Nov. 14, 2005

The 2005 All-Conference players of the New England Football Conference were announced this past weekend. Several Endicott players were recognized including Orlando Johnson (first team defense), Joe Leaver (second team defense), and Gerard Festa (second team offense).

Junior defensive back Orlando Johnson (Newport, RI) was the only Endicott player to receive first team honors. He was third on the team in tackles with 37.5, and had four interceptions, three breakups and a forced fumble for the season. Johnson helped the Gulls pick off an NCAA-best 30 passes in 2005.

Leaver (Stoughton, MA) led the team with 31 solo tackles (39 total) including 7.5 for loss and 2.5 sacks. Leaver had his best efforts in the Gulls biggest games of the season. He had a team high eight tackles in a win over Fitchburg, and six tackles and a sack in the Gulls' narrow loss to Curry.

Festa (Revere, MA) had 1,160 yards rushing and nine touch downs. The running back, who averaged 5.9 yards per touch, also caught 12 passes for 150 yards and a TD. Festa averaged 113.3 yards per game.

Also receiving honorable mention were sophomores Pego Jean-Paul (Stamford, CT) and Adam Labbe (Litchfield, ME) and juniors TJ Sawyer (South Burlington, VT) Jay Munroe (Beverly, MA), and Angelo Perrina (Reading, MA).