11 Ephs earn All-NESCAC; Bobby Maimaron Offensive Player of the Year, Mark Raymond COTY

HADLEY, MA — The 2021 New England Small College Athletic Conference champions Williams College Ephs had 11 players selected to the all-conference teams announced today, including nine First Team All-NESCAC selections.
 
Senior quarterback Bobby Maimaron (Duxbury, MA) was named the NESCAC Offensive Player of the Year, while head coach Mark Raymond was chosen as the 2021 NESCAC Coach of the Year.
 
Joining Maimaron on the NESCAC First Team Offense were running back Joel Nicholas (Buffalo, NY), tight end Justin Burke (Morristown, NJ), guard John Rooney (Yonkers, NY) and tackle John Freeman (Milton, MA). Selected First Team All-NESCAC Defense were linebacker T.J. Rothmann (Norwell, MA), defensive end Ian Devine (Pelham, NY) and cornerback Rocco Giandomenico (Walpole, MA). In addition, Ivan Shuran (Medina, OH) was named to the First Team as the placekicker.
 
Wide receiver Frank Stola (Northport, NY) and linebacker Coleston Smith (Ridgewood, NJ) were 2nd Team All-NESCAC selections.
 
"This group has been committed and focused since day one," Raymond said. "They remained that way throughout the season and, because of that, were able to achieve their goal of a special season. It is an extremely talented group of young men."
 

In addition to his Offensive Player of the Year honors, Maimaron was named First Team All-NESCAC for the first time. He was a 2nd Team selection in 2019, 2018 and 2017, when he was also named the NESCAC Rookie of the Year.
 
Maimaron is the fourth Eph to garner the Offensive Player of the Year honor and first since 2010. Fellow Ephs to have earned the honor are Joe Reardon (2001 & 2002), Patrick Lucey (2006 & 2007), and Patrick Moffitt (2010).
 
The Ephs' signal caller accounted for 2,116 yards in 2021, gaining 508 yards on the ground and 5 yards per carry, while completing 58.2 percent of his passes (89 of 153) for 1608 yards. He threw 15 touchdown passes and had only 5 interceptions. He also ran in 6 touchdowns.
 
"Obviously a well-deserved honor," Raymond said of Maimaron. "He was the engine that made our offense go. He was very good in both the run game and the passing game. His preparedness and leadership skills set a high standard for our entire team."
 
Nicholas led the NESCAC in scoring with 17 touchdowns, 16 on the ground where he gained 755 yards this season on 143 carries. He averaged 5.3 yards per carry and finished 3rd in the conference in rushing yards.
 
"He played his best in the biggest games," Raymond noted. "He had a great year. Joel is a tough, physical runner, but he did a great job without the ball as well."
 
Burke gained his second all-conference honor after being named a 2nd Team selection in 2017. He was third on the Ephs with 16 catches and second with 329 yards. He averaged an amazing 20.6 yards per reception and led the team with 4 TD receptions.
 
"Obviously just a great senior year after being banged up his junior year," Raymond said. "He was a big play guy for us in the passing game, but equally important to us in the running game as a blocker."
 
Rooney, a senior guard, and Freeman, a junior tackle, spearheaded an offensive line that allowed the Ephs to lead the conference in scoring (34.1 points per game), rushing (2070 yards and 5.0 yards per carry), TDs (41) and rushing touchdowns (26). Williams 26 rushing scores doubled the next team's output in the NESCAC. The Ephs allowed only 13 sacks over nine games this season.
 
"John Freeman had a great year for us," Raymond said. "He is a real physical run blocker and just has a very physical presence overall. John Rooney was the consummate captain, a great leader for us. He is a tough, physical inside blocker who set the tone for the offensive line from a leadership position."
 
The Williams defense led the NESCAC in points allowed (10.6) and touchdowns allowed (12). They were second in sacks with 24, and first in pass defense, allowing only 165.4 yards through the air per game.
 
Rothmann, a senior, earned his 4th all-conference honor, having been a First Team selection in 2018 and 2019 and a 2nd Team selection in 2017. He led the team in tackles with 50, with 33 of those being of the solo variety. He was second with 7 ½ tackles for loss and second with 4 ½ sacks. He also had one interception and two pass break-ups.
 
"He was so instrumental in what we did defensively, he was very versatile, playing three positions for us this season (ILB, OLB, S)," Raymond said. "His selflessness was inspirational, and he was another guy whose compete level set the standard. Just a great competitor."
 

Devine, a junior defensive end, led the Ephs with 5.5 sacks and tackles for loss with 11. He has 23 tackles total, 13 solo, blocked a kick, recovered a fumble and had one pass break-up.
 
"He had an exceptional season," Raymond said. "His effort and compete levels were super high. He played every down with everything he had and was a real dominant force for us on the D-line."
 
Giandomenico, a junior corner, led the NESCAC in pass break-ups with 12, averaging 1.5 per game. He finished the season with 30 tackles, 25 solo, and forced a fumble.
 
"Rocco is just a real testament to what hard work and preparedness can do for you," Raymond said. "He has developed into a really good corner, he can take guys on 1 on 1 in the pass game but is always very good against the run. His technique is outstanding."
 
On special teams, first year placekicker Shuran earned a spot on the First Team. A perfect 8 for 8 on field goals in 2021, Shuran was nearly perfect in PATs as well, making 37 of his 38 attempts and finishing 5th in the conference in scoring with 61 points. He had 55 kick-offs in 2021 and averaged 55 yards with 17 touchbacks.
 
"He was a game-changer for us," Raymond said. "Obviously he finished perfect in field goals, but his kick-offs were flawless as well. He was unflappable out there, he had a great season."
 
Stola, who will graduate from Williams with six career and single-season receiving records, was honored for the third time by the conference, having previously been selected a First Team All-NESCAC receiver in 2018 and 2019.
 
Stola finished 2021 tied for the Ephs' receptions lead with 21 despite missing two games, and led the team in receiving yards with 487. His 23.19 yards per reception was second in the NESCAC, and his three receiving touchdowns was second on the Ephs.
 
"Frank has had such a great career here," Raymond noted. "He battled some injuries this season but he came up biggest when we needed him most. Just a tremendous player."
 
Smith was also key player on the Ephs defense, finishing second on the team with 49 tackles, 6 solo and 23 assisted. He was third on the squad with 7 tackles for loss, and fourth with 2 ½ sacks. In addition, he had two pass break-ups.
 
"Coleston improved tremendously this year," Raymond said. "He was a strong, physical guy who was tough against the run. He made a huge impact as a part of the best defense in the league."
 
For Raymond, it was his second NESCAC Coach of the Year honor, having previously won in 2017. Since a winless first season in 2016, Raymond's Ephs have put together a 27-9 record (.750), culminating in the first-ever nine-win season in Williams history in 2021.
 
"It was an honor getting to know and play for Coach Raymond and his staff the past five years," senior captain John Rooney said. "The way he has changed our lives and the football program has been truly incredible. His impact on us goes far beyond the field, and I know I speak for the rest of the men in our recruiting class in saying we are eternally grateful for him bringing us together."
 
"For me, this is a staff award," Raymond said. "I am very fortunate to work with the men on our staff, they work incredibly hard and are great teachers."