Five Worcester State Football Players Named to 25th Annual Steve “Merc” Morris All-Star Team
WORCESTER, Mass. – Five Worcester State University football players were named to the 25th Annual Steve “Merc” Morris All-Star Team as selected by the eight sports information directors of Worcester County who sponsor football.
WORCESTER, Mass. – Five Worcester State University football players were named to the 25th Annual Steve "Merc" Morris All-Star Team as selected by the eight sports information directors of Worcester County who sponsor football.
Worcester State's running back Kemani Jones (Milton, Mass.) and linebacker Shane Gleim (N. Grosvenordale, Conn.) made the first-team, while offensive lineman Chris Walles (Feeding Hills, Mass.), return specialist Terrence Gibson (Rockland, Mass.), and defensive back Brian Gencarelli (Niantic, Conn.) rounded up with the second-team for the Lancers.
This season, Jones was named to the second team All-Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) as he played in all 10 games for the Lancers. During the 2015 season, Jones rushed for a total of 1,101 yards, breaking the all-time school record for a career rushing total of 3,095 yards. Also this season, Jones met the all-time rushing touchdowns at Worcester State in a single game with four in the 53-27 win over Westfield State. This season, Jones averaged 110.1 rushing yards per game, and averaged five receptions for 39.5 yards per game. He tallied up 13 rushing touchdowns and two receiving touchdowns, giving the Lancers a total of 92 points on the season.
Gleim led the Lancers on the defensive end for the 2015 season. Gleim racked up a team-high 109 tackles (68 solo) in 10 games played – sitting at the top of the MASCAC in tackles per game at 10.9. Gleim logged six TFL for a total yardage of 16. He recorded 1.5 sacks, along with one interception, a pair of fumble recoveries, and a duo of breakups on the season.
Walles remained a strong point on Worcester State's offensive line throughout the entirety of the season, playing in all 10 games for the Lancers.
Gibson earned first-team All-Conference as he played in nine games for the Lancers. Gibson finished his year out with a total of 749 yards on 27 kick returns. He sat at the top of the conference in kick returns, averaging 27.7 yards per return. Gibson's highlight of the season was his 97-yard kick return for a touchdown against Salve Regina on Sep. 5.
Gencarelli came in third for the team in tackles with 47 (29 solo). Gencarelli had four TFL for a total yardage of 26. He registered one sack for seven yard, one interception, and seven breakups on the season.
The Steve "Merc" Morris major award winners included junior wide receiver Brendan Flaherty (Beverly, Mass.) of Holy Cross as the Offensive Player of the Year while junior defensive back Jarrod Casey (Milford, Mass.) of Assumption was tabbed the Defensive Player of the Year.
Sophomore placekicker Cole Tracy (Camarillo, Calif.) of Assumption earned Special Teams Player of the Year and freshman teammate Deonte Harris (Baltimore, M.D.) was named Freshman of the Year. Bob Chesney of Assumption and Mike Litchen of Becker shared Coach of the Year honors.
The Worcester Area Football Association All-Star Team is named in the memory of Steve "Merc" Morris, the longtime Assistant Director of Athletics for Media Relations and Assumption Hall of Famer. "Merc" was a 1972 graduate of Assumption and was a member of the athletics staff for 39 years before passing away in January of 2011. In addition to being the founder of the Worcester Area Association All-Star program, he was a tireless supporter of collegiate athletics in the Worcester area and had a key role in the lives of thousands of student-athletes.
Full List of 2015 Steve "Merc" Morris All-Star Team
Worcester Area Team Selection Notes
Since 1992, Flaherty is the third wide receiver named Offensive Player of the Year and he is the sixth Holy Cross student-athlete...Casey is the eighth Assumption player in the last nine years to earn a Defensive Player of the Year award and 15th overall...Since the WAFA started selecting the Special Teams Player of the Year in 2011, Tracey becomes the second Assumption student-athlete and second placekicker...Harris is the 16th Assumption player tabbed Rookie of the Year, but he is only the second wide receiver chosen...Bob Chesney earns his second-straight nod as the Coach of the Year and Litchen takes home the honor for the first time in his career.
Portions of this Release Courtesy of Steven Miller Jr.