Brian Murtagh of Wayland, Mass., Named to 25th Annual Steve "Merc" Morris Football All-Star Team

2016 Jan 11

Seven WPI student-athletes were named to the 25th annual Steve "Merc" Morris All-Star Team, including Brian Murtagh, as selected by the eight sports information directors of Worcester County who sponsor football.

Zach Grasis, who also claimed first team honors in 2013, racked up 990 yards on 259 carries with five 100-plus yard games and nine rushing touchdowns. The running back was the QB of record in the "Wild Goat" which accounted for the only WPI score in the ECAC Presidents Bowl. He amassed a season-best 168 yards against Union and received the Robert Pritchard Award for Most Outstanding Back for the second time in his career on Homecoming versus RPI. Grasis rumbled into the end zone twice each against Troy's Engineers and in the regular season finale at Springfield. He currently sits fourth all-time in the WPI record book with 2,909 rushing yards.

A back-to-back first team honoree, Brian Murtagh finished second among the league-leaders, and 39th nationally, in solo tackles per game (5.9) and third (61st nationally) in total tackles (9.7). He led the Engineers with 97 stops to go along with 4.5 for-loss, a pair of fumble recoveries, two interceptions and a pass breakup. The middle linebacker took home the Robert Pritchard Award for his 11 tackles, of which 10 were solo, and a tackle for-loss on Homecoming against RPI.

Chad DellaPorta, who missed some non-conference action due to a preseason injury, made the seamless transition this fall from guard to right tackle. He helped the offense top the Liberty League in third down conversion percentage (44.2%), and rank third in total offense with 365.2 yards per game while limiting opponents to 14 sacks over the 10 games in the regular season. He was also named to the Liberty League All-Academic team for the second time in as many seasons.

Dereck Pacheco completed the regular season second in the eight-team loop in sacks. The sophomore defensive end and 2015 CoSIDA Academic All-District selection had 7.5 sacks among his 10 tackles for-loss and totaled five QB hurries and a pair of pass deflections. Pacheco was named the Liberty League Defensive Performer of the Week, along with recognition from the ECAC and D3football.com, for his performance versus Norwich.

Eric Lacroix, who was also a second teamer in 2013 and 2014 tallied 88 tackles and reached double figures on four occasions. The free safety had his hand in four turnovers - three interceptions, including a pair against NCAA participant St. Lawrence - and a recovered fumble.

Peter Salem proved to be a key cog on the defensive front for the Crimson and Gray. The nose guard was a big part of WPI's run defense that held opponents to 156.7 yards per game and under four yards per carry in the regular season. The three-time Liberty League All-Academic selection was opportunistic, forcing a fumble, recovering two others and accounting for a 1.5 sacks.

A three-time Liberty League All-Academic honoree, Cory Stirling was recognized by the coaches for his strong play on the gridiron. The senior distinguished himself at left tackle this fall helping the Engineers rack up over 365 yards per game. Stirling helped the front five protect quarterback Dan Eckler by yielding only 14 sacks in the regular season.

The major award winners included junior wide receiver Brendan Flaherty of Holy Cross as the Offensive Player of the Year while junior defensive back Jarrod Casey of Assumption was tabbed the Defensive Player of the Year.

Sophomore place kicker Cole Tracy of Assumption earned Special Teams Player of the Year and freshman teammate Deonte Harris was named Freshman of the Year. Bob Chesney of Assumption and Mike Litchen of Becker shared Coach of the Year honors.

Now celebrating its silver anniversary, the Worcester Area Football Association All-Star Team is named in memory of Steve "Merc" Morris, the longtime Assistant Director of Athletics for Media Relations and Assumption Hall of Famer. Morris was a 1972 graduate of Assumption and was a member of the athletics staff for 39 years before he passed away in January of 2011.

In addition to being the founder of the Worcester Area Association All-Star Program, Morris was a tireless supporter of collegiate athletics and had a key role in the lives of thousands of student-athletes.

About Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Founded in 1865 in Worcester, Mass., WPI is one of the nation's first engineering and technology universities. Its 14 academic departments offer more than 50 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in science, engineering, technology, business, the social sciences, and the humanities and arts, leading to bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees. WPI's talented faculty work with students on interdisciplinary research that seeks solutions to important and socially relevant problems in fields as diverse as the life sciences and bioengineering, energy, information security, materials processing, and robotics. Students also have the opportunity to make a difference to communities and organizations around the world through the university's innovative Global Projects Program. There are more than 45 WPI project centers throughout the Americas, Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Europe.