MILWAUKEE, Wis. (naccsports.org) --- The Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC) has announced its major award winners and all-conference teams for the 2022 season. League champion Aurora University captured three of the four major awards as senior quarterback
Josh Swanson (Waukesha, Wis.) was named NACC Offensive Player of the Year, junior linebacker
Marcellus Romious (Belleville, Ill.) earned NACC Defensive Player of the Year honors, and the Spartans' coaching staff, under the leadership of head coach
Don Beebe, was recognized by their peers as the NACC Coaching Staff of the Year.
The final major award went to Lakeland University quarterback
Robby Michael (Sheboygan, Wis.), who was named the league's top freshman.
NACC Offensive Player of the Year --- Josh Swanson, Sr., QB, Aurora University
Swanson started all 10 regular-season games for the Spartans, completing 186 of 307 passes (60.6 percent) for for 2,705 yards and an NCAA Division III-leading 43 touchdowns. He also leads Division III in points responsible for with 270.Â
Additionally, Swanson rushed for 173 yards and two touchdowns on 44 carries. He threw for two or more touchdowns in each game, led by a season-high six each against Concordia Chicago and Wisconsin Lutheran, and was responsible for six scores (five passing, one rushing) against Eureka.
Swanson leads all NACC quarterbacks in touchdown passes, passing efficiency (175.6), and yards per attempt (8.81), ranks second in total offense (281.3 ypg), passing yards, passing yards per game (270.5), completion percentage, and completions per game (18.60), and is third in yards per completion (14.54).
This is the third straight time an Aurora student-athlete has been named NACC Football Offensive Player of the Year. Gavin Zimbelman earned the award in 2019 and 2021. No individuals awards were given during the shortened Spring 2021 campaign.
NACC Defensive Player of the Year --- Marcellus Romious, Jr., LB, Aurora University
Romious started all 10 regular-season games for Aurora, recording 85 tackles, including 43 solo stops. He also had 18 tackles-for-loss (11 solo), a pair of solo sacks, and two interceptions.
Romious tied a collegiate record by returning an interception 100 yards for a touchdown against Concordia Chicago on Sept. 17. He ranks second amongst NACC defensive players in tackles for loss, fourth in total tackles, and eighth in solo tackles.
Romious is the second-consecutive Spartan to be named NACC Football Defensive Player of the Year, and fourth overall (Sean Reyna, 2021; Kam Dawtyne, 2017; Mike Budzinski, 2009).
NACC Freshman of the Year --- Robby Michael, QB, Lakeland University
Michael - a dual-threat quarterback - played in eight games for the Muskies. Through the air, he completed 94 of 181 passes for 999 yards and four touchdowns. Michael also rushed for 895 yards and seven scores on 112 carries, averaging 111.8 yards per game.
Michael's breakout game came on Oct. 15 against Concordia Chicago when was responsible for a total of five touchdowns in the 43-23 victory. He completed 20 of 38 passes for 214 yards and two touchdowns and carried the ball 22 times for 232 yards and three scores.
Michael ranks second in NCAA Division III in rush yards per carry (7.99) and ranks second among NACC players in rushing yards per game (111.9), third in total offense (236.8 ypg), fourth in rushing yards and all-purpose yards (111.88 ypg), fifth in rushing touchdowns, completions per game (11.75), and passing yards per game (124.9), and sixth in completion percentage (.519), passing efficiency (101.2), yards per pass attempt (5.52), and points responsible for per game (8.5).
Michael is the third Lakeland student-athlete to be named NACC Football Freshman of the Year following AJ Veloz (2014) and Oman Smothers (2017).
NACC Coaching Staff of the Year --- Aurora University (Don Beebe, head coach)
The Spartans, led by fourth-year head coach Don Beebe, captured their fourth-straight NACC crown, and sixth overall.
Aurora has gotten it done on both sides of the ball, leading NCAA Division III in interceptions with 25 while also ranking second in scoring offense (50.1 ppg), fourth in defensive touchdowns (5), fifth in turnover margin (+2.0), 11th in total offense (486.6 ypg), 13th in team passing efficiency (173.57), and 17th in scoring defense (11.7 ppg).
Amongst NACC schools, the Spartans rank in the top three in virtually every statistical category.
Beebe is assisted by
Ryan Gehlert, Troy Sheppard, J.T. Zimmerman, Hudson Stedman, Matt Piasecki, Joe Thorgesen, Jeremiah Chaney, and
Larry Sheppard.
This is the third consecutive time Beebe and/or the Aurora coaching staff have been recognized by the league's coaches. Beebe won the solo award in 2019, while Beebe-led staffs were recognized in both 2021 and 2022. No all-conference honors were announced during the abbreviated Spring 2021 campaign.
All-Conference Teams Announced
League champion Aurora saw a NACC-best 14 individuals named to the 59-member all-conference teams, including 11 on the first team. Concordia University Wisconsin had 11 all-league picks with a pair of first-teamers, while St. Norbert College also reached double-digits with 10 honorees. The Green Knights joined Benedictine University and Wisconsin Lutheran College with four first-team selections apiece. The Eagles captured eight all-NACC honors, while the Warriors had five.
