MILWAUKEE, Wis. (naccsports.org) --- The Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC) has announced its major award winners and all-conference teams for the 2023 football season.
Aurora University senior linebacker
Marcellus Romious (Belleville, Ill.) was named NACC Defensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive season, while teammate
Ian Luyando (Guadalajara, Mexico) - a junior quarterback - was named NACC Offensive Player of the Year, Rockford University linebacker
Joey Alvarez (Rockford, Ill.) has been named NACC Freshman of the Year, and the Aurora University coaching staff led by
Don Beebe has been named NACC Coaching Staff of the Year.
NACC Offensive Player of the Year --- Ian Luyando, jr., QB, Aurora University
In 10 regular-season games, Luyando threw for 2,492 yards and 39 touchdowns while completing 65.5 percent (169-of-258) of his passes. He also ran for 491 yards and three touchdowns on 93 carries.
Luyando leads all NACC quarterbacks in completion percentage, passing efficiency (191.9), passing touchdowns, points responsible for (252), and yards per passing attempt (9.66) and ranks second in passing yards and yards per completion (14.75) and third in total offense (297.9 ypg). He currently ranks fifth nationally in passing TDs, seventh in passing efficiency, and 12th in yards per attempt.
Luyando threw for 300 yards three times and six touchdowns three times while posting a streak of six straight games where he was responsible for at least four touchdowns. Luyando topped 100 yards both on the ground and through the air in Aurora's first two games, then fell two rushing yards short of accomplishing the feat (243 passing, 98 rushing) in a win over St. Norbert.
This marks the fourth consecutive year that an Aurora student-athlete has been named NACC Offensive Player of the Year. Aurora trails only Lakeland (five) in terms of total honorees all-time.
NACC Defensive Player of the Year --- Marcellus Romious, sr., LB, Aurora University
Romious has been the unquestioned leader of the Aurora defense. In 11 games, he has posted a team-high 79 tackles with 7.5 tackles-for-loss (five solo), two sacks, three interceptions, three pass break-ups, four quarterback hurries and one forced fumble. His 42 solo stops also leads the Spartans.Â
Romious had a season-high 14 tackles (five solo) in the regular-season finale against Concordia Wisconsin - a 23-0 victory that gave the Spartans sole possession of the NACC title. He averages 7.2 tackles per game while leading an Aurora defense that ranks 17th nationally in total defense (250.5 ypg), sixth in scoring defense (10.1 ppg), and 24th in rushing defense (83.5 ypg).
Romious is the second student-athlete to capture multiple NACC Football Defensive Player of the Year awards. Benedictine's Ben Lockton shared the award in 2011 and won it outright in 2012. This is also the fifth time an Aurora student-athlete has captured the award - a league-best total.
NACC Freshman of the Year --- Joey Alvarez, LB, Rockford University
Alvarez led Rockford with 84 tackles, including 47 solo stops, despite playing in just played in eight of the Regents' 10 games this season. He led all NACC players in tackles per game with 10.5, while ranking second in solo tackles with 5.9 stops per contest.
Alvarez also posted 5.5 tackles for loss, 1.0 sack, one interception, four pass break-ups, and a fumble recovery.
He had at least eight tackles in five of his eight games, with a season-high 18 (eight solo) against Benedictine - a game in which he also had his lone interception of the season. Alvarez also had an exceptional game against St. Norbert this season, posting 17 tackles, including 14 solo stops, with 1.5 tackles for loss and a sack.
Alvarez is the second Rockford football student-athlete to be named NACC Freshman of the Year. Seth Swinehart shared the award in 2011.
NACC Coaching Staff of the Year --- Aurora University (Don Beebe, head coach)
Under the direction of fifth-year head coach
Don Beebe, the Spartans posted a 10-0 record during the regular season and won a fifth-straight NACC title with an 8-0 mark. The unbeaten regular season is just the second in program history (1992).
After posting a 20-7 win over Coe last weekend, Aurora has advanced to the second round of the NCAA Division III Football Championship for the second consecutive season.
