MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Late Thursday evening D3Football.com released the names of this year’s all-region teams. Earning the programs first ever East Region Offensive Player of the Year honor was senior quarterback and MAC offensive Player of the Year
Tanner Kelly.
Kelly, who was also named a first team all-east region selection, was joined by classmate and standout wide receiver
Nate Romig. Senior cornerback
Brett Gaul was also selected as a second team all-east region honoree as well. All three honors are the first in the careers of Kelly, Romig, and Gaul. Kelly’s Offensive Player of the Year selection is the first in program history.
As the Lions starting quarterback Kelly had a sensational season in helping the Lions to the NCAA Division III tournament Quarterfinals for only the fourth time in program history. The Clearfield native threw for a conference and career best 3,030 total yards and 21 touchdowns. He also rushed for an additional 337 yards and six scores. Kelly’s passing efficiency of 155.4 was ranked in the top-10 in the nation. On the year Kelly completed 68% (244-for-359) of his passes while only giving up a career low five interceptions.
For Romig his senior season was a record setting one as the Daniel Boone grad set both the all-time scoring record and touchdown receptions record at Albright. In his final year with the Lions, Romig totaled 1,314 yards which is the second most yards in a season in program history. Totaling 91 catches in 13 games played, Romig tallied 12 touchdown receptions and averaged over 103 receiving yards per game.
Also having his best year in the red and white was Gaul who led the Lions defense in interceptions, and ranked in the top-10 in the Middle Atlantic Conference. The first team all-conference selection tallied four INT’s on the season and ranked sixth on the team in tackles with 49.5. He was also a team leader in blocked kicks with a career best five and broke up eight pass attempts, while also defending an additional 12 passes.
The D3Football.com all-region team selections began in 2005 and are nominated and voted on by Division III Sports Information Directors and D3Football.com staff. A total of 181 nominations were submitted and 76 players were named to this year’s all-region teams.
This year’s D3Football.com All-American selections will be named prior to the start of the 2009 Division III Football Championship game (Stagg Bowl) on Saturday, December 19, 2009. Fans can tune into the game on ESPN2 to see the announcement of this year’s All-Americans. All three honorees from Albright are now eligible for the All-American teams.
Click here for entire D3Football.com All-East Region Release