Football Banquet A Success
12 Players Honored With Awards

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.—The 31^st annual Lycoming football banquet was held at The Genetti Hotel on Saturday night. Nearly 300 people attended and 12 Warriors received awards for their 2006 performances.

Junior linebacker Mike DiPlacido (Perkasie, PA/ Penn Ridge) received the Warriors highest honor as the team’s most valuable player. DiPlacido led Lycoming with 41 solo tackles and 19 assisted tackles. He recorded 8.5 tackles for loss and forced one fumble. DiPlacido returns with a talented crew of linebackers in 2007.

For the second time, senior Tony Kopp (St. Mary’s, PA/ St. Mary’s) was named co-offensive player of the year. Senior quarterback Glenn Smith (Watsontown, PA/ Warrior Run) shared the honor with Kopp. Smith threw for 1,541 yards, ran for 292 yards and scored 14 touchdowns in 2006. Kopp, who was co-offensive player of the year in 2004, caught 35 passes for 528 yards and four touchdowns in 2006. Kopp was named second team All-MAC this season.

Co-defensive player of the year awards went to senior defensive backs Tim Mahoney (Southampton, PA/ William Tennant) and Ryan Repko (Perkiomenville, PA/ Boyertown). Mahoney recorded 58 tackles and recovered three fumbles on the season, while Repko had 49 tackles, four interceptions and 7 pass break-ups. Mahoney was named second team All-MAC this season.

Special teams player of the year went to sophomore kicker Mike Monastra (Havertown, PA/ Haverford), who led the Warriors with 46 points. Monastra kicked 10 field goals, including a 43-yarder and was named first-team All-Conference by the MAC. Offensive lineman of the year was awarded to senior center Jim Williams (Slatington, PA/ Northern Lehigh) who was also named first-team All-Conference following the season.

Junior defensive end Ryan Yaple (Stillwater, PA/ Northwest) walked away with defensive lineman of the year. Yaple had 30 tackles, including 5.5 tackles for loss and 3 sacks in 2006.

Offensive and defensive most improved player awards went to sophomore offensive lineman Pat Taylor (Philadelphia, PA/ Father Judge) and junior defensive back Vreeland Wood (Hamburg, PA/ Hamburg).

Junior linebacker Dustin Heintzelman (Herndon, PA/ Line Mountain) earned the Calistri Award, given to the Warrior who best exemplifies a “team player.” Senior offensive lineman Chris Knipe (Cogan Station, PA/ Williamsport) was named the Dave Busey Award winner for his excellence in both the classroom and on the field.


                                             2006 Football Seniors