The Spartans lead all NACC programs in completion percentage (.659), first downs (269), fumbles recovered (12), kickoff returns (22.78), kickoff return defense (13.78), passes intercepted (19), passing yards allowed (166.9), passing yards per completion (14.32), punt returns (23.5 ypr), rushing defense (83.5 ypg), rushing offense (249.6 ypg), scoring offense (54.9 ppg), scoring defense (10.1 ppg), passing efficiency (183.55), passing efficiency defense (79.41), total offense (508.6 ypg), total defense (250.5 ypg), turnover margin (+1.27), and turnovers gained (31), and ranks second in net punting (33.86), passing offense (259.0 ypg), red zone offense (0.800), and team tackles for loss (8.1 per game).
Nationally, Aurora ranks in the top 10 in punt returns (second), pass efficiency defense (second), scoring offense (third), punt return defense (fourth), turnovers gained (fourth), kickoff return defense (fifth), scoring defense (sixth), fumbles recovered (seventh, 12), passing efficiency (eighth), total offense (eighth), first downs (ninth), and interceptions (ninth).
Beebe is assisted by
Ryan Gehlert (Co-Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks),
Troy Sheppard (Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers),
J.T. Zimmerman (Co-Defensive Coordinator/Special Teams Coordinator/Defensive Line),
Joe Thorgesen (Running Backs),
Jeremiah Chaney (Offensive Line), and
Larry Sheppard (Defensive Backs) and graduate assistants
Matt Piasecki and
Dylan Paul.
This is the fourth consecutive year (no honors were given in Spring 2021) that Beebe or a Beebe-led staff has been recognized by their peers. Aurora now has a league-best six honors all-time.
All-Conference Teams Announced
League champion Aurora was well represented on this year's All-Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference football teams with a league-leading 14 selections, including a NACC-best 13 first-teamers. St. Norbert was next with 12 selections with four landing on the first team, while Concordia Wisconsin earned eight picks overall and three first-teamers.
Benedictine received six all-league selections, followed by Eureka with five, Wisconsin Lutheran with four, Rockford with three, and Concordia Chicago and Lakeland with two apiece. Of those with first-team honorees, Eureka had three, Benedictine and Wisconsin Lutheran had two each, and Lakeland had one.
| 2023 All-Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference Football Team |
| Offensive Player of the Year - Ian Luyando, Jr., QB, Aurora |
| Defensive Player of the Year - Marcellus Romious, Sr., LB, Aurora |
| Freshman of the Year - Joey Alvarez, LB, Rockford |
| Coaching Staff of the Year - Aurora University (Don Beebe, head coach) |
| Pos. |
First Team |
School |
Yr. |
Hometown |
| QB |
Ian Luyando |
Aurora |
Jr. |
Guadalajara, Mexico |
| RB |
