Seven AMCATS selected as WAFA All-Stars

PAXTON, Mass. – The Anna Maria College football team had seven players selected to the 2010 Worcester Area Football Association (WAFA) All-Star Team. Wide receiver Domenique Concepcion (Middlebury, Conn.) earned First Team honors, while Robert Small (Tarrytown, N.Y.), Dylan Bedard (Fall River, Mass.), Juan Juan (Salem, Mass.), Jordan Koehler (West Warwick, R.I.), Nii Quartey (Worcester, Mass.), and Tony Valente (Lawrence, Mass.) each were named to the Second Team.

Concepcion was Anna Maria's top offensive threat this year, setting program records for receptions (53), receiving yards (523), and touchdown grabs (4). The sophomore wide out had several huge games for the AMCATS, including a 10-catch performance versus Worcester State in the season opener, and a record-setting day versus Husson in which he reeled-in 11 passes for 154 yards and a touchdown. Concepcion finished the year with the third most catches in the ECFC, while also ranking among the top 10 in the conference in receiving yards per game, total receiving yards, and touchdown catches.

Freshman tailback Robert Small averaged a program-record 5.8 yards per carry this season, totaling 567 yards and four touchdowns on the ground. His performance versus Castleton State was one of the best in program history as he set the AMC single game marks for rushing yards (256), all-purpose yards (307), and yards per carry (10.7). In addition, he recorded the program's two longest plays from scrimmage on touchdown runs of 74 and 80 yards. As a result, Small was selected as the ECFC Rookie of the Week on October 18th.

Freshman Dylan Bedard was one of the anchors of the Anna Maria offensive line. He helped protect quarterback Santino Simone while also paving the way for team's ground game, which included a program record performance of 396 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns versus Castleton State.

Defensive end Juan Juan compiled 35 tackles for Anna Maria during his freshman season and led the ECFC with four fumble recoveries. He recorded a personal-best 11 tackles versus Husson and really came on during the end of the season, compiling 26 of his 35 tackles in the final five games while also recovering four fumbles.

Freshman linebacker Jordan Koehler led the AMCATS in tackles this season, recording 61 total stops. Koehler was another young AMCAT who improved as the season progressed, averaging 9.8 tackles per contest over the final five games of the season, including a 13-tackle performance versus Castleton State.

Junior linebacker Nii Quartey had a team-high 10 tackles for a loss this season, finishing tied for the team lead in solo tackles (37) and ranking third on the team with 59 total stops. Having a great nose for the ball, Qaurtey forced three fumbles, recovered two fumbles, and intercepted a pass which he returned 73 yards for a touchdown in the season finale.

Freshmen Tony Valente can be added to the long list of young players who had impressive rookie campaigns for the AMCATS this season. Valente made 43 tackles for AMC this year, ranking among the top five on the team. His best performance came versus Norwich when the young corner made a personal-best 13 tackles.

Courtesy of Anna Maria Athletics