2016 WORCESTER AREA FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION

26th Annual Steve “Merc” Morris All-Star Team

As Selected by the Worcester Area Sports Information Directors

The Worcester Area Football Association All-Star Team is named in the memory of Steve “Merc” Morris, the longtime Assistant Director of Athletics for Media Relations and Assumption Hall of Famer. “Merc” was a 1972 graduate of Assumption and was a member of the athletics staff for 39 years before passing away in January of 2011.

In addition to being the founder of the Worcester Area Association All-Star program, he was a tireless supporter of collegiate athletics in the Worcester area and had a key role in the lives of thousands of student-athletes.

Offensive Player of the Year

Chris Mullins, Nichols College, Fr., QB

Mullins had an outstanding first season at Nichols, as he threw for 3016 yards and 20 touchdowns in ten games. Mullins also ran for 389 yards on the ground, reaching the end zone ten times. With Mullins under center, the Bison improved from one win in 2015 to six in 2016, representing Nichols’ first winning season since 2007. For his accomplishments, Mullins was named to the NEFC All-Conference Second Team.

Co-Defensive Players of the Year

Brian Murtagh, WPI, Sr., LB & Matthew McEvilly, Nichols, Sr., LB

Murtagh, appearing Worcester All-Star First Team for the third consecutive year. The senior linebacker led the Liberty League in total tackles (118), solo tackles (80) and tackles per game (11.8) made double-digit stops in eight of 10 games with a season-high 15 at MIT and again against Union. He also totaled 11 tackles for loss, two sacks, an interception and three pass breakups on the season. Murtagh earned honors from the D3football.com All-East Region team, the New England Football Writers Division II/III All-New England team and the Liberty League All-Conference team.

McEvilly was the centerpiece of the Nichols defense, as he totaled 127 tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss, five quarterback hurries and four pass breakups. The senior linebacker was named Best Defensive Player in New England by the Gridiron Club of Greater Boston after being named to the NEFC All-Conference First Team.

Special Teams Player of the Year

Cole Tracy, Assumption, Jr., PK

Tracy earns the Worcester All-Star Special Teams Player of the Year for the second straight season. Tracy made 51 of 54 extra-point kicks and 19 of 29 field goals to score a total of 108 points, ranking him seventh in the country in NCAA Division II in scoring for a place-kicker. 

Freshman of the Year

Sean McAllen, WPI, Fr., RB

McAllen, the Liberty League Rookie of the Year, was second in the league in rushing attempts (170), fifth in yards (701) and ninth in average yards per game (70.1). He ran for a season-best 215 yards on 29 carries with a pair of touchdowns and a 74 yard TD in the season opener at MIT. Within the Liberty League, McAllen totaled 114 yards on 25 rushes to go with a touchdown pass as part of the Wild Goat at Springfield. The newcomer also rumbled into the end zone at RPI, vs Hobart and at Rochester.

Coach of the Year

Dale Olmsted, Nichols

Olmsted, in just his third season at the helm of the Bison, has taken Nichols to heights they had not seen in years. The Bison improved from one win in 2015 to six in 2016, representing Nichols’ first winning season since 2007. Four Bison made the NEFC All-Conference Team while senior linebacker Matthew McEvilly was named the Best Defensive Player in New England by the Gridiron Club of Greater Boston.

2016 Worcester Area Football Association All-Star Team

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