Co-Offensive Player of the Week (Nov. 8)
Tom Secky, Alfred University
So., QB, Bemus Point, NY/Maple Grove HS

Secky tied an Alfred single-game record with six touchdown passes as the Saxons clinched a share of the Empire 8 title and their first trip to the NCAA Division III playoffs since 1981 with a 56-30 win over Utica.  Secky completed 16 of 26 passes for 369 yards, the second-most in a game at Alfred.

Co-Offensive Player of the Week (Nov. 8)
Brad Carlton, St. John Fisher College
Sr., RB, Schenectady, NY/Mohonasen HS

Carlton ran 22 times for 153 yards and four touchdowns, all career-highs, to lead St. John Fisher to a 56-13 victory over Hartwick and a share of its fourth Empire 8 title in the past six years.  Carlton scored three times in the first half as the Cardinals built a 35-0 lead at intermission.

Defensive Player of the Week (Nov. 8)
Jared Manzer, Alfred University
Sr., FS, Johnson City, NY/Johnson City HS

Manzer intercepted two passes, including one for a score, as Alfred topped Utica 56-30 to earn a share of the Empire 8 title and the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Football Championship.  He returned an interception 52 yards for a touchdown.

Special Teams Player of the Week (Nov. 8)
Andrew Rogowski, Ithaca College
So., PK, East Amherst, NY/Canisius HS

Rogowski hit a career-high three field goals and raised his season total to a school-record 12 in a 23-20 Ithaca win over Cortland in the annual Cortaca Jug game.  Rogowski averaged a career-best 43.2 average on six punts, including becoming the first Bombers’ punter to record two 50+ kicks in the same game with a 54- and 55-yarder.  Two of his punts pinned Cortland at its six-yard line.

Empire 8 Football team notes... (Nov. 23)

Senior tailback Vinson Hendrix ran for 116 yards in the Alfred loss to Albright in the first round of the NCAA Division III Football Championship.  He tied the school’s single-season record of eight games with at least 100 yards for the second time.  Senior wideout and Empire 8 Offensive Player of the Year Jared Manzer was injured during the Saxons’ opening series and did not return.  Sophomore quarterback Tom Secky threw for 229 yards.  Freshman defensive back Andre McCloud made five solo tackles and blocked a punt, and senior strong safety Nick Barton contributed 11 tackles, including nine solo hits.  Linebackers Chad Pieri and Marc Mangovski each registered a sack… Sophomore quarterback Josh Carter passed for a career-high 179 yards and two touchdowns, including a school-record 88-yarder to junior halfback Antoine King in the third quarter as Springfield topped Plymouth State 42-13 in the ECAC Northeast Championship Bowl.  He also ran for 67 yards and one touchdown to earn Most Outstanding Player honors.  Senior free safety Jarred Burrell returned an interception 100 yards for a touchdown, breaking an 82-year-old school record.  Head Coach Mike DeLong won his 150th career game with the Pride… Junior quarterback Tim Bailey was named Most Outstanding Player of the ECAC Northwest Bowl as St. John Fisher defeated Cortland 34-20.  He completed 24 of 41 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns, while also rushing for 70 yards and another score.  The Cardinals’ defense came up big late in the game, forcing Cortland to turn the ball over (two interceptions, one fumble, and once on downs) on its final four possessions.