Williamsport, Pa. – Lycoming College football’s season-turning run of five straight victories had plenty to do with the grit and guile of the program’s athletes, but it also had just as much to do with gridiron talent.  That notion wasn’t lost on the Middle Atlantic Conference this week as the Warriors earned four All-MAC First Team selections and a pair Second Team All-MAC honors after voting at the annual coaches’ meeting.

Senior offensive lineman Sean Murphy (Philadelphia, Pa./North Catholic), senior defensive lineman Mike Kozak (Drexel Hill, Pa./Monsignor Bonner), senior linebacker Luke Sterling (Lehighton, Pa./Lehighton), and junior defensive back Matt Murdock (Elysburg, Pa./Southern Columbia) all claimed a spot on the first team.  Senior Fullback Matt Mangold (Marlton, N.J./Cherokee) and senior defensive end Tim Hartingh (Willow Grove, Pa./Upper Moreland) both garnered second team accolades.

Murphy, Lycoming’s lone offensive first team representative, had the important chore of protecting quarterback Glenn Smith’s blind-side, a job in which he excelled.  Few defensive linemen could make their way past the six-foot four-inch 290-pound left tackle as he combined excellent strength with good footwork on the edge.  The left side of the line routinely led the charge in running game with Murphy kicking defenders outside the line of pursuit or using his power to block them down into the middle.  His efforts had much to do with the Warriors’ outstanding opening-game rushing performance when Lycoming burned Juniata College for 286 yards on the ground including a Lycoming individual season-best 176-yard outburst by tailback John Seese.

Undoubtedly the emotional leader no matter the side of the ball, Kozak finished the 2005 campaign with a trio of spirited performances in which he collected 30 total tackles from his defensive tackle position.  He played his best ball of the season in the penultimate game at Albright College.  With the momentum shifted heavily in the Lions’ favor, Kozak recovered his own forced fumbled of an Albright runner in the second half that reenergized the Warriors as they moved on towards victory.  Not only did Kozak lead the squad with 13 total tackles against the Lions, but he did so with the Warriors playing a three-man defensive front for the first time in the season.  The senior captain capped his final year in blue and gold with 54 total tackles, 12 stops for a loss including 2.5 sacks, forced two fumbles, and one recovery.

Sterling adds this season’s conference honor to a pair of other all-league accolades including a 2003 All-MAC First Team selection.  But this year’s conference top team recognition might be his most deserving.  After suffering an injury that forced him to miss a few contests early in the season, the senior middle linebacker worked overtime to get himself back on the field.  His hard work paid off as he returned to the field and helped shore up the middle of Lycoming’s defense, a unit that surrendered only 14.4 points during the Warriors’ current five-game winning streak.  He registered double-digit tackles in four games including arguably his best match of the season in the year-ending duel against Susquehanna.  Sterling man-handled the Crusader front line for 11 tackles, mostly against opposing running backs who managed only 53 total yards rushing on 41 carries.  Sterling finished 2005 with 60 total tackles, four of which came behind the line of scrimmage, and a pair of passes defended.

Murdock, a second team special teams’ performer last season, backed up his fine 2004 campaign with a dual-edged attack in 2005.  Not only did he remain one of the conference’s most feared punt return men, but he developed into a game-changing cornerback with the ability to shutdown an opponent’s top receiving threat.  Murdock scored what proved to be the game’s winning touchdown against Lebanon Valley College in late October.  Amidst the muck and mud of atrocious field conditions in Annville, Pa., Murdock collected a fumble forced by defensive lineman Dave VanNort and darted 31 yards down the sideline towards the paint grass in the Flying Dutchman end zone.  The junior multi-purpose star finished the year with 38 total tackles, a trio of interceptions, 10 passes defended, a pair of fumble recoveries, and one forced effort.  He also returned 25 punts for 145 yards.

In today’s era of high-powered passing offenses, the fullback is left looking from the outside in on many occasions.  But in Williamsport, a bruising lead-blocker is key to the offense’s success.  Enter Mangold, the Warriors’ hard-nosed fullback known for smacking opposing linebackers head-on in an attempt to open holes for his closely following running back.  Mangold was instrumental in the reemergence of Lycoming’s rushing attack near the end of the season.  Playing and starting each game this season, Mangold cleared the way for a running game that averaged 140.2 yards during the team’s final five-game run.  The senior captain did his fair share carrying the ball as well marked by 32 rushes for 125 yards including a three-yard scoring burst against Juniata College.

Hartingh came on strong right out of preseason camp this season, and played a huge factor in the defensive line’s success.  With the unit reeling due to injury and inconsistent play in the early going, Hartingh solidified his spot on the edge and dominated opposing offensive linemen.  He put himself on the map with an outstanding 12-tackle performance against Widener University in which he recorded three tackles for a loss of 26 yards including two sacks that accounted for 20 of the yards lost.  Hartingh led this year’s team with a half a dozen sacks and tied for a squad-best 12 stops behind the line of scrimmage.  He also knocked own four pass attempts.