NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Seven members of the Christopher Newport University football squad were honored on Wednesday, achieving All-Region status from D3football.com. Three Captains were voted first team, three second team, and one third team. CNU and Johns Hopkins each received seven honors, most in Region 2.

Senior wide receiver Colin Hart, junior offensive lineman Andrew Belford, and junior defensive end Connor Estrella were all voted first team All-Region. Junior quarterback Connor Barry, junior tight end Ethan Barham, and junior defensive back Noah Martin received second team accolades. Senior defensive back Yasir Geter was also recognized, named to the third team.

Christopher Newport recorded its first perfect regular season this year in the 25-year history of the program, as the Captains went 10-0 before losing to Susquehanna in the second round of the NCAA Division III Football Championship.

Hart, a senior receiver from Ashburn, Va., was a first team All-Conference honoree in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) for the fourth straight season, becoming the first CNU football standout to ever achieve first team honors four consecutive years. Hart caught 57 total passes for 1,273 yards (22.3 yards per catch and 115.7 yards per game receiving). He posted 12 touchdown receptions this fall a new CNU record, and set new program marks for career receptions and receiving yards. Hart also became just the fifth player in CNU history to record a 200-yard receiving game with 204 yards at William Paterson, and averaged 118 yards per game. He was named to the National Team of the Week by D3football.com following his first week effort vs. Trine University that saw him catch seven balls for 199 yards and a school-record four touchdowns. He concluded his outstanding career with 30 touchdowns scored.

Belford, a junior offensive lineman from Chesapeake, Va., received his second straight NJAC honor as a first team All-Conference Offensive Lineman. Belford anchored an offensive line that produced a running attack that averaged 176.6 yards per game, and served as lead blocker for a line that aided in 28 scoring runs in 11 games. Belford and his fellow linemen also provided outstanding pass protection, yielding just 21 sacks in 11 games played.

Estrella, a junior also from Chesapeake, was honored as a first team All-Conference performer in the NJAC. Estrella set a new school single season record for sacks with nine in ten games played, and made 35 tackles, with 13.5 going for lost yardage. He also forced two fumbles and broke up two passes.

Barry, a junior from Vienna, Va., is a semifinalist for the Gagliardi Trophy, the honor presented annually to the most outstanding football player in Division III. Barry was voted the Offensive Player of the Year in the NJAC, and set numerous school records for passing, including most touchdowns in a season with 35 this year. He also threw for a new mark of 2,866 yards, completed 67 percent of his passes, and averaged 260.5 yards per game passing. Barry also scored 11 times this season on runs, and was named the New Jersey Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Week six times. 

Martin, a junior defensive back from Spotsylvania, Va., led the Captains in tackles this season with 72 in 11 games, including four stops for lost yardage. He made two interceptions, broke up three passes, and recovered a fumble to be selected first team All-Conference in the NJAC. Martin made 46 solo tackles, and returned his interceptions for a total of 32 yards. This marked the second consecutive season Martin has led the CNU defense in tackles.

Barham, a junior tight end from Chesapeake, was also a first team All-Conference honoree in the NJAC, and caught 26 passes for 525 yards and seven scores. Barham averaged 47.7 yards per game, and 20.2 yards per reception.

Geter, a senior defensive back from Suffolk, Va., was second on the squad with 57 tackles this season, including 36 solo stops. He broke up six passes and made one interception, and also forced two fumbles and blocked a kick.Geter was also recognized as a first team NJAC performer.

Christopher Newport set a new school record for wins in a season with ten and compiled a 15-game winning streak dating back to last season, when the Captains won their final five games.

Click HERE for the complete list of Region 2 recipients from D3football.com.



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