Northampton's Boyko among the Lehigh football players honored by the ECAC

http://blogs.mcall.com/groller/ FROM KEITH GROLLER Northampton graduate Billy Boyko had an outstanding senior season at Lehigh. Coach Andy Coen called him the best defensive player in the league. Now he's being recognized for his outstanding play by the ECAC, being named to its FCS All-Star Team. Congrats to Boyko and offensive lineman Mike Vuono and nose guard Sajjad Chagani. This is all straight from a Lehigh University release: Three Lehigh football players were named to the ECAC Football Championship Subdivision All-Star team announced Monday evening. A trio of seniors: offensive lineman Mike Vuono, nose guard Sajjad Chagani and linebacker Billy Boyko were named to the team on the heels of Lehigh’s third consecutive 10-win season. All three Lehigh honorees were first team all-Patriot League selections in 2012. Vuono is named an ECAC all-star for the second straight year as he was named to the second team in 2011. This year’s ECAC FCS all-stars consisted of one team with 30 student-athletes. The most experienced member of Lehigh’s offensive line, Vuono started all 11 games for the Mountain Hawks. He started six games at right tackle before moving inside to start five games at right guard. Vuono helped lead an offensive line that ranked among the national leaders in fewest sacks allowed while helping churn out close to 130 yards per game on the ground. A team captain, Chagani was a force on the defensive line for the Mountain Hawks, registering 45 tackles from his nose guard spot while also tying for the team lead with seven sacks. Chagani made nine tackles for loss in 2012 and also record a forced fumble and a blocked extra point. One of the defensive leaders for Lehigh, Boyko was the Mountain Hawks’ top tackler in 2012 with 104 total stops. He made three tackles for loss, registered one sack and forced two fumbles. Boyko was named Patriot League, ECAC and Sports Network national Defensive Player of the Week honors after a 14-tackle performance in Lehigh’s win at Liberty, which also included Boyko’s first career interception, which he returned 39 yards for a touchdown. Boyko had five double-digit tackle games in 2012 highlighted by a career-high 17 in a November win at Holy Cross. The ECAC also announced its major individual awards Monday evening. Stony Brook running back Miguel Maysonet was named Offensive Player of the Year, while Georgetown linebacker Robert McCabe earned Defensive Player of the Year honors. The Rookie of the Year awards went to Villanova quarterback John Robertson and Delaware linebacker Jeff Williams. The Mountain Hawks were one of just four teams in the FCS to post a 10-1 record in the regular season. Lehigh won its first nine games in 2012 and capped its season with a fifth straight victory over rival Lafayette.