NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. – In 2016, the Monroe College football team produced its second seven-win season in its five years of existence. The Mustangs consistently received votes in the NJCAA Football Rankings, and produced 19 All-Northeast Football Conference (NEFC) student-athletes. With a similarly challenging schedule on the docket, as well as a large number of returning players, the Mustangs have put themselves in position to produce back-to-back winning seasons for the first time in the program's short history.
 
The Mustangs bring back just three of their 19 All-NEFC athletes from last year in wide receiver Aaron Lewis, linebacker Levi Shockley and defensive back Darrius Stokes. Lewis led last year's wide receiver corps with 35 receptions, resulting 426 yards and four touchdowns. Shockley made 21 tackles, including 2.5 for a loss of yards. Stokes was second on the team with four interceptions, including a 97-yard interception return touchdown, while also making 22 tackles and three pass breakups.
 
After appearing in six games last season and producing a solid 145.40 efficiency rating, quarterback Sean Kelly is poised to lead the Mustang offense in 2017. He will be joined in the quarterback room by redshirt freshman Jalen Brown and freshman Chauncey Lowman.
 
After standout running back Ryan Fulse moved on to Wagner College, there are plenty of backfield touches to be had this season by a tailback corps that goes eight men deep. Steve Candelaria is the lone returning Mustang who received carries in 2016, turning 12 touches into 108 yards and a score. The Mustangs ran the ball 334 times a year ago, meaning there will be plenty of opportunities for a deep halfback committee.
 
Lewis leads a group of 15 wide receivers on this year's roster, which includes 11 true or redshirt freshmen. Shea Holbrook, Malique Merchant and Dapree Wright all return from last year's squad. Holbrook notched a pair of touchdown receptions a year ago, while Merchant added one of his own. Monroe also welcomes five freshmen at the tight end position, as well as Rich Benoit, who served as an offensive lineman a year ago.
 
A deep set of offensive linemen has made for plenty of competition this summer. Returners David Harris, Devon Robinson, Nazir Boodhoo and Justus Martinez lead the way for the offensive front.
 
The defensive line will start nearly from scratch this season, returning just two experienced players from last season in Richard Butler and Justin Davila. Davila recovered a fumble last year, while Butler made 12 tackles, three for loss of yards, and a sack.
 
Shockley leads a linebacker group with four returning athletes from the 2016 squad. Clayton Glasco had a pair of sacks, Nigel Bailey made 14 tackles, and Dominique Rogers made 11 stops and two tackles for loss.
 
Defensive back is the position with the most sophomores on the defensive side of the ball for the Mustangs. Stokes leads the group, while Dejohn Rogers returns after excelling in a special teams role in 2016. Safety Quirinius Wilson, Jr. recovered a fumble in a game against Wagner College JV last season.
 
Redshirt freshman Jake Smith takes over both kicking and punting duties. He takes over for Jared Calhoun, who earned NEFC Special Teams Player of the Week five times in 2016.
 
The Mustangs open their season with four straight road contests. 2017 begins in Nelsonville, Ohio, where Monroe will visit Hocking College for the first time in program history. Monroe and Hocking will face off on Saturday, Sept. 2, at 1 p.m. Monroe will finally have its home opener on Saturday, Sept. 30, when the Mustangs host the New Jersey Warriors at 1:30 p.m. They will then welcome Valley Forge Military Academy for their annual Homecoming game on Saturday, Oct. 7, at 1:30 p.m.
 
ABOUT THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM AT MONROE COLLEGE
The athletic program at Monroe College encompasses a total of 26 teams competing across nine sports. There are 18 varsity and junior varsity programs, as well as club men's rugby, and the newly added club women's rugby team, competing on the New Rochelle campus as the Monroe Mustangs (NJCAA Division I). The Monroe Express, based out of the Bronx campus, will have six teams competing at the NJCAA Division III level beginning in the fall of 2017.
 
For more information about the Monroe Mustangs, please visit us at www.MonroeCollegeMustangs.com or follow us on social media: Facebook (Monroe College Athletics), Twitter (@Monroe_Mustangs) and Instagram (@monroemustangs).
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