Six Crusaders Named Preseason All-Patriot League

Jack Maliska

BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Six members of the Holy Cross football team have been named preseason All-Patriot League, it was announced at Patriot League media day. Junior placekicker John Macomber (Vienna, Va.), senior defensive tackle Jack Maliska (Winchendon, Mass.), senior strong safety Tom Mannix (Kenilworth, N.J.), senior wide receiver Gerald Mistretta (Brooklyn, N.Y.), junior linebacker Mike Tucker (Chester Springs, Pa.) and senior center Sean Whited (Canton, Ohio) were the six Holy Cross players selected to the squad, which was selected by the conference's head coaches and sports information directors.

As a team, Holy Cross was picked to finish in second place in the 2012 Patriot League preseason poll of head coaches and sports information directors, receiving 46 total points and one first place vote. Lehigh finished first in the poll with 60 points and 11 first place votes. The preseason rankings were rounded out by Colgate (third, 36 points), Georgetown (fourth, 33 points, two first place votes), Lafayette (fifth, 32 points) and Bucknell (sixth, 15 points).

Holy Cross is coming off a 2011 campaign in which it posted its seventh-straight winning record with an overall mark of 6-5 and a 4-2 record against Patriot League foes. The Crusaders, who return 17 starters and 42 letterwinners, are scheduled to open the 2012 season when they play host to New Hampshire at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 30.


2012 PRESEASON ALL-PATRIOT LEAGUE FOOTBALL TEAM
   
Offense
Pos., Name, School, Yr.
QB, Gavin McCarney, Colgate, Jr.    
RB, Zach Barket, Lehigh, Sr.    
RB, Tyler Smith, Bucknell, Sr.    
FB/HB, Travis Friend, Bucknell, Jr.    
WR, Gerald Mistretta, Holy Cross, Sr.    
WR, Mark Ross, Lafayette, Jr.    
WR, Ryan Spadola, Lehigh, Sr.    
TE, Jamel Haggins, Lehigh, Sr.    
OL, Ryan Risch, Colgate, Sr.    
OL, Mike Roland, Georgetown, So.    
OL, Andrew Scarmado, Colgate, Jr.    
OL, Mike Vuono, Lehigh, Sr.    
OL, Sean Whited, Holy Cross, Sr.    
RS, Jeremy Moore, Georgetown, Sr.    
PK, John Macomber, Holy Cross, Jr.    
        
Defense
Pos., Name, School, Yr.
DL, Sajjad Chagani, Lehigh    Sr.
DL, Rick Lyster, Lafayette    Sr.
DL, Jack Maliska, Holy Cross    Sr.
DL, Nick Womack, Fordham    Sr.
LB, Mike Martin, Fordham    Sr.
LB, Robert McCabe, Georgetown    Sr.
LB, Beau Traber, Bucknell    Sr.
LB, Mike Tucker, Holy Cross    Jr.
DB, Bryan Andrews, Lehigh    Sr.
DB, Jeremy Moore, Georgetown    Sr.
DB, Tom Mannix, Holy Cross    Sr.
DB, Billy O'Brien, Lehigh    Sr.
P, Patrick Murray, Fordham    Sr.

Offensive Player of the Year: Ryan Spadola, Lehigh, Sr., WR
Defensive Player of the Year: Robert McCabe, Georgetown, Sr., LB



2012 PRESEASON PATRIOT LEAGUE FOOTBALL POLL