Richie Phillips, Tim Churchill, Colin McCabe Gain MASCAC All-Conference Honors
Richie Phillips, Tim Churchill, Colin McCabe Gain MASCAC All-Conference Honors
Westfield, Mass. – Richie Phillips, Tim Churchill, Colin McCabe, who have distinguished themselves on the football field and in the classroom for Massachusetts Maritime Academy, gained MASCAC Football Offensive & Defensive All-Conference honors on Wednesday (11/15/17) in a vote by the league coaches.
"I am very happy for Richie, Tim and Colin," said head coach Jeremy Cameron. "All three players enjoyed excellent individual seasons. All three players lead by example and make the people around them better. All three players are what you want in a student-athlete. Richie and Tim finished their careers on a great note. Colin has an extremely bright future."
Phillips, a senior running back from Onset, Mass., gained second team all-conference offensive honors. Tim Churchill, a senior defensive lineman from Scituate, Mass., and defensive standout Colin McCabe, a freshman from Dartmouth, Mass., each gained second team all-defensive conference status.
Phillips, an International Maritime Business major, ranked second among the league's top running backs during the 2017 football season. He rushed for 1,117 yards (4.6 ypg) along with seven touchdowns. He also was among the team's top receivers with 16 receptions for 142 yards and two touchdowns.
Phillips' 1,117 rushing yards were only 30 yards behind the league leader.
In the season finale in the team's 21-18 victory over Bridgewater State University, Phillips rushed for 149 yards and a touchdown to help lead the Buccaneers. For his efforts, Phillips earned Lee Harrington Most Valuable Player game honors.
Earlier in the year, Phillips rushed for a career-high 212 yards (the 12th 200-yard plus performance in school history) at Western Connecticut (10/14/17). Another top performance included a 194-yard effort at Westfield State (10/7/17).
Over the progression of his outstanding four-year college career, Phillips gained a career 2,406 yards with 23 touchdowns. He also garnered 40 catches. Phillips is one of ONLY six players in school history to rush for more than 2,000 career yards.
Churchill, a senior defensive lineman from Scituate, Mass., gained second team all-league defensive honors for his outstanding contributions on the football field in 2017. Churchill served as a Buccaneer co-captain. He collected 48 total tackles (32 solos), fourth-best on the team.
In the season-finale 21-18 victory over Bridgewater State University, Churchill notched six total tackles and forced a key fumble.
During his four seasons at Massachusetts Maritime, Churchill displayed leadership, talent and experience.
McCabe earned valuable playing time with his talent and determination although only a freshman. For his efforts as a frosh, McCabe gained second team all-defensive league honors. McCabe, who hails from Dartmouth, Mass., registered 50 total tackles (32 solos). He led the Buccaneers in tackles for loss (8 for 40 yards) and sacks (5.5 sacks).
Garin Veris, Massachusetts Maritime Athletics Director, echoed the plaudits of Buccaneers head coach Jeremy Cameron.
"Massachusetts Maritime Academy's three choices for Second Team All-MASCAC honors demonstrated the tremendous leadership we received from seniors Tim Churchill and Richie Phillips. I applaud the commitment these two players have given to the Buccaneer football program and our institution.
"Colin McCabe exemplifies the bright future of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy football program. He is a student of the game and will continue to get better each year for the Buccaneers."