Eureka College collected four all-league mentions, followed by three each for Concordia University Chicago and Lakeland University, and one for Rockford University. Eureka, Concordia Chicago, and Lakeland all had one first-team honoree.
Â
| 2022 All-Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference Football Team |
| Offensive Player of the Year - Josh Swanson, Sr., QB, Aurora |
| Defensive Player of the Year - Marcellus Romious, Jr., LB, Aurora |
| Freshman of the Year - Robby Michael, QB, Lakeland |
| Coaching Staff of the Year - Aurora University (Don Beebe, head coach) |
| Pos. |
First Team |
School |
Yr. |
Hometown |
| QB |
Josh Swanson |
Aurora |
Sr. |
Waukesha, Wis. |
| QB |
Tyler Jarnagin |
Benedictine |
Sr. |
Kankakee, Ill. |
| RB |
Jhe’Quay Chretin |
Aurora |
Sr. |
Bastrop, Texas |
| RB |
Justin Parbs |
Wisconsin Lutheran |
Sr. |
Milwaukee, Wis. |
| WR |
Trey Madsen |
Aurora |
Jr. |
Montgomery, Ill. |
| WR |
Sebastian Hill |
Eureka |
So. |
Pekin, Ill. |
| WR |
Parker Lawrence |
St. Norbert |
So. |
Hortonville, Wis. |
| TE |
Trevion Green |
Wisconsin Lutheran |
Jr. |
Miami, Fla. |
| OL |
Chris Toth |
Aurora |
Sr. |
Lockport, Ill. |
| OL |
Matt Kickel |
Aurora |
Sr. |
Bolingbrook, Ill. |
| OL |
Gannon Grider |
Benedictine |
Sr. |
Highland, Ind. |
| OL |
Jerrell Carey |
Concordia Wisconsin |
Sr. |
Chicago, Ill. |
| OL |
Nathan Krizan |
St. Norbert |
Sr. |
Shawano, Wis. |
| DB |
Ernesto Ramirez |
Aurora |
Jr. |
Minooka, Ill. |
| DB |
Ben Slatcoff |
Aurora |
Jr. |
Valparaiso, Ind. |
| DB |
Jayson Wilder |
Lakeland |
Sr. |
Milwaukee, Wis. |
| DB |
Joe Jung |
St. Norbert |
Sr. |
Neenah, Wis. |
| LB |
Marcellus Romious |
Aurora |
Jr. |
Belleville, Ill. |
| LB |
Tyler Walker |
Benedictine |
Sr. |
Peoria, Ill. |
| LB |
Justice Kaneta |
Concordia Wisconsin |
So. |
Brighton, Colo. |
| LB |
Ty Castillo |
Wisconsin Lutheran |
Sr. |
San Antonio, Texas |
| DL |
Cole Tandy |
Aurora |
Jr. |
Normal, Ill. |
| DL |
Jaylen Jordan |
Aurora |
So. |
Frankfort, Ill. |
| DL |
Brian Pritt |
Benedictine |
So. |
Chicago, Ill. |
| DL |
Julian Ramirez |
Concordia Chicago |
Sr. |
Zion, Ill. |
| RET |
James Mautino |
Aurora |
Jr. |
Spring Valley, Ill. |
| P |
Brady Wodack |
St. Norbert |
Sr. |
Sturgeon Bay, Wis. |
| PK |
Arnulfo Ortega |
Wisconsin Lutheran |
So. |
Laredo, Texas |
| Pos. |
Second Team |
School |
Yr. |
Hometown |
| QB |
James Linn |
Concordia Wisconsin |
Sr. |
Chino Hills, Calif. |
| RB |
Greg Hoard |
Benedictine |
Gr. |
Chicago, Ill. |
| RB |
Ben Bernabei |
Eureka |
Sr. |
Peru, Ill. |
| WR |
Cameron Moore |
Aurora |
Sr. |
Wheaton, Ill. |
| WR |
Nick Shelton |
Benedictine |
Jr. |
Stickney, Ill. |
| WR |
Tim Houlihan |
Concordia Wisconsin |
Sr. |
Lockport, Ill. |
| WR |
Joey Owens |
Rockford |
Sr. |
Ottawa, Ill. |
| TE |
TJ Harrold |
Concordia Wisconsin |
So. |
Rosenberg, Texas |
| OL |
Jackson Nazos |
Aurora |
Sr. |
Bolingbrook, Ill. |
| OL |
Mikey Shine |
Benedictine |
Sr. |
Chicago, Ill. |
| OL |
Andrew Elmhorst |
Concordia Wisconsin |
So. |
Manawa, Wis. |
| OL |
Hugo Garza |
Eureka |
Jr. |
Arcola, Ill. |
| OL |
Jeremiah Jones |
