W&L PLACES SEVEN ON ALL-ODAC FOOTBALL TEAM

LEXINGTON, Va. -- The Old Dominion Athletic Conference announced its all-conference football team on Thursday afternoon and Washington and Lee had seven players honored.

Senior offensive lineman Mat Rapoza (Kill Devil Hills, N.C./Manteo), senior running back Chris Sullivan (San Antonio, Texas/Alamo Heights) and junior linebacker Ben Krasnoff (Towson, Md./Towson) were all placed on the first team, while junior defensive lineman Brian Becker (Vienna, Va./Gonzaga) and junior offensive lineman Scott Kucinski (Erie, Pa./Cathedral Prep) were tabbed as second team members. Junior defensive back Ted Maffitt (Houston, Texas/Episcopal) and sophomore wide receiver Taylor Callaham (Owings Mills, Md./McDonogh) were honorable mention picks.

Rapoza and Sullivan were repeat first-teamers after garnering the honor last season. A preseason First Team All-American, Rapoza was the leader of W&L's offensive line which allowed just 12 sacks in 292 pass attempts. Sullivan led the conference and ranked 34th nationally in rushing with 1,123 yards and 10 touchdowns on an ODAC-record 294 carries. He also caught 21 passes for 223 yards and two touchdowns and totaled 407 return yards for 1,753 all-purpose yards (13th nationally). A preseason First Team All-American as an all-purpose back, Sullivan finished his career with school-record totals of 3,140 rushing yards and 5,931 all-purpose yards.

Krasnoff earned a first team selection after garnering honorable mention honors a year ago. He led the ODAC with 94 tackles and led the team with 16 tackles for a loss despite missing the season-opener with an injury. He also posted two sacks, forced a fumble and recovered a fumble.

Becker was named to the second team for the third straight season. He led the team with 4.5 sacks and amassed 43 total stops. Kucinski, a first team selection last season, teamed with Rapoza to allow just 12 sacks all season.

Maffitt earned honorable mention honors for the second straight season. He was second on the team and third in the conference with 89 total tackles. He led the team with four interceptions and also recorded a sack.

Callaham had a breakout year in 2002, recording team-highs in catches (36), yards (499) and touchdowns (6). His six touchdown catches were just two shy of a school record.

Bridgewater junior linebacker Jermaine Taylor was named the ODAC Player of the Year, while Randolph-Macon's Clay Muench was named the Rookie of the Year. Bridgewater's Mike Clark was chosen as the Coach of the Year.

Washington and Lee finished the 2002 season with a 5-5 overall record, 3-3 in the ODAC. The Generals finished third in the conference behind second-ranked Bridgewater and Hampden-Sydney.

-- GENERALS --