Sparkill, N.Y. - The Collegiate Sprint Football League (CSFL) announced its 2023 All-Conference and major award winners on Tuesday, as three of the league's eight member institutions boasted major award winners on offense, defense, special teams, and among the CSFL's 2023 rookie class. The announcement of the award winners was made by CSFL Commissioner Dan Mara. Nominating and voting for the awards was conducted by the league's eight head coaches.
Twelve St. Thomas Aquinas College Sprint Football players were selected for All-Conference accolades. Nyir Jones and Shawn Benard were named to the All-CSFL First Team, while Ryan Kenny, Jayden Bennermon, Reno Molina, Thomas Everding, Dominic Tortorelli, Donnell White, Jr. and JT Perry, were chosen for the All-CSFL Second Team. In addition, Spartans Phillip Meikle, Ethan Hence and Christopher Jones each received honorable mention status by the league.
STAC recorded its first winning season in program history with a 4-3 overall mark in 2023.
CSFL All-Conference First-Team Offense
Nyir Jones (Fr.|Camden, N.J.) - Wide Receiver
- Led the Spartans receiving corps in receptions (28) and yards (417), while catching four touchdown passes in seven games.
CSFL All-Conference First-Team Defense
Shawn Benard (Sr.|Rochester, N.Y.) - Defensive Back
- Recorded 21 total tackles (16 solo, 5 assist), a fumble recovery and an interception for the maroon and gold, while suiting up for all seven games.
CSFL All-Conference Second-Team Offense
Ryan Kenny (Jr.|Brooklyn, N.Y.) - Quarterback
- Completed 109 of 179 passes (60.9% completion percentage), while racking up 1,460 passing yards, 17 touchdowns and just five interceptions in seven games for STAC. Kenny's 106.8 passer rating is ranks as one of the best in the CSFL. He also ran the ball 57 times for 31 yards and a rushing touchdown.
Jayden Bennermon (Sr.|Poughkeepsie, N.Y.) - Wide Receiver
- Posted 16 receptions for 229 yards over six games. Bennermon led the Spartans with six TD catches through the air and picked up his seventh score via the ground, as the senior wideout also had 112 rushing yards on five attempts.
Reno Molina (Sr.|Port Jefferson Station, N.Y.) - Wide Receiver
- Grabbed 27 passes for 350 yards and four scores in six games played. Molina also had a rushing touchdown, while gaining 215 yards on the ground via 16 attempts.
Thomas Everding (So.|Plainedge, N.Y.) - Offensive Line
- Everding was a key member of the Spartans offensive line, helping to protect the quarterback and provide key blocks to allow the STAC run game to succeed in 2023.
Dominic Tortorelli (Jr.|Brooklyn, N.Y.) - Offensive Line
- One of the veteran members of the offensive line, Tortorelli provided protection for the Spartans quarterbacks and helped open holes in the line for the running backs by blocking the opposition's best defensive players. He also mentored many of the younger offensive linemen, as they completed their first seasons in maroon and gold.
CSFL All-Conference Second-Team Defense
Donnell White, Jr. (So.|Jersey City, N.J.) - Defensive Line
- Led the Spartans defense in total tackles (54) and sacks (3.5), while also recording 7.5 tackles for losses totaling 30 yards. White, Jr. averaged 7.7 tackles per game, while playing in all of STAC's contests this season.
JT Perry (Sr.|Kingston, N.Y.) - Linebacker
- Perry was second on the squad in total tackles (52) and tackles per game (7.4), while recovering a fumble and recording 7.5 tackles for losses totaling 14 yards.
CSFL All-Conference Honorable Mention Offense
Phillip Meikle (Sr.|Englewood, N.J.) - Wide Receiver
- Caught three TD passes in seven games played, while racking up 324 yards on 18 receptions.
CSFL All-Conference Honorable Mention Defense
Ethan Hence (So.|Houston, Texas) - Linebacker
- Recorded 30 total tackles (22 solo, 8 assist), while suiting up for all seven games for STAC.
Christopher Jones (Sr.|Irvington, N.J.) - Linebacker
- Racked up 40 total tackles (27 solo, 13 assist) over seven contests, while also forcing a fumble and grabbing an interception for the Spartans. He also nine tackles for losses totaling 24 yards.