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Nine Gridironers Named to NEFC All-Bogan Division Team
2011 New England Football Conference All-Division Teams
BRIDGEWATER, Mass. - - Nine members of the Bridgewater State University football team have been voted to the 2011 New England Football Conference (NEFC) All-Bogan Division Team by the league's coaches.
Earning first team honors are senior safety Kevin Laudano, junior defensive tackle Paul Melicharek and junior offensive guard Kurt Merrick.
Second team selections for the Bears include junior offensive tackle Mike D'Attilio, senior running back Justin Fuller, junior safety Eddie Jewel, junior linebackers Justin Cruz and Alex Monteiro, and sophomore defensive end Tate Doehler.
Laudano notched 37 tackles (29 solo) this year to go along with a pair of interceptions, one of which he returned 40 yards for a touchdown in Bridgewater's 27-0 victory at UMass Dartmouth. In 33 games over four seasons with the Bears, the Wallingford, Connecticut product has recorded 107 tackles (88 solo), three interceptions, nine pass breakups and two forced fumbles.
Melicharek currently has 42 tackles (30 solo) on the year including 9.5 tackles for loss and one sack. In 29 games over his first three seasons, the Mashpee, Massachusetts native has amassed 115 tackles (97 solo), 26 tackles for loss, four sacks and three forced fumbles.
Merrick and D'Attilio, who hail from Mashpee and North Attleboro, Massachusetts respectively, anchor an offensive line which has paved the way for 1,925 rushing yards and 3,263 yards of total offense in 2011, and has allowed just nine sacks. Bridgewater is currently tied for the NEFC lead in sacks against and ranks third in rushing and fourth in total offense. The Bears are also fourth in the conference in third down conversion percentage (41%), fifth in both pass efficiency rating (120.4) and first downs (183) and sixth in scoring 26.6 ppg).
Fuller has carried the ball 126 times for 570 yards and eighth touchdown this season. In 21 career games, the Berkley, Massachusetts native has rushed for 2,261 yards and 31 touchdowns. He ranks sixth all-time at Bridgewater State in rushing and eighth in scoring (192 points).
A native of Amherst, Massachusetts, Jewel made an immediate impact in his first season with the Bears, producing 30 tackles (18 solo), three interceptions and a recovered fumble. The fumble recovery occurred in Bridgewater's 34-16 win over Coast Guard as he returned it 67 yards for a touchdown.
Cruz completed the regular season with 33 tackles (19 solo) including 5.5 for loss as well as a pair of sacks, five pass breakups, two recovered fumbles and one forced. The Dartmouth, Massachusetts product has 71 tackles (48 solo) to his credit over the past two seasons.
Monteiro leads the team with 57 tackles (41) with five going for loss. The Portsmouth, Rhode Island resident has also added four breakups and a forced fumble.
Doehler, who hails from Lakeville, Massachusetts, has amassed 38 tackles through nine games with a team-best 11.5 tackles for loss. He also has four sacks, three pass breakups, two recovered fumbles and one forced. In 15 games over two seasons, Doehler has accumulated 60 tackles (55 solo) with 18 going for loss.
The Bridgewater State football team wrapped up regular season play with an overall record of 7-2 and finished tied for second in the NEFC Bogan Division standings with a 5-2 divisional mark. The Bears, who have won each of their last five games, are awaiting word on a potential ECAC Bowl selection.
Melicharek is making his second straight appearance on the All-Bogan Division First Team, while Fuller was a second team honoree in 2009.
