BEVERLY, Mass. – Seniors Marcell Cooper (Dorchester, Mass.), Greg Dellorco (Franklin, Mass.), and Jason Silva (Palatine, Ill.) and have been selected as captains of the 2013 Endicott Football team that looks to contend for their second New England Football Conference (NEFC) Championship. Dellorco, Silva, and Cooper become Endicott Football's 45th, 46th, and 47th captains since the program's first varsity season in 2003.
This trio of seniors have been a integral pieces of Endicott's run of success over the past three seasons as the Gulls have accumulated a record of 28-6 (18-3 NEFC Boyd) with a NEFC Championship and NCAA Tournament appearance in 2010 as well as back-to-back Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) North Atlantic Bowl titles in 2011 and 2012. Endicott with compete with seven other members of the newly restructured NEFC looking to win the regular season title and a bid into the NCAA Division III Tournament.
With so much success in just a decade of gridiron action, the coaching staff at Endicott utilizes its captains to continually develop one of New England's up and coming football programs. The selection process is detailed and identifies individuals with high character, maturity, motivational and communication skills, and playing ability.
"We have a unique way of developing leaders, and being named a team captain is quite an honor," said 11th year head coach JB Wells. "These three men are respected by their teammates and coaches and I have no doubt that they are equipped and ready to lead this team in the right direction."
Marcell Cooper, Nose Guard
Cooper earned his first NEFC All-Division award by being named a First Team Defensive Lineman in the Boyd Division last fall. Cooper recorded a team-high 80 tackles, 47 unassisted, and 4.5 for a loss in his junior season. He also totaled one sack, a pass breakup, a forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. Cooper also set a single-game career-high with 13 tackles in a critical 50-45 win over Western New England last October.
Coach Wells says, "Marcell is the emotional center of this team. His enthusiasm is infectious and he has the ability to bring the rest of his teammates 'up' when needed."
Greg Dellorco, Tight End
In his first season as the team's primary tight end target, Dellorco set career-highs with 25 receptions, 347 receiving yards, and four touchdowns. He was recognized as a NEFC Boyd Division First Team Tight End for his efforts on the field while off the field, Dellorco collected his second NEFC Academic All-Conference award for maintaining a solid grade point average as a Sport Management major.
Coach Wells says, "Greg is as mature and mentally tough a person as I have ever been around. He truly understands the team concept and how to effectively communicate with his teammates and coaches in any situation."
Jason Silva, Defensive Back
Silva has been high-decorated over the past two years, accumulating All-American honors from the Beyond Sports Network (BSN) in 2011 as well as Preseason All-American recognition from BSN and USA College Football Division III prior to the 2012 season. He has totaled eight career interceptions, 16 pass breakups, and 44 total tackles during his playing career in the Blue and Green.
Coach Wells says, "Jason is a great player whose experience and leadership has a calming effect on his teammates. Football is a game of ups and downs, and players on both sides of the ball will benefit from this ability."
With just over 100 days until the start of the 2013 Endicott Football season, the leadership of Cooper, Dellorco, and Silva will directly impact the success of the team this fall. The Gulls begin their march towards NEFC Championship glory with preseason camp in mid-August in preparation of their week one match up with the defending conference champions and now members of the Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference (MASCAC), Framingham State, on Saturday, September 7th.
