PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Junior Willie Lombard (Bridgewater, Mass.) picked up Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) postseason honors on Thursday as the league announced its football major awards winners and all-conference teams.
 
Lombard was named All-MASCAC First Team Offense as a return specialist after another dynamic season on special teams.
 
Lombard racked up over 700 kickoff return yards on the season to average nearly 24.5 yards per return, while he was one of just four players with a return touchdown on the year.
 
He got out to a quick start with over 100 kickoff return yards in the season opener at VTSU Castleton and amassed a season-high 152 yards on just five returns against Framingham State on Sept. 30. Lombard ignited the home crowd with a 95-yard kickoff return touchdown in the Panthers' win over Fitchburg State on Oct. 14, his third career kickoff return TD.
 
He also finished as the team's leading rusher, totaling 760 yards on 149 carries (5.1 yards per carry) to go with seven rushing TDs. The team's top scorer, Lombard finished with ten total touchdowns (seven rushing, two receiving, one kickoff return) to finish with 60 points, exactly double the next closest player.
 
Led by 21-year head coach Paul Castonia, the Panthers finished 4-6 overall and went an even 4-4 in MASCAC play to finish .500 or better in league action for the seventh straight season.