Jhe'Quay Chretin |
Aurora |
Sr. |
Bastrop, Texas |
| RB |
Ben Bernabei |
Eureka |
Sr. |
Peru, Ill. |
| WR |
Trey Madsen |
Aurora |
Sr. |
Montgomery, Ill. |
| WR |
Ty Pruett |
Aurora |
Jr. |
Cedar Creek, Texas |
| WR |
Sebastian Hill |
Eureka |
Jr. |
Pekin, Ill. |
| WR |
Emmitt Hawkins |
Wisconsin Lutheran |
Fr. |
Cudahy, Wis. |
| TE |
Trevion Green |
Wisconsin Lutheran |
Sr. |
Miami, Fla. |
| OL |
Matt Kickel |
Aurora |
Sr. |
Bolingbrook, Ill. |
| OL |
Jalen Cole |
Aurora |
Sr. |
Channahon, Ill. |
| OL |
Michael Shine |
Benedictine |
Gr. |
Chicago, Ill. |
| OL |
Hugo Garza |
Eureka |
Sr. |
Arcola, Ill. |
| OL |
Lucas Tappy |
St. Norbert |
So. |
Iron Mountain, Mich. |
| DB |
Robbie Peterson |
Aurora |
Sr. |
Sarasota, Fla. |
| DB |
Ben Slatcoff |
Aurora |
Sr. |
Valparaiso, Ind. |
| DB |
Evan Lischka |
Concordia Wisconsin |
Sr. |
Manitowoc, Wis. |
| DB |
Jayson Wilder |
Lakeland |
Sr. |
Milwaukee, Wis. |
| LB |
Marcellus Romious |
Aurora |
Sr. |
Belleville, Ill. |
| LB |
Justice Kaneta |
Concordia Wisconsin |
Jr. |
Brighton, Colo. |
| LB |
Sam Barnett |
St. Norbert |
Jr. |
Trempealeau, Wis. |
| LB |
Kyle Santos |
St. Norbert |
Jr. |
Big Bend, Wis. |
| DL |
Jaylen Jordan |
Aurora |
Jr. |
Frankfort, Ill. |
| DL |
Otis Watts |
Aurora |
Sr. |
Chicago, Ill. |
| DL |
Brian Pritt |
Benedictine |
Jr. |
Chicago, Ill. |
| DL |
Daylan Lujan |
St. Norbert |
Jr. |
Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. |
| RET |
James Mautino |
Aurora |
Sr. |
Spring Valley, Ill. |
| P |
Luke Droegmueller |
Concordia Wisconsin |
Fr. |
Cumming, Ga. |
| PK |
Matthew Hylek |
Aurora |
Sr. |
Hobart, Ind. |
| Pos. |
Second Team |
School |
Yr. |
Hometown |
| QB |
Jaelen Ray |
Rockford |
Jr. |
Kissimmee, Fla. |
| RB |
Gregory Hoard |
Benedictine |
Gr. |
Chicago, Ill. |
| RB |
Ashar Thomas |
Concordia Wisconsin |
Sr. |
Punta Gorda, Fla. |
| RB |
Owen Kudick |
St. Norbert |
Sr. |
Green Bay, Wis. |
| WR |
Nick Shelton |
Benedictine |
Sr. |
Stickney, Ill. |
| WR |
Jayce Levy |
Concordia Chicago |
Jr. |
Davenport, Iowa |
| WR |
Da'Quan McIntosh |
Rockford |
Jr. |
Broward County, Fla. |
| TE |
Justin Hocker |
Benedictine |
Sr. |
West Chicago, Ill. |
| OL |
Khristian Duran |
Concordia Chicago |
Jr. |
Joliet, Ill. |
| OL |
Andrew Elmhorst |
Concordia Wisconsin |
Jr. |
Manawa, Wis. |
| OL |
Jerrell Carey |
Concordia Wisconsin |
Sr. |
Chicago, Ill. |
| OL |
Nathan Krizan |
St. Norbert |
Sr. |
Shawano, Wis. |
| OL |
Hunter Hucek |
St. Norbert |
Jr. |
Green Bay, Wis. |
| DB |
Ernesto Ramirez |
Aurora |
Sr. |
Minooka, Ill. |
| DB |
Gio Nowotarski |
Concordia Wisconsin |
Jr. |
Reading, Pa. |
| DB |
Jack Arnett |
Eureka |
Sr. |
Princeville, Ill. |
| DB |
Logan Dorner |
St. Norbert |
Sr. |
Green Bay, Wis. |
| LB |
Tyler Walker |
Benedictine |
Sr. |
Peoria, Ill. |
| LB |
Brendan Durr |
Eureka |
Sr. |
Washington, Ill. |
| LB |
Joey Alvarez |
Rockford |
