Dartmouth alumni Artie Lynch (Georgia) and Sean Sylvia (Boston College) are playing on the FBS level, and FCS ball (former I-AA) is being played by fellow former Indians Justin Mello at New Hampshire and Andrew Kestenbaum at Rhode Island. New Bedford's Blaine Hopwood is making defensive plays at Division II Bentley, and in Division III beyond UMass Dartmouth, Bridgewater State is getting fine play from Dartmouth's Justin Cruz and Lakeville's Tate Doehler.

Before Saturday's 34-6 Admiral's Cup victory over Maine Maritime in Buzzards Bay, Apponequet grad Bois and New Bedford native and Bishop Stang grad Simmons were already contributing at Mass Maritime (5-2, 3-2 New England Football Conference).

Bois, the 5-foot-10, 195-pound senior linebacker from Lakeville, added 14 tackles and a fumble recovery top his resume and raised total tackles for the season to 51. After making nine solo tackles, he now has 37 on the year. Bois had already forced two fumbles and returned an interception 59 yards for a touchdown in the Buccaneers' 51-13 rout of MIT. He was averaging 7.4 tackles per game, ranking him 19th in the NEFC. He also ranks seventh in forced fumbles.

"Mike truly exemplifies the term leader, both on and off the field. His instincts and quickness enable him to be effective in any situation, whether in stopping the rush or defending the pass," said Mass Maritime head coach Jeremy Cameron. "The experience that he brings to our defensive unit is key, but the example he sets on a daily basis is one that has helped build our program."

The two-year team co-captain earned all-NEFC Bogan Division 2nd team honors in 2010 after leading MMA with 81 total tackles.

Simmons, a 6-2, 285-pound senior offensive lineman, is a three-year starter at left tackle who has helped the Buccaneers set seven different single-game and season rushing records over the past two-plus seasons. The co-captain has been a major part of a line that has allowed just three sacks this season.

"Lenny has been a strong, reliable and very important part of our offensive line throughout his career," said Cameron. "He has helped our program progress and develop by demonstrating outstanding leadership and example, and he is extremely effective at adjusting to any offensive set that we run."

Dartmouth's Charlie Sykes and Fairhaven's Armand Pimentel are also playing their senior season of football at Mass Maritime.

Last week, Doehler had six solo tackles for Bridgewater State including two for loss. He forced a fumble and knocked away a pair of passes, while Cruz, a junior linebacker, a made a fumble recovery.

Hopwood, a sophomore linebacker, had nine tackles in Bentley's 33-29 loss to Merrimack on Saturday. He leads his team for the season with 61 tackles, including seven for losses and three sacks.