(NORTH AURORA, Ill.)--Capital University head coach Jim Collins was named North Region Coach of the Year and 10 Crusaders earned All-North Region Honors from Football Gazette.
Collins led the Crusaders to a school-record 11-2 season and second-straight appearance in the NCAA Playoff National Quarterfinals, while earning Ohio Athletic Conference Coach of the Year honors for a third time in his 10 seasons at Capital.
Senior tight end Dylan Kelly (Hilliard/Hilliard Darby) along with juniors in wide receiver Derick Alexander (Grove City/Grove City), placekicker Matt Spitz (Xenia/Xenia) and defensive back James Starks (Toledo/Toledo St. John's) all were first team selections.
Kelly, the All-OAC first team tight end, had 46 catches for 778 yards and 10 touchdowns. In his first year at Capital, Alexander became just the third receiver in school history to post over 1,000 yards receiving with 1,093 yards and 11 touchdowns on his way to All-OAC first team honors. Spitz, a two-time All-OAC selection, bested his own school-record with 85 kicking points this season. Starks, an All-OAC first team pick, led the team with four interceptions and was second on the team with 73 tackles.
Thom Hausler (Hilliard/Hilliard Davidson) headlines the second team as a punt returner but was also honored as an honorable mention selection at defensive back. Hausler led the team in tackles and was the OAC's top punt returner.
Other All-North region second teamers include senior wide receiver Mike Niedzwiecki (Norwalk/Norwalk St. Paul) and junior linebacker Eric Andriacco (Cincinnati/Elder). Niedzwiecki had a team-high 12 receiving touchdowns with 894 yards on 64 receptions, while Andriacco was fourth on the team in tackles.
Seniors in quarterback Rocky Pentello (Columbus/Westerville South) along with defensive linemen Nick Bucci (Hudson/Hudson) and Anthony Floyd (Youngstown/Wilson) were each honorable mention selections.