It comes as no surprise that the team that dominated Northeastern Conference football this fall also dominated the NEC All-Star list, which was released by the league yesterday.
With a perfect 10-0 record and Division 1A playoff berth secure going into today's Thanksgiving Day clash with rival Danvers at Newell Stadium (10 a.m.), the Fishermen earned an NEC-high seven all-star nods, as selected by the league's coaches at a meeting last week.
Senior running back Conor Ressel and Gloucester head coach Paul Ingram led the way for the Fishermen, as Ressel was named NEC Large Offensive MVP and Ingram was named NEC Large Coach of the Year.
Ressel has been the most productive running back in the North Shore this fall, with 1,416 yards and 21 touchdowns on the ground and another two TDs on receptions. Those numbers could be even bigger for the 6-foot, 200-pounder, but Ressel was able to sit out for great chunks of time in the second half of games this season due to Gloucester's 34-8 average margin of victory.
Ingram, meanwhile, has led Gloucester to a third straight postseason appearance, and has the team in good shape to get back to a third straight Super Bowl at Gillette Stadium. In his seventh season as head coach, Ingram now has a remarkable record of 68-10, a winning percentage of .872.
Joining Ressel as all-stars are: junior Chris Unis (DE), senior captain Gus Margiotta (OL), junior Andrew Mizzoni (OL), junior Gilbert Brown (LB), senior captain Brett Cahill (LB) and junior Jordan Shairs (LB).
The NEC Large Defensive MVP is Salem junior linebacker Antonio Reyes. Lynn English's John Lafratta and Peabody's Ed Melanson split the Assistant Coach of the Year Award, and Salem took home the Sportsmanship Award. Lynn English (8-2) and Lynn Classical (6-4) have six all-stars each.
In the NEC Small, Marblehead senior quarterback Hayes Richardson and Swampscott senior quarterback Matt Barbuzzi split the Offensive MVP. Richardson has thrown for 1,293 yards and 13 TDs, while Barbuzzi has tossed for 2,138 yards and 22 TDs. The two quarterbacks face each other today in Marblehead with the NEC Small title on the line.
Beverly senior linebacker Nick Kozlowski and Danvers senior linebacker John McInnis split the Defensive MVP, while Marblehead's Jim Rudloff was named Coach of the Year. Rudloff has led the Magicians to a surprising 8-2 record. Swampscott's Bob Serino earned Assistant Coach of the Year honors, and Saugus won the Sportsmanship Award.
Danvers, which is a very respectable 6-4 on the season going into today's game, matched Gloucester with seven all-stars. Beverly, Marblehead and Swampscott each had six.
