NEC co-champions Albany (four first team, five second team) and Monmouth (5/4) led the conference with nine all-star selections. Stony Brook (4/3) and Wagner (3/4) landed seven all-NEC picks, followed by Central Connecticut State (3/3) and Sacred Heart (4/2) with six apiece. Robert Morris (1/4) earned five all-star nods, while St. Francis (PA) (1/0) had one recipient.

In just two years, Jones cemented his status as one of the great offensive forces in league history. In 2003, Jones broke his own NEC single-season rushing record with 1,524 yards, 15 better than his 1,509 yard campaign one year ago. He finished his career as Albany’s all-time leader in rushing yards (3,033) and all-purpose yards (3,639), while ranking third and fourth, respectively, in conference annals. Jones, who is currently sixth among I-AA rushing leaders with138.5 ypg, ran for 100+ yards in 15 of the last 18 games, including an astounding 788 over his final four outings. With a league-leading 19 touchdowns this season, the 2002 All-American also moved into second on the NEC's all-time scoring list with 252 points. Utilizing Jones as its workhorse, Albany shattered its own NEC single-season rushing records with 3,215 yards and 292.3 ypg. The Great Danes have led the NEC in rushing in each of their five years in the conference, including the top-three single-season averages: 292.3 ypg in 2003, 252.3 ypg in 2002 and 215.2 ypg in 2000.

One of the hardest hitting linebackers in recent vintage, Sentipal was the centerpiece of Monmouth’s stellar defensive unit. With Sentipal positioned at middle linebacker, the Hawks currently lead the nation in scoring defense (8.5 ppg), rushing defense (64.3 ppg) and total defense (244.3 ypg). Despite missing one game and battling a foot injury for much of the second half of the season, he led the NEC with 57 solo tackles. He also ranked third in total stops (105), interceptions (three) and fumble recoveries (three), and fourth in tackles for loss (15.0). A three-time NEC Defensive Player of the Week, Sentipal began to earn acclaim on a national basis when he was added to the 16-player Buck Buchanan Award list in October, representing the top defensive players in all of Division I-AA. He ends his career as a three-time first team all-conference honoree.

Harge produced the most prolific numbers of any freshman running back in league history in 2003 with a single-season record 1,082 yards. Harge, who also became the first freshman in conference annals to crack the 1,000-yard milestone, ranked second in the NEC in rushing yardage, averaged 5.7 yards per carry and scored eight touchdowns for the Blue Devils. He led the conference with three NEC Rookie of the Week selections and tied the single-game conference record with 242 rushing yards against Stony Brook on November 8.

Niklos made an immediate impression when he earned the first NEC Rookie of the Week accolade of the 2003 campaign, and seemed to get better as the season wore on for the Colonials. Niklos led the league and established an NEC freshman record with six interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns. He also ranked sixth in the conference with 11 passes defended. Currently, Niklos is second in the nation with 0.67 pickoffs per game.

Callahan is the only coach in Monmouth’s football history, and his 11th year at the helm of the Hawk program was his finest. Under Callahan’s guidance, Monmouth finished 10-2, setting a school record for wins in the process, and earned a share of the NEC championship for the third time. The Hawks went on to represent the NEC in the ECAC Football Classic and finished 2003 ranked fourth in the Sports Network I-AA Football poll. Monmouth, which spent three weeks in October as the top-ranked team in the Sports Network rankings, also posted the best turnaround in I-AA this season. The Hawks improved from 2-8 to 10-2, a seven-game swing. Callahan built his team around the nation’s stingiest defense, which allowed just 8.5 points per contest, a new NEC record.

Stony Brook junior T.J. Moriarty (Howell, NJ/Red Bank Catholic) earns first team all-NEC accolades at quarterback. Moriarty ranked first in the conference in total offense with 222.9 ypg and was the NEC’s top-rated starter with 1,929 yards and a 58.3 completion percentage. He completed 169-290 passes and rifled 11 touchdown passes. His ability to run provides an added dimension to his game that few league quarterbacks can match. The two-time NEC Offensive Player of the Week ran for 300 yards and scored six touchdowns.

Joining Jones as part of the first team all-NEC backfield is Stony Brook’s Clinton Graham (Milton, MA/Worcester Academy). After missing the entire 2002 season with a ruptured Achilles’ tendon, Graham ended the year third in the NEC in yards per carry (6.3) and fourth in rushing yards (1,055). He became the first Stony Brook running back to reach the 1,000-yard mark since 1993 and tallied a school record 15 touchdowns, good for second in the conference. A two-time NEC Offensive Player of the Week, he set a Division I school record with 240 yards in a win over Iona on November 15.

Wagner senior Sean Simmons (Gilroy, CA/CS Northridge) and Monmouth sophomore Miles Austin (Garfield, NJ/Garfield) are the league’s first team wide receivers. Simmons shattered both Wagner and the NEC’s single-season record for receptions with 74 and ranks 11th nationally with 6.7 catches per game. He also ranked first with 894 receiving yards and was third with seven touchdown grabs. Austin reeled in a league-best 12 touchdowns passes, the second-highest total in NEC history. The long ball threat also paced the conference with 18.1 yards per catch and ranked second in receiving yardage (796) and fifth in receptions (44).

