Kelly and Miller Top Seaboard Conference Football Awards

The Williamson College of the Trades football team had success on the field during their 2023 campaign, and they had even more success off it, as Williamson players came up big in this year's post season Seaboard Conference awards that were recently released by the league.

Leading the way for Williamson was senior defensive end Joe Kelly, who capped off an incredible career by being named the overall Co-MVP for the conference, as well as the Co-Defensive MVP award winner.  Joining him in earning multiple awards was senior running back Nazaire Miller, who was named the All-Purpose MVP, as well as the Co-Offensive MVP. 

The pair of Kelly and Miller were joined by 10 other Williamson players who were named first team all-conference.

Kelly literally re-wrote the Williamson football record book, in more ways than one, during his career. In earning Defensive Player of the Year for the third straight year, he becomes the first player in Williamson history to earn that award three times.  Williamson legend and Hall of Famer Mike Neville 0W0 won the award in both 1998 and 1999. 

Kelly also set the school record for career sacks in his final game, ending his career with 31.5 sacks. 

"There has never been anyone like Joe Kelly in a Williamson football uniform before, and there might not ever be anyone like him in the future like him.  He truly was one of a kind," shared Williamson head coach Dan Drake.

His statistics for the season are mind blowing.   He led the team in tackles with 64 (15 more than anyone else!).  He also led the team in tackles for loss with 14 and sacks with 12. In addition, he had fourteen hurries, three pass knockdowns, recovered two fumbles, including one for a touchdown, forced a fumble and blocked a kick. 

"Having been here for 35 years and having watched countless Williamson football games, I believe Coach Drake's assessment is correct.  There never has been someone like Joe in a Williamson football uniform, and there probably never will be again," added longtime Williamson director of athletics Dale Plummer.

While Kelly's statistics on defense were mind blowing, Miller's statistics on offense were equally impressive.  He led the team in rushing for the third straight year, this time with 462 yards (4.0 yds/rush) and added three touchdowns on the ground. He then added another 112 yards receiving (28.0 yds/catch) and two touchdowns through the air.  He also averaged a whopping 35.7 yards on kick-off returns on the year.  He led the team in scoring with 30 points and all-purpose yards with 700, a total that was over 450 yards more than the second highest Mechanic. 

"Nazaire is right up there with the all-time great running backs in Williamson history.  He was so valuable in so many ways.  I am definitely not looking forward to next year without him," lamented Drake. 

Joining those two on the First team were offensive tackle Shaleel Nash and wide receiver Garrett Watkins on the offensive side of things. On defense, defensive linemen Cole Hunter and Gabe Walsh, outside linebacker Chris Meiklejohn, inside linebacker Chris Sheffer, free safety Kevin Mayoros and cornerbacks Cooper Conroy and Kasean Chambers all earned First team honors. 

Nash earned the starting left tackle spot in pre-season camp and never looked back.  He dominated opponents and drew rave reviews from opposing staffs.

Watkins leaves as perhaps the finest wide receiver in Williamson history.  He led Williamson in catches and yards all three seasons.  Forced to play quarterback for several games this season, he still managed to haul in nine receptions for 158 yards (17.6) and a touchdown.  Opponents often double teamed him because everyone knew that if Williamson could figure out a way to get the ball anywhere near him, it was a given that he was going to catch it.  An incredible all-around athlete, he also is the starting point guard for the basketball team and is a lacrosse standout as well.

Hunter capped off an outstanding career with his best year yet.  He was fourth on the team in tackles (39) and second in tackles for loss (9.5) and second in sacks (5).  He also had four pass knockdowns, seven hurries, recovered a fumble and forced two fumbles.

Walsh was a dominating force on the interior defensive line.  A huge disruptive force, he was fifth on the team in tackles with 33, while adding 3.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, four hurries and one pass break-up

A tremendous athlete who made his presence known all over the field, Meiklejohn capped off an outstanding career with 49 tackles, good for second on the team.  He also had 2.5 tackles for loss, a half a sack, an interception and a hurry.  He also is an outstanding lacrosse player for the Mechanics.

Sheffer was the consummate inside linebacker.  A tackling machine, his hits will remain legendary long into the future.  He capped off his career in tremendous fashion, as he finished third on the team in tackles with 40 and was tied for third in tackles for loss with 3.5.  He also had a sack, one forced fumble and had a fumble recovery and return for a touchdown.

Mayoros came into his own this year and was the captain of the secondary.  He had 24 tackles on the year, including one for loss, as well as a pass break-up, forced fumble and a fumble recovery. 

Conroy came on strong at the end of the year to lead the conference in interceptions with seven.  His three interceptions in the final game of the year tied the school record for interceptions in a game.  He also led the team in pass break-ups with seven as well. 

Chambers burst onto the scene right from the start for the Mechanics.  He was sixth on the team in tackles with 24, and second in interceptions with four.  He also added two pass break-ups. 

 Offensive linemen Brian Finley and Adam Simmins, along with running back Nasir Bowman all earned Second team honors, as did Garrett Watkins for all-purpose player.  On defense, tackle Dominic Gallo, linebacker Tyler McLaughlin, defensive back Kelly Battis and punter Kaleb Glynn also earned Second team honors.