Football Takes Home 5 Of The 7 Major Awards In ECFC All Conference Announcement
KILLINGWORTH, Conn. – The Eastern Collegiate Football Conference (ECFC) announced their all-conference teams and major award winners for the 2023 season as voted on by the league's head coaches. Student-athletes from all member institutions earned recognition. The Anna Maria College football program took home five of the seven major awards for the 2023 season. Sixteen of Anna Maria's student-athletes earned First and Second Team All-Conference honors.
Offensive Player of the Year: Anna Maria Quarterback Ryan Russell (West Springfield, Mass.) was selected as the Offensive Player of the Year after a stellar junior season with the AMCATs. Russell led the league in several categories, including yards thrown (2,884), yards per game (320.4) and touchdowns (27). He finished second in completion percentage (54.5%). The junior QB also added 243 yards with four rushing touchdowns. Russell threw for over 300 yards in six games this season, including two games for over 400 yards. His season was highlighted by a 539 yard and six touchdown performance against Husson. Russell finished 4th overall in the nation for average passing yards per game (327.75) and 8th in the nation in total offense per game (511.9 avg).
Offensive Lineman of the Year: Anna Maria's Max Cyr (Middletown, Ct.) was honored as the ECFC Offensive Lineman of the Year after his impressive senior campaign. Cyr is a three-year starter for the AMCATs and has given up only one sack in three years. He anchored a line for an offense that compiled 4,593 total offense yards, leading the ECFC in that category and ranking No. 8 in the nation in total offense per game (511.9 avg).
Special Teams Player of the Year: The AMCATs senior kicker Ryan Kent (Irvington, N.J.) was honored as the Special Teams Player of the Year. He ranked 1st in the ECFC for field goals made (6) and total points (57). He also ranked 1st in extra-point percentage (95%) in his nine games of the season. In conference play, Kent was a perfect 20/20 on extra-point attempts. Kent also took on punting duties, punting 10 times on the season for 373 yards and a 37.3 average. Half of his punts forced opponents inside their own 20-yard line.
Coach of the Year: Anna Maria Head Coach, Steve Croce, was recognized by his peers as the ECFC Coach of the Year. Croce led the AMCATs to a 3-1 record in conference play and 5-4 overall record. The AMCATs finished their 2023 regular season campaign tied for 1st place in the ECFC. Croce led an Anna Maria squad that finished 8th nationally in total offense (511.9 avg) and 5th in passing yards per game (341.1 avg). The AMCATs were selected to represent the ECFC in the New England Bowl this year, taking on Salve Regina University on Saturday, November 18th.
Assistant Coach of the Year: Tanner Kingsley was selected as the 2023 ECFC Assistant Coach of the Year. Kingsley is in his 4th season coaching with the AMCATS football program. In just his second season as the Offensive Coordinator, Kingsley steered a squad that led the league in total offense, passing yards, and yards per game. Anna Maria finished 8th nationally in total offense (511.9 avg) and 5th in passing yards per game (341.1 avg).
ECFC all-conference selections are determined by a vote of the conference coaches.
First Team Offense:
Second Team Offense:
First Team Defense:
Second Team Defense:
Honorable Mention:
