Gallaudet's Pangia named 2009 ECAC Division III Northeast Region Rookie of the Year; Four ECFC Standouts Earn Mention
Gallaudet freshman linebacker Tom Pangia was named the 2009 Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III Northeast Region Rookie of the Year. Pangia is one of four players from the Eastern Collegiate Football Conference (ECFC) on the 2009 ECAC Division III Northeast Region All-Star team.
This is Pangia's second Rookie of the Year honor as he shared the ECFC's award and was named to the all-conference first team defense. The freshman linebacker was tied for the most tackles by a freshman in the ECFC with 66. He finished the year ranked ninth for tackles for loss (0.70 per game) for 15 yards. In the month of November he made four tackles and 1.5 tackles for a loss of three yards in a thrilling 16-13 victory over SUNY Maritime to give GU a 6-4 record for the season. The winning record against a varsity schedule is the first in program history since 1930. The game before Pangia made a team-high eight tackles against Anna Maria on Halloween as the Bison won 56-7. GU was rated as the top defense in the ECFC.
The three other players from the ECFC to make the ECAC Northeast Region All-Star include Mount Ida running back Johrone Bunch and Norwich defensive players Reza Afsarmanesh and Donovan Brown.
As the ECFC Offensive Player of the Year, Mount Ida's Bunch currently leads the nation in rushing with 1,613 yards and 14 touchdowns for an average of 150.6 yards a game. Bunch broke the single season rushing record (1,613) 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 eight out of 11 games this season and has gone over the century mark every game but one in ECFC action. 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.
Norwich seniors Reza Afsarmanesh and Donovan Brown, who were also named to the New England Football Writers' all-star team, were both selected to this squad after helping the NU defense dominate its opposition in 2008.
Afsarmanesh, who was named the ECFC "Defensive Player of the Year" and was a first team all-league selection, led the Cadets in sacks (7.0) and tackles-for-loss (16.5) this season. The physical defensive end also ranked second on the squad with 68 tackles.
Brown, who started all 11 games at safety for the Cadets this season, was a first team all-league selection as well after leading the squad with six interceptions and listing second on the club with seven pass break-ups. The co-captain also ranked third on the team with 57 tackles.
