MAC hands out top honors to Haupt, Collins, Bukasa
CHESTER — Widener quarterback Chris Haupt and head coach Isaac Collins picked up a couple of impressive honors Wednesday.
Haupt was named MAC offensive Player of the Year while Collins was selected as the conference Coach of the Year in a vote of the league’s coaches.
Haupt and Collins were two of the 15 honors awarded to the ninth- ranked Pride ( 9- 0), who open NCAA Division III tournament play at home Saturday against Bridewater State.
Joining Haupt on the first team offense were wide receiver/ retuner Anthony Davis ( Chester All- Delco), tight end Dom DePasquale and offensive lineman Mike Pacitti. Defensive end Chad Gravinese, linebacker Joe Joe Wojcechowski, safety Colin Masterson ( Ridley All- Delco) and kicker James McFadden also earned first- team honors.
Linebacker Dylan Ditmer and cornerback Nick Rodriguez were named to the second team, while center Andrew Philpott, guard Gerry Pacitti and linebacker Jamal Dorsey received honorable mention.
Lycoming middle linebacker Kabongo Bukasa ( Academy Park All- Delco) was named the defensive Player of the Year. Teammate Nate Oropollo ( Cardinal O’Hara) was named t o the first- t eam defense. Delaware Valley running back Kyle Schuberth ( Monsignor Bonner) also earned first- t eam honors.
Haupt has enjoyed one of the finest careers in Widener history. He holds the program record for passing yards ( 8,921) and touchdown passes ( 83) in a career. Haupt has thrown for 2,841 yards and 33 touchdowns. He ranks third in Division III in touchdown passes, 10th in passing yards per game ( 315.67) and 10th in total offense ( 333.0).
“I have to give it up to everyone around me, the coaches, skill guys and the line,” Haupt said of his award. “If you follow the games, a lot of it is getting the ball in the right player’s hands. You take a guy like Anthony Davis. You get the ball to him and he can do some pretty amazing things. It’s not just me, it’s the entire offense. The line giving me the time to find the open guys. It is a personal award, but I like to think of it as a team award.”
Collins has guided the Pride to a 23- 7 record in three seasons, including the first undefeated regular- season since 2001.
Davis leads the MAC in touchdown receptions ( 14), scoring ( 9.6 points per game), kickoff ( 24.3), punt return ( 13.1) and all- purpose yards per game ( 178.6).
Bukasa, a junior, is seventh in the league in tackles per game ( 7.8). He was in on 70 stops, including 28 solo tackles. Oropollo led the MAC in quarterback sacks ( 10) and was second in tackles for loss ( 16). Schuberth finished third in the conference in rushing ( 93 yards per game) and tied for second in scoring ( 8.4 points per game).