Black Knights with 15 All-CSFL Performers

WEST POINT, N.Y. – A total of 15 members of the Army sprint football team were named All-CSFL performers for the 2019 season, the league announced in a release Friday afternoon.

The Black Knights had a total of six members tabbed to the first team, four to the second team and five earned honorable mention nods.

Tate Blessinger, NaVonte Dean, Garrett Dunn, Ryan Leach, Seppi Ortman and Tom Williamson all earned first team all-league honors. Bobby Downing, Alex Sobeski, Onorino Tamburri and Desmond Young were all named second team all-CSFL performers. Rounding out the group were Jackson Brock, Justin Charette, Nitai Chun, Matthew Sauter and Ryan Sullivan, who received honorable mention.

Blessinger led the team with 40 tackles (25 solo) on the season. The Jasper, Ind., native was also second on the team in tackles for a loss, with 10.5. Against Post, Blessinger registered his second career interception and returned it 40 yards. This marks the junior's second time being tabbed to the All-CSFL First Team, as he earned the same distinction last year.

Dean led the team with 13.0 tackles for a loss, 10.5 of which were marked as sacks. His top performance came against Navy in the CSFL Championship when he totaled 10 tackles, including three sacks. Against St. Thomas Aquinas, the junior registered his first career pick six on a 54-yard interception returned to the end zone. This is the second consecutive year that he has earned first team honors.

Dunn was a big contributor on the Black Knights' offensive line, helping pave the way for the rushing game, which totaled 1,044 yards. Additionally, he played a large role in protecting the pocket for an offense that had 1,894 yards through the air.

Leach led the league with a total of seven interceptions on the season. Twice this season Leach registered multi-interception games. His top performance came against Caldwell when he posted a season-high eight tackles to go along with a pair on interceptions.

Ortman was tabbed the CSFL Special Teams Player of the Week three times this season. On PAT attempts he was 35-for-36, in addition to connecting on six field goal attempts. His long for the season was from 43 yards out. This marks his second first team selection.

Williamson was the team leader in receiving yards (514), receptions (38) and was tied for the team lead with in touchdowns (4). A team captain, Williamson's top game came in the regular season finale against Mansfield when he reeled in 10 catches for 181 yards. This marks his third all-league honor and the second time he's been tabbed to the first team.

Downing registered the second most tackles on the team, finishing the season with 37 (21 solo). He recorded five sacks for a total loss of 27 yards, as part of 6.5 tackles for a loss. Against Navy in the CSFL Championship, he totaled nine tackles and 3.5 for a loss.

Sobeski was third on the team in tackles for a loss with seven which combined to backtrack opponents for a total of 41 yards. In total, Sobeski had 27 tackles. He also was credited with two quarterback hurries on the season.

Tamburri finished the season with 20 tackles (16 solo). He registered his second career interception at Penn in the season opener to go along with the three tackles. The senior captain had his top performance against Caldwell when he forced a fumble and tallied five tackles, all of which were solo stops. This is the second time that Tamburri earned All-CSFL nods as he was an honorable mention selection last year.

Young was a dominant force in the Black Knights' defensive backfield, shutting down opposite receivers and limiting targets his way. He totaled 18 tackles on the year and had an interception against Caldwell. This is the third time that Young has earned All-CSFL honors.

Brock also played a huge role in the Black Knights' offensive success, opening up lanes in the run-block and protecting the quarterback in the pass-block.

Charette was tied for the team lead with four touchdown receptions. He reeled in a total of 28 passes for a total of 242 yards. Against Penn in the season-opener, he caught a season-high seven passes for 50 yards and a touchdown.

Chun was also tied for the team-lead with four touchdowns. He had a total of 19 catches for 278 yards on the season. The Gardena, Calif., had three touchdowns in the final two contests of the season, including a 56-yard touchdown reception in the CSFL Championship versus Navy.

Sauter was Army's leading rusher, completing the season with a net of 266 yards. He also led the team with five rushing touchdowns in addition to hauling in one touchdown reception. He recorded a touchdown in each of the last five contests.

Sullivan was the primary signal caller for the Black Knights. He had a completion percentage of 60.85 percent (115-of-189) and threw for 1,442 yards and 14 touchdowns. In the regular season finale against Mansfield, Sullivan completed 30 passes for a total 443 yards and five touchdowns.

Army finished the season with an overall record of 7-1 and claimed its 36th CSFL title in topping Navy, 13-0, in the championship game.

Army West Point Athletics

Black Knights with 15 All-CSFL Performers

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Players Mentioned

Tate Blessinger

Jackson Brock

Justin Charette

NaVonte Dean

Bobby Downing

Garrett Dunn

Ryan Leach

Seppi Ortman

Matthew Sauter

Alex Sobeski

Ryan Sullivan

Onorino Tamburri

Tom Williamson

Desmond Young

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