By Framingham State athletics
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FRAMINGHAM – Framingham State sophomore running back Devaun Ford has been named the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) Offensive Player of the Year, freshman guard Bryan Lawton has been selected the Offensive Lineman of the Year, senior defensive end Joshua Onujiogu has been named the MASCAC Defensive Player of the Year and freshman Dylan DeWolfe has been named the Defensive Rookie of the Year, while head coach Tom Kelley has been tabbed the MASCAC Coach of the Year as the Rams landed 13 players on the 2021 Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) Football All-Conference Teams.
Joining Onujiogu on the All-MASCAC first team defense are junior defensive back Cully Curran (Arlington) and junior defensive lineman Gerell Boyce (Dorchester), while Ford and Lawton are joined on the first team offense by junior center Jack Canney (Natick), sophomore wide receiver E.J. Nichols (Burlington Township, NJ) and junior quarterback Nicolas Goffredo (Hyde Park, Mass.).
Freshman defensive back Tishay Johnson Jr. (Windsor, Conn.), graduate student linebacker Anthony Behonick (Rutland) and junior linebacker Nick Ashley (Worcester) were named to the All-MASCAC second team defense.
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Junior offensive guard Devante Offutt (Brockton.) and freshman place kicker Matthew Farley (Middleboro) were selected to the second team offense along with Ford who was recognized as a return specialist.
Tom Kelley earns his fourth MASCAC Coach of the Year honor after returning to the sideline for the 2021 season. Kelley guided the Rams to an 8-2 record and a perfect 8-0 mark in the MASCAC. The Rams received the MASCAC’s automatic bid to the 2021 NCAA Tournament and will face Muhlenberg in the first round.
Ford, the 2019 MASCAC Offensive Rookie of the Year, earns Offensive Player of the Year after rushing for 805 yards on 151 carries with 10 touchdowns. Ford also made 32 catches on the year for 395 yards with four scores. Ford ran behind an offensive line anchored by Lawton. In his first season with the Rams, Lawton was key to the Rams finishing the year second in the MASCAC in total offense (4050 yards) and yards per game (405.0).
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Onujiogu repeats as Defensive Player of the Year after leading the Rams with 62 tackles including 23 for a loss with 12.5 sacks. He recorded a pair of forced fumbles with one recovery and added an interception.
DeWolfe finished a solid rookie season with 52 total tackles including 35 solo with a 10 for a loss, a sack, and a pass breakup. The 2021 Ram defense led the league with 32 sacks and allowed just 207 total yards per game including just 63 on the ground.
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Photo courtesy