Fr. |
Rockford, Ill. |
| LB |
Savon Goodwin |
Wisconsin Lutheran |
Jr. |
New Orleans, La. |
| DL |
Marquiton Sellers |
Concordia Wisconsin |
So. |
Winnsboro, La. |
| DL |
Jake Leclaire |
Lakeland |
Sr. |
Stuart, Fla. |
| DL |
Justin Benoit |
St. Norbert |
Jr. |
De Pere, Wis. |
| DL |
Kyle Kubacki |
Wisconsin Lutheran |
Sr. |
St. Francis, Wis. |
| RET |
Austin Miller |
St. Norbert |
Jr. |
Combined Locks, Wis. |
| P |
Mason Levake |
St. Norbert |
Fr. |
Lake Mills, Wis. |
| PK |
Dalton Moyse |
St. Norbert |
So. |
Hiram, Ga. |
| Pos. |
Honorable Mention |
School |
Yr. |
Hometown |
| DB |
Conner Nordmeyer |
Aurora |
Sr. |
Lindenhurst, Ill. |
| DL |
Joel Coston |
Aurora |
Jr. |
Fishers, Ind. |
| WR |
Michael Boland |
Aurora |
Sr. |
Huntley, Ill. |
| DL |
Isaiah Perrin |
Aurora |
Sr. |
Lake Villa, Ill. |
| PK |
Liam McCarthy |
Benedictine |
Sr. |
Orland Park, Ill. |
| DL |
Jack Hayden |
Benedictine |
Fr. |
Woodstock, Ill. |
| WR |
Nathan Rillo |
Benedictine |
Sr. |
Jasper, Ind. |
| DB |
Tommy O'Malley |
Benedictine |
Sr. |
Naperville, Ill. |
| RB |
Joron Brown |
Concordia Chicago |
Fr. |
St. Joseph, Mich. |
| DB |
Demari Grant |
Concordia Chicago |
So. |
Chicago, Ill. |
| QB/S/P |
Troy Pratley |
Concordia Chicago |
Jr. |
St. Joseph, Mich. |
| RET |
Nick Crowell |
Concordia Wisconsin |
So. |
Las Vegas, Nev. |
| DB |
Justin Cabrera |
Concordia Wisconsin |
Sr. |
San Antonio, Texas |
| DB |
Se'Korrey Thomas |
Concordia Wisconsin |
Fr. |
Punta Gorda, Fla. |
| LB |
Breven Palpallatoc |
Concordia Wisconsin |
Sr. |
Las Vegas, Nev. |
| LB |
Ben Kraft |
Concordia Wisconsin |
Sr. |
Wauwatosa, Wis. |
| DL |
Chase Coots |
Concordia Wisconsin |
Sr. |
Round Rock, Texas |
| RB |
Pierre Summers III |
Concordia Wisconsin |
Jr. |
Columbus, Ga. |
| LB |
Austin Hopkins |
Eureka |
Sr. |
Arcola, Ill. |
| DB |
Shamond Oliver |
Lakeland |
So. |
Phenix City, Ala. |
| LB |
Karlis Ozols |
Lakeland |
Sr. |
Fond du Lac, Wis. |
| QB |
Robby Michael |
Lakeland |
So. |
Sheboygan, Wis. |
| OL |
Zach Welnetz |
Lakeland |
Sr. |
Kiel, Wis. |
| P |
Kaden Finnestad |
Rockford |
So. |
Belvidere, Ill. |
| RET |
William Key |
Rockford |
So. |
Rockford, Ill. |
| DL |
Chancellor Bradley Jr. |
Rockford |
So. |
Humble, Texas |
| TE |
Curtis Hosea |
Rockford |
Jr. |
Hobart, Ind. |
| RB |
Delton Zuleger |
St. Norbert |
Sr. |
Schofield, Wis. |
| WR |
Paul Bageanis |
St. Norbert |
Sr. |
Rockford, Ill. |
| WR |
Mitch Van Vooren |
St. Norbert |
Sr. |
Marinette, Wis. |
| QB |
Peyton Lyon |
St. Norbert |
So. |
Oshkosh, Wis. |
| PK |
Arnulfo Ortega |
Wisconsin Lutheran |
Jr. |
Laredo, Texas |
| RET |
Jamil Gordon |
Wisconsin Lutheran |
So. |
San Marcos, Texas |
| DB |
Xavion Allen |
Wisconsin Lutheran |
Jr. |
Royse City, Texas |
| QB |
Bryce Barbian |
Wisconsin Lutheran |
So. |
Cudahy, Wis. |
| LB |
Layson Handwork |
Wisconsin Lutheran |
So. |
Merritt Island, Fla. |