Central Connecticut State senior Mike Malone (Williamstown, NJ/Williamstown) takes home first team all-conference honors at tight end. Malone led all NEC tight ends with 37 receptions for 600 yards. His eight scoring grabs was the second-best figure in the conference.

Two veteran competitors from Albany are among the five players tabbed to the first team all-NEC offensive line. Albany junior tackle Geir Gudmundsen (Saugerties, NY/Saugerties) earns his third straight all-star selection, including two straight first team nods. His counterpart, senior tackle Mike Laroche (Queensbury, NY/Queensbury), makes it back-to-back appearances on the first team. The duo helped propel the Great Danes to 3,215 rushing yards and 292.3 yards per game on the ground in 2003, both NEC records. They are joined by St. Francis (PA) senior tackle Brad Larson (Clarion, PA/Clarion), Stony Brook junior guard David Charles (Brooklyn, NY/Midwood) and Monmouth senior guard Jeff Gallo (Marlton, NJ/Cherokee). Larson, who has attracted the attention of pro scouts, is a repeat performer on the first team, while Charles comes off a second team showing in 2002.

There is an influx of new talent on the first team all-NEC defensive line as only Wagner senior defensive tackle Franklin Bright (Waltham, MA/Belmont) and Albany senior defensive tackle David Parks (Central Islip, NY/Central Islip) can claim previous all-star recognition. Bright, who was a second team all-NEC performer in 2001, is a fearsome pass rusher who tied for the NEC lead and ranks 15th nationally with 9.0 sacks in 2003. He is also second in the league and 13th in I-AA with 18.5 stops for negative yardage, and ranks third in the conference with three forced fumbles. Parks, who earned second team all-NEC plaudits a year ago, concluded 2003 with 7.0 sacks and 12.0 tackles for loss, good for sixth and ninth, respectively, among league defenders. Monmouth senior defensive end Sean Hefferon (Stanhope, NJ/Hopatcong) and Stony Brook junior defensive end David Bamiro (Central Islip, NY/Central Islip) round out the line. Hefferon dragged down 17 runners behind the line of scrimmage, third in the league, and was fifth in the NEC with 7.5 sacks. Another strong pass rusher, Bamiro tied for first on the circuit with 9.0 sacks (ninth in I-AA) and added 15.0 tackles for loss, the fourth best mark in the league.

Along with Sentipal, Robert Morris junior James Noel (Miami, FL/North Miami) and Wagner senior Tim Heaney (Lincroft, NJ/Middletown South) are the best of a deep NEC linebacking core. Noel, the NEC Defensive Rookie of the Year and a second team all-NEC pick in 2002, is the second-leading tackler in the conference with 107 stops. He also registered 9.0 takedowns for negative yardage and had 3.5 sacks. Underrated throughout much of his career, Heaney makes his first all-star appearance after leading the NEC with 108 tackles (18th nationally) and five forced fumbles (2nd nationally). He also ranked eighth in sacks (6.0) and tackles for loss (12.5).

Central Connecticut State junior cornerback Chris Blackshear (Fort Pierce, FL/Port St. Lucie) and Sacred Heart senior strong safety Brian Pawlowski (Branchburg, NJ/Immaculata), who share the NEC career record with 16 interceptions, bring a wealth of all-star experience to the first team all-NEC secondary. Blackshear, the lone repeat first team winner, tallied 49 tackles, broke up nine passes and had five pickoffs, one off the league-high. Pawlowski, who claimed second team all-league honors in 2000 and 2002, recorded four interceptions in 2003, to go along with 51 stops, 3.5 tackles for loss and two fumble recoveries. Blackshear and Pawlowski can also boast of teammates on the first team as CCSU junior cornerback Donnie Rose (Hartford, CT/Sport Science Academy) and Sacred Heart senior cornerback Pete Athans (Ocean, NJ/Ocean Township) are first time honorees. Rose was fifth on the Blue Devils with 52 takedowns, and tied for fifth in the NEC with four interceptions and three fumble recoveries. Athans ranked fifth on the Pioneers with 59 tackles, broke up eight passes and picked off three more.

Sacred Heart senior Greg Tonzola (Denville, NJ/Morris Knolls) is the second straight Pioneer placekicker to garner first team all-NEC recognition following Tim Redican’s selection in 2002. As reliable as they come, Tonzola converted 12-15 three-point attempts, and led the conference in field goals per game (1.09) and field goal percentage (.800). He is 24th nationally in made field goals.

Monmouth punter Sean Dennis (Westhampton, NJ/Holy Cross) is the lone freshman to be voted to the all-conference team this season. Dennis led the NEC by a wide margin with 41.6 yards per kick. He placed 14 inside the 20 yard line and uncorked a league-record 84-yard punt against Central Connecticut State on November 1.

