulted in first downs for West Chester.
Shepherd - Brandon Pepper - In capturing the Super Region 1 championship, Pepper (So., Pennsbury) only had two solo tackles in the game. But late in the fourth quarter, he picked off a Shepherd pass and returned it 35 yards for a touchdown. Then on Shepherd's next offensive play, he intercepted another pass for the final change of possession of the contest to secure West Chester's second ever trip to the national semi-finals.
Lenoir-Rhyne - Chris DiValentino - In the muddy slop in North Carolina, DiValentino (Sr. Jenkintown) had a team high 12 tackles on the day. This included six solo stops as well as six assists. He also registered 1.5 tackles for loss, including a fourth down stop on Lenoir-Rhyne's first possession of the second half.
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The following players were selected by their teammates for their performance for the season:
Muz and Lew Peck Offensive Player of the Year - Sean McCartney - Quarterback Sean McCartney (Jr., Archbishop Wood) played at a consistently high level all season long. His year-end statistics were 242 of 384 for 3,569 yards, 34 touchdowns and 14 interceptions for a final quarterback rating of 163.0 which was good for tenth best in the country. And keep in mind, of the 14 games that McCartney played this season (he missed Cheyney due to an injury), four of those contests came against playoff opponents. How consistent was McCartney? His worst full regular season game quarterback rating was 142.3 against Kutztown, and that would have placed him #40 in the country, ahead of last year’s Harlon Hill winner Zach Zulli. And his final quarterback rating was better than two of this year’s Harlon Hill finalists.
McCartney’s 2013 passing yardage was the second best ever by a West Chester quarterback, only 44 yards behind Dave McDonald in 1994. His 34 touchdowns this season also places him second on the all-time single season Golden Ram list, also behind McDonald. His 423 passing yards against American International was the sixth best overall game and most passing yardage in a playoff game by a West Chester signal caller. McCartney also logged 87 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. For the Kutztown game, he was named ECAC Offensive Player of the Week and for the East Stroudsburg homecoming victory, he was named PSAC East Offensive Player of the Week and ECAC Offensive Player of the Week.
Golden Ram Football Club Treasurer Lew Peck presents Sean McCartney with the Offensive Player of the Year Award (Photo Mary Gilbert)Timothy's of West Chester and Len Frederick's Defensive Players of the Year - Mike Labor and Ronell Williams - Williams (Jr., Chester) shares this award for the second consecutive season. On the season, Williams was credited with 60 solo tackles and 50 assists for a total of 110 tackles. He also had 9.5 tackles for loss, three pass breakups and four quarterback hurries. He also had two memorable interceptions - one against East Stroudsburg and a week later at Lock Haven. Williams was named PSAC East Defensive Player of the Week and ECAC Defensive Player of the Week for his 15 tackle effort against Kutztown. He was also named first team All-PSAC East, first team Daktronics All-Super Region 1, first team Don Hansen Football Gazette All-Super Region One, honorable mention D2football.com All-American and ECAC Division II Defensive Player of the Year.
Labor (Jr., St. Joseph's Prep) was equally effective in the middle of the defense. Labor notched 52 solo stops and 53 assists for a total of 105 tackles despite not playing at Cheyney. Labor led the team with 13.5 tackles for loss and also logged a pass breakup, a quarterback hurry, and a forced fumble. In West Chester's homecoming win over East Stroudsburg, Labor had a team-high eight tackles, two sacks and an interception that led to the go ahead touchdown. For that game, he was named BSN Defensive Player of the Week and ECAC Defensive Player of the Week. Labor was also named second team All-PSAC East.
Golden Ram Football Club President Len Fredericks presents Mike Labor with the Defensive Player of the Year Award (Photo Mary Gilbert)
Bill Vansant Memorial Special Teams Award - Shawn Leo - Leo (Sr., Souderton) captures this award for the third consecutive time. This year, he set five school single season records – points after touchdown, field goals made, field goals attempted, kicking points, and PAT accuracy – and six school career records - points after touchdown, field goals made, field goals attempted, kicking points, PAT accuracy, and field goal accuracy – to become the most accomplished placekicker in Golden Ram history. He will likely be most remembered for his game winning 26-yard field goal into a stiff wind at Shippensburg. Leo was named second team All-PSAC East.
Jim Vansant presents Shawn Leo with the Special Teams Award (Photo Mary Gilbert)Kelly's Sports Unsung Hero - Jared Bonacquisti - Bonacquisti (Sr., Garnet Valley) is listed on the roster as a fullback, but played a lot of blocking tight end this season and was a linebacker in previous years. So although he only posted four carries for a touchdown and five catches for 21 yards and a touchdown this season, Bonacquisti’s contributions go beyond when he touched the ball. And they even go beyond the football field. He’s also remembered for donating bone marrow and being the hero for Sigitas Sleckus.
