BEVERLY, Mass. – Following a dominant defensive performance against No. 5/5 nationally ranked Hardin-Simmons last Friday night, Endicott senior defensive back Zachariah Twardosky (Merrimack, N.H.) has earned the New England Football Writers Association (NEFW)/Grinold Chapter Gold Helmet Award for NCAA Division II/III.

The NEFW/Grinold Gold Helmet Award is presented to student-athletes from FBS, FCS, Division II, and Division III institutions throughout New England. The Gold Helmet Award is bestowed to two winners, one from Division I (FBS/FCS) and the other from Division II/III.

Last Friday night, Twardosky paced a stellar defensive effort with 10 total tackles (eight solo and one for a loss), a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery as the Gulls upended fifth-ranked Hardin-Simmons 37-10.

Twardosky's fumble recovery was one of four turnovers the hosts amassed against the visiting Cowboys, who were held to season lows in points, passing yards, and total offense.

The win was Endicott's first over a nationally ranked team in program history.

Twardosky is the fourth student-athlete, and the only defensive player, in program history to claim an NEFW/Grinold Chapter Gold Helmet Award joining quarterbacks Phil Konopka '12 (Shelton, Conn.), Drew Frenette (New Bedford, Mass.), and Joe Kalosky (Plymouth, Conn.) on the illustrious list (based upon available data).

Konopka, an Endicott Athletics Hall of Famer, was the first student-athlete in the program to claim the honor (Oct. 5, 2011, 55-7 win over Curry), while Frenette (Oct. 9, 2013, 53-28 win over Maine Maritime), and Kalosky followed (Nov. 23, 2019, 52-10 New England Bowl win over Dean). 

GOLD HELMET AWARD INFO 

For the ninth straight year, the Jack Grinold/Eastern Massachusetts Chapter of the National Football Foundation is the presenting sponsor for both the weekly and end-of-year Gold Helmet Awards.

For more information on the Gold Helmet Awards and the New England Football Writers Association, please visit www.newenglandfootballwriters.com, and for more information on the Grinold Chapter, please visit www.grinoldchapter.com.

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(Photo Credit - David Le '10)