Team Awards Revealed During Virtual Banquet

Jared Gerbino football action at Harvard

Jared Gerbino ’20 won the Coach Bob Blackman Trophy.

Photo by: Gil Talbot

6/1/2020 2:45:00 PM | Football

A total of 18 players received awards for the 2019 season on Sunday

By: Rick Bender

HANOVER, N.H. — The Dartmouth football team gathered online via Zoom for its annual banquet in a virtual fashion yesterday to announce the team awards. The Coach Bob Blackman Trophy, bestowed upon the team MVP, went to senior Jared Gerbino.

Gerbino (Rush, N.Y.) was an All-Ivy League Second Team selection at quarterback for the second straight year while recording the second-best completion percentage in program history at 68.6 percent (minimum 100 attempts). He led the Big Green to a record 19th Ivy League title while rushing for a team-high six touchdowns, and his 368 yards on the ground were the second most, just five behind the leader. Six times the 6-4, 235-pound QB had at least one rushing and one passing touchdown in a game in 2019 as he evolved from strictly a wildcat quarterback to a throwing threat as well. Gerbino ended his career in Hanover with more rushing yards (1,496) than any quarterback in Dartmouth history — ranking 15th overall — with a 5.4-yard average per carry that is second in the Big Green annals and 21 rushing touchdowns (fifth). After the season, he was named to the 2020 NFF Hampshire Honor Society as well.

Receiving the Jake Crouthamel Award as the offensive player among the underclassmen who made the most significant contribution to the success of the team was junior Evan Hecimovich (Lisle, Ill). The 6-2, 265-pound center was a member of the All-Ivy League Second Team and the keystone of an offensive line that paved the way for Dartmouth to lead the Ivy League in rushing yards per game (167.0) and rank second in scoring offense (33.3 points per game). His blocking wasn't only important for the run game as the Big Green ranked second nationally in passing efficiency and allowed fewer sacks than any other Ancient Eight squad.

Junior Darren Stanley (Conway, S.C.) was bestowed with the Kenneth T. Young Award as the top defensive player among the underclassmen. Seventh in the nation in passes defended per game (1.5) while tying for the Ivy League lead with 15 in all, the 5-10, 185-pound cornerback earned his starting role in the middle of the season. He finished the year with 23 tackles, 14 pass breakups (four each against Yale and Princeton) and one interception.

The Alan Hewitt '34 and Robert Hewitt '40 Award, given to the player who best epitomizes athletic performance with academic achievement, was earned by fifth-year senior Jack Traynor (Lake Forest, Ill.). An engineering major with a 3.66 GPA, Traynor was named the winner of the Bushnell Cup as the Ivy League's defensive player of the year. The 6-0, 230-pound linebacker and two-time captain was unanimously named to the All-Ivy League First Team, a member of the Division I All New-England Team as well as the FCS ADA Academic All-Star Team, and an Academic All-Ivy League selection — each for the third time — plus was chosen as a semifinalist for the Campbell Trophy, known as the academic Heisman. Traynor led the team and ranked third in the conference with 75 tackles, recovered two fumbles and picked off two passes, one of which he returned for a touchdown.

Seth Simmer (Powder Springs, Ga.) was the recipient of the Lester R. Godwin Award, presented to the senior football squad member who has risen above personal disadvantage to contribute measurably to the team. The 6-4, 285-pound defensive tackle was one of three inaugural picks for the Mayo Clinic Comeback Player of the Year Award in 2018 after recovering from a brain tumor, and he continued to be a large presence on the defensive front this past fall. He finished the year with 26 tackles, 2.5 for a loss with one sack and forced a fumble while seeing action in all 10 games.

Senior Isiah Swann (Queen Creek, Ariz.) received the Frank Hershey Award as the player who, judged by his teammates, possesses a genuine zest for life, a strong, upbeat attitude and a sincere desire to win because of his dedication and love for the game, his team and Dartmouth College. A two-time All-American, the cornerback missed the first three games with an injury but made a tremendous impact upon his return, leading the Ivy League with four interceptions, including two pick-sixes, finishing his career as the Big Green's all-time leader with 17 pickoffs. The 6-0, 195-pound co-captain tied Stanley with 15 passes defended on the year as well and had 31 tackles while earning recognition on the All-Ivy League First Team, Division I All-New England Team and numerous All-America teams, plus was a Buck Buchanan finalist as the top defender in the FCS for the second straight season.

Earning the Gordon P. Bennett Award as the outstanding lineman was fifth-year senior Jackson Perry (Las Vegas, Nev.). Another member of the All-Ivy League First Team, the 6-2, 280-pound defensive tackle consistently commanded a double team, yet still produced 36 tackles to lead the Big Green linemen, with 4.5 going for a loss including 1.5 sacks. He also forced a pair of fumbles and continuously stymied the opponents' running game by shedding blockers and filling the lanes.