Offensive Scout Team in memory of Mark Killinger - Jarel Elder - Speedster Jarel Elder (Fr., Parkland) was a multiple threat in high school, capturing post season honors at running back, defensive back and on special teams. He rushed for over 1,000 yards as a junior and over 1,500 yards as a senior when his team advanced to the PIAA AAAA quarterfinals.
Defensive Scout Team from Dave Williams - John Dubyk - The versatile John Dubyk (Fr., Pennridge) received honors at both defensive end and tight end in high school. As a team captain in his senior year, he led Pennridge to the PIAA AAAA District I playoffs and was recipient of the Mini Maxwell Award.
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The following players were selected by the coaches for their efforts this season:
Mark and Julie Drochek Coaches' Award - Anthony McCloskey - Co-captain McCloskey (Sr., Cardinal O’Hara) came to West Chester as a fullback, transitioned to linebacker and then bulked up to play defensive tackle his final two years, clearly demonstrating that he was willing to do whatever he was asked to help the team. In his senior season, Spike logged 45 total tackles including 6.5 tackles for loss, a quarterback hurry and a blocked kick. All of those numbers were an improvement over his junior year when he received second team All-PSAC East honors.
Mark and Golden Ram Football Club Secretary Julie Drochek present Anthony McCloskey with the Coaches Award. (Photo Mary Gilbert)Ted Novak Memorial Coaches' Award - LaRonn Lee - Due to a lower leg injury, Lee (Sr., Penn Manor) saw limited action in his senior year. He missed the Kutztown game and then on just the third offensive play on homecoming, he reinjured the leg and totally missed the next three contests. Despite the setback, Lee finished the season with 14 catches for 323 yards and 4 touchdowns with half of those numbers coming in the first three playoff games. Against the vaunted Shepherd defense in the Super Regional final, Lee had three 31-yard catches including the go ahead touchdown early in the third quarter. In his four-year career, Lee logged 78 catches for 1,391 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Head Coach Bill Zwaan presents LaRonn Lee with the Ted Novak Memorial Coaching Staff Award. (Photo Mary Gilbert)------------------------------------------------------
Rondell White was named both the Golden Ram Football Club Player of the Year and WCU Football Athlete of the Year as chosen by the players. White (Sr. Rustin) captures these honors for the third consecutive season. His season and career accolades are well reported, but the one item that stands out the most is the fact that as the leading rusher and receiver on the team, he accounted for 41% of the Golden Ram offense this year with 1,989 yards rushing and 843 yards receiving. He set single season school records for rushing yards (1,989), rushing touchdowns (21), all-purpose yards (3,107), total touchdowns (24), and points (144).
White captured two PSAC East Offensive Player of the Week awards (New Haven and Shippensburg) and three ECAC Offensive Player of the Week awards (Gannon, Millersville and Shippensburg). He was named first team All-PSAC East, first team Daktronics All-Super Region 1, first team Don Hansen Football Gazette All-Super Region One, second team Daktronics All-American, first team Don Hansen Football Gazette All-American, first team BSN All-American, first team AP Little All-American, first team AFCA Coaches' All-American, first team D2football.com All-American, ECAC Division II Offensive Player of the Year, Philadelphia Sports Writers Association Amateur Athlete of the Year and Maxwell Football Club Tri-State Football Player of the Year.
Golden Ram Football Club President Len Fredericks presents Rondell White with Player of the Year Trophy. (Photo Mary Gilbert)West Chester Football Scholar Athlete of the Year - Rich Bruno - Bruno (Jr., Council Rock South) punted 54 times this season for the Golden Rams, averaging 39.5 yards per punt and pinning 15 punts inside the opponents 20-yard line. Opponents only returned 12 punts for a total of 50 yards and a long of 17 yards. The Exercise Science major carries a 3.87 grade-point average and is a member of the Dean's List and the West Chester Athletic Director's academic honor roll. Bruno was named to the Philadelphia Inquirer Academic All-Area Football Team as voted by the sports information directors of the 28 colleges and universities in the Philadelphia area. Additionally, he was identified as the 2013 Philadelphia Inquirer Academic All-Area Football Performer of the Year. Bruno was also named second team Daktronics Division II All-Super Region 1.
For their contribution and service to WCU football, Len Fredericks presented the Golden Ram Football Club President's Award to both Karen Massey and Bill Blystone.
Daily Local News - West Chester's historic season praised at packed banquet
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