Middletown, CT --- The Worcester State Football team has been slotted fifth, tied with Trinity, in the first Division III New England Football Poll of the season. With three straight victories, the Lancers have started the season 3-0 for the first time since the 2002 season.
The voters of the poll are made up of the regions head coaches, administrators and sports information directors. It marks the first time since the 2005 season the Blue and Gold have been ranked as they were the #10 team in New England with a record of 5-2 in Week 5.
Springfield topped the poll followed by Endicott, Williams, Maine Maritime, WSU, Trinity, Amherst, Bridgewater State, Mass Maritime and Curry.
Worcester State is paced by senior running back Marcus Price (Worcester, MA/Doherty) who leads the NEFC in total yardage (436) while he is second in average (146 YPG) with five touchdowns. Senior Tony Tokarz (Holden, MA) is also third in total passing yards (437), total offense (180 YPG) and fifth in passing average (145.7 YPG) with nine touchdowns and just two interceptions. Price and fourth-year wideout Kenny Russell (Bedford, MA) are among the individual leaders in the conference in scoring with 30 points.
The Lancers are also just second in the NEFC with Endicott in scoring offense (41.7 PPG) and they are also tied with the Gulls for second rushing offense (241 YPG). WSU is fourth in total offense (402 YPG).
Defensively, freshman Tyler Asum (Milford, MA) leads the charge with 14 tackles - a NEFC best seven tackles for a loss with 2.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and a recovery. Senior Cameron Jones (Stow, MA) leads the team with 21 tackles (13 solos) - with 3 TFL and four pass breakups - and classmate Andrew Tokarz (Holden, MA) is second with 15 stops (12 solo), one interception and a pair of pass deflections.
Through their first three games this season, the Blue and Gold are fifth in the conference in total defense (255.7 YPG), rushing defense (121 YPG) and passing defense (134.7 YPG).
Fresh off of his 63-yard punt return for a touchdown in a 49-3 triumph over Nichols this past Thursday, junior Richie Dube (Shrewsbury, MA) tops the NEFC in punt return yardage (23.3 YPG).
The Lancers open up NEFC Bogan Division play with a trip to Westfield State on Saturday in a 1 PM affair.