Full NE10 Release
MANSFIELD, Mass.| On Wednesday, LIU Post graduate quarterback Yianni Gavalas and senior offensive lineman Joseph Lacey were named Northeast 10 Conference Offensive Player of the Year and Offensive Lineman of the Year, respectively.
Through 10 starts, Gavalas averaged a league-best 308.7 passing yards per game on a .708 (257-of-363) completion rate. Furthermore, he has thrown the most touchdowns (37) in the NE10 and ran for a pair of scores.
Meanwhile, Lacey, a two-time NE10 First-Team selection paved the way for the NE10's No. 1 offense in total offense and scoring as well as league's leading passer. His team ranked eighth in Division II in total offense and scoring offense.
Running Back Malik Pierre and offensive lineman Chris Coles joined Gavalas and Lacey on the NE10 First-Team offensive unit. Pierre has rushed for a league third-best 868 yards this season and averaged a conference-best 6.4 yards per carry. Additionally, he has a NE10-best 11 touchdowns to his credit.
Coles, a two-team NE10 All-Conference member, has battled in the trenches and opened up holes to assist an LIU Post offense that leads the NE10 in total offense (4,996), passing touchdowns (38), first downs (258), and third-down conversion percentage (.58).
The defensive line boasted two All-NE-10 first-team selections. They were red-shirt seniors Anthony DeNunzio and Jared Chester.
Chester, last year's Defensive Player of the Year, has provided 56 tackles (29 solo, 27 assist) in 2017. DeNunzio ranks second in the NE10 in sacks (8.5), has tallied 43 tackles on the season and one force fumble.
Joining the Second-Team, on offense, are Michael Richardson and James Louison.
Richardson paces the Pioneer receiving corps with a team-leading 60 catches for 880 and a NE10 second-best 14 touchdowns.
Louison garners his second NE10 All-Conference in as many years leading the Pioneers on the offensive front. The offensive lineman has helped LIU Post to a 8-2 record and helped a running games to a conference-leading 5.3 yards per carry.
Abel Joseph receive his first collegiate All-Conference nods after a season that saw him compile career-best in tackles (35), tackles per game (3.5), and sacks (2).
Defensive backs Jake Carlock and Richard Wright rounded out the green and gold's All-NE10 second-team honorees.
Carlock, a first-time member of the NE10 All-Conference Second-Team, has played in every game and totaled a team-best 64 tackles (37 solo, 27 assist) and four interceptions, with a pair of pass break-ups. Wright has contributed 16 tackles (16 solo, six assist) this season, while adding a team-best eight breakups.
For his impressive rookie season, Nazir Strater was named to the NE10 All-Rookie team, after collecting 34 tackles (27 solo, 7 assists). The defensive back led the team in forced fumbles and fumble recovery. Additionally, he successfully broke up two passes on the year.