BEVERLY, Mass. – Endicott football student-athletes Shane Aylward (Tewksbury, Mass.), Tim Russell (Stoneham, Mass.), Ryan Smith (Glastonbury, Conn.), and Zachariah Twardosky (Merrimack, N.H.) have all earned Commonwealth Coast Football (CCC Football) weekly awards, as announced by the league office earlier today.
Aylward received both CCC Football Offensive Player (first career) and Rookie of the Week awards (third career, second straight), while Russell claimed Defensive Player of the Week (second career) honors.
Smith and Twardosky rounded out the award winners with Special Teams Player of the Week (second career, second straight) and Defensive Rookie of the Week (second career) accolades, respectively.
In Endicott's 34-27 win over Curry last Saturday, Aylward set new career-highs in receptions (7) and receiving yards (117) to open conference play. His biggest reception on the day came on a 47-yard touchdown catch that gave the Gulls the lead, 17-14, heading into the halftime break. His 117 yards on seven catches gave him a 16.7 yards per catch average.
Russell had one of the biggest defensive plays for Endicott midway through the fourth quarter as he returned an interception 57 yards for a touchdown. The score turned out to be the difference in the game. In addition to his game-winning pick, Russell had eight tackles (three solo, five assisted), including two for a loss and a sack. He also had one pass breakup in the win.
As for Smith, the sophomore kicker recorded at least 10 points for the second week in a row. Smith went 2-for-3 on field goal tries, including a 41-yarder to start the scoring on Endicott's first drive of the contest. He also converted all four of his PAT attempts.
Twardosky registered a career-high 10 tackles (five solo, five assisted) last weekend's win. Among Twardosky's 10 stops were two tackles for loss and a sack. He also had a quarterback hurry in the win.
WHAT'S NEXT
Endicott (4-1, 1-0 CCC Football) hosts Western New England (3-2, 1-0 CCC Football) on Saturday, October 9 at 12 PM. For the latest on Endicott Athletics, follow the Gulls on social media on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
(Photo Credit - Tatianna Carbonel '22)
