Brockport Earns D3football.com 2018 All-East Region Awards

BROCKPORT, N.Y. – The D3football.com 2018 All-East Region Team was announced on Tuesday, with The College at Brockport football team earning two headline awards as well as placing nine players amongst the ranks of All-East Region. Joe Germinerio was tabbed the Offensive Player of the Year, as well as named to the First Team Offense as Quarterback. The junior helped orchestrate an outstanding Brockport offense in 2018 that posted a 41.67 points per game average, churning out nearly 6,000-yards of total offense. Over the course of the season, the junior amassed 3,370-yards of total offense, including 2,994-yards through the air with 38 total touchdowns, with 28 throwing scores. The Wynantskill, N.Y. native also went 238-for-370 on his passes, and ranked among the nation's best in several throwing categories including his top-ten completion percentage ranking (.672). On the defensive side, Austin Dean was named the East Region Defensive Player of the Year, as he led a defensive unit that was astounding in 2018. He was a major player in the Green and Gold defensive that led the nation all season in allowing negative rush yards, a measly negative 2.8-yard average for opponents. The Green and Gold also led Division III in Red Zone D (.286) and third down conversion percentage (.148). Dean was a terrifying sight for opponents lined up on the opposite side, as the imposing senior dominated on defense. Dean racked up 49-tackles over the course of 2018, with 20 solo tackles. He accumulated 13-tackles for a loss of 54-yards, picked up 6.5 sacks for a loss of 44-yards and got his hand on two blocked kicks. His efforts also landed him on the First Team Defense as a Defensive Tackle. Joining Germinerio and Dean amongst the First Team picks were seniors Caleb Ferdilus and Rashad Baker. Ferdilus was named to the First Team Offense as a Tackle. The only returning offensive lineman, Ferdilus anchored the offensive line that saw a plethora of offensive production in 2018. The Green and Gold averaged nearly 510-yards of total offense a game, with 225.6-yards per game rushing average. He helped pave the way for 67 Brockport regular season touchdowns, and gave up a mere 11-sacks in 2018. Baker had a breakout 2018, landing him on the First Team Defense as a corner back. Baker was an integral cog in the Brockport defensive machine that wreaked havoc on opponents. Baker set the single-season record for pass breakups, with 20, including seven interceptions. The senior also picked up 21-tackles and a tackle for loss. The Golden Eagles had three named to the Second Team Defense, in linebacker Matt Szymanski and safety's Matt Arita and Jake O'Connell. Szymanski led the Green and Gold in tackles during the season with 63, adding 12.5-tackles for a loss of 51-yards and picked up 5.5 sacks. The senior also had two interceptions in 2018, a broken-up pass and a fumble recovery. Arita had a solid senior campaign, leading the Golden Eagles in interceptions with eight on the year, and got his hand on 10 pass breakups, while also scooping up two fumble recoveries. Arita also added 25 tackles, 15 of which were solo. O'Connell accounted for 20-tackles, four pass breakups, an interception and a tackle for loss. The Green and Gold had two named to the Third Team, with Mike Ambrosio named to the Offensive Team as a Center, and Alex West named to the Defensive team as a Linebacker. Both were standouts in their respective positions, with senior Ambrosio anchoring the offensive line, stepping into the role as a senior. Ambrosio was a very dominant and physical run blocker, and behind his pass protection, didn't allow a single sack in 2018 and had 40 knockdowns. West was a core member of the Brockport defense, recording 56-tackles in 2018, including 24 solo. The junior also had an impressive 15.5-tackles for a loss of 76-yards, and 6.5 sacks. West had nine pass breakups, 12 quarterback hurries, two forced fumbles and one interception to earn a spot on the third team.