Lakeland |
Jr. |
Chicago, Ill. |
| DB |
Connor Nordmeyer |
Aurora |
Sr. |
Lindenhurst, Ill. |
| DB |
Blake Davis |
Benedictine |
Sr. |
Downers Grove, Ill. |
| DB |
Jakyri Moore |
Concordia Wisconsin |
Fr. |
Dallas, Texas |
| DB |
Alex Campbell |
St. Norbert |
Jr. |
Columbus, Wis. |
| DB |
Marc Thomas |
St. Norbert |
Jr. |
Chicago, Ill. |
| LB |
Travon Thomas |
Concordia Chicago |
So. |
Wachula, Fla. |
| LB |
Ben Kraft |
Concordia Wisconsin |
Jr. |
Wauwatosa, Wis. |
| LB |
Brendan Durr |
Eureka |
Sr. |
Washington, Ill. |
| LB |
Charles Kobe |
Lakeland |
Jr. |
Glendale, Wis. |
| LB |
Michael Creighton |
St. Norbert |
Sr. |
Bolingbrook, Ill. |
| LB |
Tyler McCabe |
St. Norbert |
Sr. |
Redwood City, Calif. |
| DL |
Martin Egbo |
Concordia Chicago |
Jr. |
Williamsburg, Va. |
| DL |
Paul Ball |
Concordia Wisconsin |
Sr. |
Kenosha, Wis. |
| DL |
Bryan Boockmeier |
St. Norbert |
Sr. |
Green Bay, Wis. |
| DL |
Kyle Kubacki |
Wisconsin Lutheran |
Jr. |
St. Francis, Wis. |
| RET |
Parker Lawrence |
St. Norbert |
So. |
Hortonville, Wis. |
| P |
Mason Kaschinske |
Concordia Wisconsin |
Sr. |
Fort Wayne, Ind. |
| PK |
Zach Heinen |
Concordia Wisconsin |
So. |
Sand Springs, Okla. |
| Pos. |
Honorable Mention |
School |
Yr. |
Hometown |
| PK |
Matthew Hylek |
Aurora |
Jr. |
Hobart, Ind. |
| DL |
Otis Watts |
Aurora |
Sr. |
Chicago, Ill. |
| WR |
Michael Boland |
Aurora |
Sr. |
Huntley, Ill. |
| DL |
Jared Pratt |
Aurora |
Jr. |
Clearwater, Fla. |
| PK |
Tanner Mateus |
Benedictine |
Sr. |
Belvidere, Ill. |
| DL |
Braxton White |
Benedictine |
Sr. |
Sugarland, Texas |
| RB |
Kiandre Morris |
Benedictine |
Gr. |
Mendota, Ill. |
| DB |
Brendon Baugh |
Concordia Chicago |
So. |
Tamarac, Fla. |
| RS |
Nick Crowell |
Concordia Wisconsin |
Fr. |
Las Vegas, Nev. |
| DL |
Jarod Ontiveros |
Concordia Wisconsin |
Sr. |
Taylor, Texas |
| WR |
Samuel Campbell Jr. |
Concordia Wisconsin |
Jr. |
Milwaukee, Wis. |
| WR |
Christian Booker |
Concordia Wisconsin |
Sr. |
Chicago, Ill. |
| LB |
Breven Palpallatoc |
Concordia Wisconsin |
Jr. |
Las Vegas, Nev. |
| DL |
Donovan Hathaway |
Eureka |
Sr. |
East Peoria, Ill. |
| WR |
Pierce Bradford |
Eureka |
Sr. |
Decatur, Ill. |
| DB |
Justin McMahon |
Lakeland |
So. |
Kyle, Texas |
| QB |
Robby Michael |
Lakeland |
Fr. |
Sheboygan, Wis. |
| OL |
Joe Pegues |
Lakeland |
Sr. |
Memphis, Tenn. |
| DB |
Garrick McGregor |
Rockford |
Sr. |
Lake Villa, Ill. |
| QB |
Jaelen Ray |
Rockford |
Jr. |
Kissimmee, Fla. |
| RB |
Jack Carey |
Rockford |
Jr. |
Fithian, Ill. |
| DL |
Miguel Delvalle Jr. |
Rockford |
Sr. |
Kirkland, Ill. |
| DL |
Parker Violette |
St. Norbert |
Sr. |
Palos Verdes, Calif. |
| RB |
John Trinh |
St. Norbert |
Sr. |
Skokie, Ill. |
| TE |
Tommy Hoeft |
St. Norbert |
Jr. |
Waukesha, Wis. |
| DL |
Isaac Sidon |
St. Norbert |
Sr. |
Green Bay, Wis. |
| RS |
Javier Murillo |
Wisconsin Lutheran |
Fr. |
San Antonio, Texas |
| LB |
Savon Goodwin |
Wisconsin Lutheran |
So. |
New Orleans, La. |
| OL |
Vinny Brim |
Wisconsin Lutheran |
So. |
Oconomowoc, Wis. |
| WR |
Carter Schneider |
Wisconsin Lutheran |
Jr. |
Jefferson, Wis. |