Sacred Heart senior Pete Athans (Ocean, NJ/Ocean Township) was named the league’s top return specialist for the second straight season. Athans ranked second in the conference with 10.6 yards per punt return and broke off a 76-yard return for a score in a win over CCSU on September 20. His 22.5 yard average on kickoff returns landed him fourth on the league chart.

The second team all-NEC offense is headed by Wagner junior quarterback David Bateman (Cape Coral, FL/North Fort Myers). Bateman threw for 1,925 yards and 14 touchdowns to rank second in the conference in both categories. The backfield is comprised of Robert Morris senior tailback Sam Dorsett (Hollywood, FL/Flanagan) and Albany senior fullback Jon George (Scotia, NY/Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake). Dorsett concludes a decorated career as a three time NEC all-star who overcame a serious knee injury after leading the conference in rushing both 2000 and 2001. The league’s third-leading rusher this past season with 1,064 yards, he boosted his career total to 3,847 yards, second on the NEC’s all-time chart. His 4,255 all-purpose yards is also second in conference annals. The often unheralded George makes a return appearance on the second team as part of a terrific one-two punch along with tailback Gary Jones. An outstanding blocker, George also ran for 589 yards and four touchdowns, while averaging an outstanding 6.8 yards per carry, the second-best figure in the conference. Stony Brook junior Londre Blocker (Manhasset, NY/Manhasset) and Sacred Heart senior Marlon Ward (Revere, MA/Hudson Catholic) are two wide receivers who can stretch defenses with their speed. Blocker was the second leading receiver on the circuit with 48 receptions for 716 yards and seven touchdowns. Ward averaged 16.1 yards on his team-high 34 catches, six of which went for touchdowns. Monmouth senior tight end Pete Raspitzi (Avenel, NJ/Colonial) was the third-leading receiver on Monmouth with 24 grabs for 274 yards and three touchdowns. The second team offensive line features a pair of Albany players in junior center Brandon Shaw (Auburn, NY/Auburn) and senior guard Tom Swicicki (Levittown, NY/Division Avenue). For Shaw, it marks his second straight second team nod. In total, four of Albany’s five offensive lineman were recognized by league coaches this season. Three players with previous NEC all-star experience round out the line. Robert Morris senior guard Kevin Wachhaus (Lancaster, PA/Manheim), who missed the 2002 season with injuries, was named to the all-NEC first team in 2001 and second team in 2000. Wagner senior center Brian Dilworth (Atlantic Highlands, NJ/Middletown South) was a first team recipient a year ago, while Central Connecticut State senior tackle Anthony Almeida (Rehoboth, MA/Dighton-Rehoboth) collected second team plaudits in 2002.

11 first time all-stars grace the second team all-NEC defense. On the defensive line, Robert Morris teammates Will Weathers (Hyattsville, MD/DeMatha) and Jason Forrest (Central Islip, NY/St. John The Baptist) are joined by Monmouth senior defensive end Mike DeFalco (Milltown, NJ/Spotswood) and Wagner senior defensive end Luke Schmidt (Lake Oswego, OR/Lakeridge). Weathers, a senior, registered 71 tackles, 4.5 sacks and was sixth in the conference with 14.0 tackles for loss, while Forrest, a sophomore tackle, tallied 53 stops, 3.5 sacks and was second on the Colonials with 10.5 hits for negative yardage. DeFalco was a dominating pass rusher for the vaunted Monmouth defense, leading the league with 20.0 tackles for loss and tying for first with 9.0 sacks. He stands among the top-20 nationally in both categories. The opportunistic Schmidt recovered four fumbles for the Seahawks, and also ranked seventh in the NEC in both sacks (6.5) and tackles for loss (13.0). There is a New York metropolitan flavor to the second team linebacking core, beginning with Albany senior Victor Camacho (New York, NY/Mount St. Michael), who led the Great Danes and was ninth in the conference with 94 tackles. Central Connecticut State junior Joe Mahaffey (Somerville, NJ/Somerville) and Stony Brook junior Eddie Cobbinah (Bronx, NY/Cardinal Hayes) both reached the century mark with 100 tackles, tying for sixth in the NEC. In the secondary, Central Connecticut State sophomore free safety Rob McGuire (Howard Beach, NY/Christ The King) paced all NEC defensive backs and tied for third on the circuit with 105 tackles. He also intercepted two passes and forced two fumbles. Monmouth senior strong safety Kevin Hutchison (Florence, NJ/Florence), who picked off two balls, was the Hawks’ second-ranked tackler with 74 and tied for ninth in the league with 10 pass breakups. Sacred Heart senior Ron St. Juste (Stamford, CT/Stamford), an outstanding cover cornerback, established a new NEC record with 20 passes defended, a figure that ranks him third in the nation among I-AA players. He also recorded 60 tackles and three interceptions. Stony Brook junior cornerback Ernie Williams (Teaneck, NJ/Teaneck) found ways to get his hands on the ball and into the end zone, scoring two touchdowns off his five interceptions (tied for second in NEC) and three fumble recoveries (tied for fourth).