MILTON, Mass. - Five senior football players from five different New England Football Conference (NEFC) teams, including Curry College placekicker Matthew Alksninis (Mansfield, Mass./Mansfield), have been named to the recently released D3 Senior Classic Pre-Season All-America Team.

Westfield State College punter Chris Stengel (Forest Hill, Md./North Harford) is a selection to the first team defense in the North Division. Stengel led the NEFC in punts with 75 in 2009 for a 40.2 average per punt, and 26 kicks placed inside the opponents’ 20-yard line.

Three players were named to the North second teams. On offense, Bridgewater State College running back Justin Fuller (Berkley, Mass./Somerset) and Alksninis were picked, while on defense Worcester State College’s Tyler Russell (Princeton, Mass./Wachusett), a linebacker, was named.

Fuller was the third leading rusher in the Conference with a 137.5 yard average per game.  He was second in the Conference in scoring with 11.4 points scored per game.

Alksninis converted 13 of 25 field goal attempts and all 35 of his point after touchdown tries.  He led all NEFC kickers in scoring at 6.7 points per game and was sixth overall in NEFC scoring.

Worcester State College linebacker Tyler Russell (Weymouth, Mass./Weymouth) was second in the Conference in tackles, averaging 12.2 per game.  He had 71 solo tackles and 51 assists.  Russell also recovered three fumbles.

U.S. Coast Guard Academy strong safety Chris Costello is an honorable mention pick on the North squad at defensive back.  Costello led the Bears with five interceptions last season, and was second in the NEFC and ninth nationally with .71 interceptions per game. (courtesy of NEFC Publicity Director)

Click here to read the full D3 Senior Classic release