David Chalmers (Leesburg, Va.) was given the Earl Hamilton Varsity Award as the senior who displayed a sincere friendliness and sense of humor plus appreciation of the outdoors that characterized Hamilton, the freshman football coach from 1955-65 and varsity backfield coach from 1966 until his passing in 1968. A 6-4, 290-pound defensive tackle, the fifth-year senior had 21 tackles, 3.5 for a loss, and forced a fumble while starting nine games.

Taking home the Earl Hamilton Freshman Award was Quinten Arello (Kansas City, Mo.) as the freshman who made the biggest contribution to the team and had the characteristics of Hamilton as well. Playing time for freshmen was minimal on the veteran Dartmouth squad, but Arello made his mark, primarily on special teams coverage, leading all Big Green rookies with 11 tackles. But he also intercepted a pass in the first half against Yale with his team maintaining a 14-0 lead en route to a 42-3 romp.

John Paul Flores (Arlington, Texas) was the recipient of the Doten Award as the member of the sophomore class who made a significant contribution to the success of the team. A 6-5, 285-pound offensive lineman, Flores developed into an exceptional blocker in his second season in Hanover, starting all 10 games at left tackle. He is the second of three brothers to play for Coach Teevens with the Big Green, and he is on track to match the production of his older brother, Jacob, an All-Ivy League First Team lineman who signed with the Green Bay Packers.

The Stubby Pearson Award, established in 2007 and presented to an underclassman on the football team whose character, leadership on campus, high academic standing and performance on the playing field most resembles that of Charles "Stubby" Pearson '42, was handed to junior Niko Mermigas (Wexford, Pa.). A hard-hitting, 5-11, 200-pound safety, Mermigas started every game and was fourth on the team with 47 tackles, breaking up five passes and picking off another along the way.

Senior Niko Lalos (Akron, Ohio) received the John M. Manley '40 Award for demonstrating the most improvement through his efforts in the weight room. A 6-5, 270-pound defensive end, Lalos became one of the most feared pass rushers in the Ivy League, ranking among the top five in the conference in both sacks (second, 0.55 per game) and tackles for a loss (fifth, 1.0 per game) while amassing 35 tackles and seven passes defended, including a pick-six at Yankee Stadium against Princeton. After being named to the All-Ivy League First Team and Division I All-New England Team, he went on to play in the Hula Bowl and was named the MVP of his team for recording two sacks and forcing a fumble.

The 12th Man Award, presented to the member of the varsity football team who demonstrated hard work and dedication regardless of playing time, was given to senior Jake Pallotta (Canton, Ohio). The reserve quarterback never failed to bring a high level of energy to the team in both games and practices. He also made the most of his opportunities on the field, completing 16-of-22 passes (72.7 percent) with a touchdown, plus rambled 69 yards on a keeper against Columbia, one of the longest runs ever by a Big Green quarterback.

Connor Davis (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) took home the Special Teams Award. The sophomore place kicker led the team in scoring with 61 points, ranking fifth in the Ivy League, while converting 6-of-9 field goals and setting a Dartmouth record by going 43-of-43 on his PATs. Twice he was named the conference's Special Teams Player of the Week after wins over Colgate and Princeton, and he was instrumental in the Ivy title-clinching victory in the season finale by kicking three PATs and throwing for a two-point conversion.

The scout team players of the year were freshman running back Noah Roper (Erie, Colo.) for offense and freshman defensive lineman Shane Cokes (Dayton, Ohio) on defense.

The recipient of the Reggie Williams Award, presented to the member of the Big Green football program who through leadership in action and word has made Dartmouth a better place, went to senior Drew Estrada (Argyle, Texas). Chosen for the All-Ivy League Second Team at two positions — wide receiver and return specialist — Estrada was one of the Big Green's top playmakers, ranking fourth in the league with 822 receiving yards and second with eight touchdown catches. The 6-0, 190-pound dynamo also led the conference and ranked 13th nationally in all-purpose yards (137.1 per game), boosted by his 87-yard punt return for a touchdown against Columbia, the second longest in program history.

Finally, senior Ryan Roegge (Marietta, Ga.) was honored with the Manners Makyth Man Award. This distinction goes each year to the player who best conducted himself to the advantage of Dartmouth and displayed good manners in the sense of William Wykeham's phrase, "Manners Makyth Man." The 6-2, 195-pound free safety started nine games and recorded 30 tackles, one for a loss, broke up five passes and had a crucial strip and recovery against ninth-ranked Princeton at Yankee Stadium inside the 10-yard line.