PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Seven members of the Plymouth State University football team earned Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) postseason recognition on Thursday when the league announced its major awards winners and all-conference teams.
 
Freshman Robbie Engel (Topsfield, Mass.) took home the top honor as Defensive Rookie of the Year.
 
Senior Willie Lombard (Bridgewater, Mass.) was a two-time honoree, claiming All-MASCAC First Team Offense honors at both running back and return specialist, while sophomore Jack Claeys (Melrose, Mass.) and junior Sean Quinn (Norwood, Mass.) were also First Team Offense recipients at center and tackle.
 
Additionally, senior Evan Wilson (Derry, N.H.) was named Second Team Defense at inside linebacker, with classmate Braden Lynn (Littleton, Mass.) and sophomore Jacob Morris (Kennebunk, Maine) claiming Second Team Offense honors at quarterback and tight end, respectively.
 
Under the direction of veteran head coach Paul Castonia, who just completed his 22nd year with the program, Plymouth State went 5-4 to finish .500 or better in league play for the eighth straight year. After opening the year 1-3, PSU posted a four-game winning streak and nearly spoiled MASCAC champion UMass Dartmouth's unbeaten season on Senior Day, falling by a 47-42 margin. The Corsairs entered the game with an average margin of victory of more than 42 points. PSU ended up tied for third in the final league standings.
 
 
Robbie Engel – Defensive Rookie of the Year:

• A 5-9 defensive back, Engel quickly worked his way into the lineup appearing in eight of the team's nine games. He posted 46 total tackles, including 22 solo and 24 assisted tackles, and added a fumble recovery. Engel was outstanding in his collegiate debut, posting a season-best 13 tackles (six solo) and a fumble recovery in PSU's 17-14 win over Bridgewater State in the home opener. He recorded a season-high seven solo tackles as part of 12 total stops the following week at Mass. Maritime, and registered multiple tackles every game the rest of the slate. This is his first postseason honor.

  
  
Willie Lombard – All-MASCAC First Team Offense (Running Back):

• A 5-8 running back, Lombard had the best season for a PSU rusher in 15 years. His 1,179 rushing yards were the most since Hall of Famer Jeff Mack set the single season record of 1,779 in 2008, while he ranked second in the country in all-purpose yards per game (207.56), fifth in rushing yards per game (131.0), eighth in rushing touchdowns (16), 13th in scoring per game (11.3) and 16th in both total touchdowns (17) and total rushing yards despite playing just a nine-game schedule. Lombard set career highs for rushing twice in his final three games, capping his career with 252 yards and three TDs last weekend. This is his first postseason honor as a running back.

 
 
Willie Lombard – All-MASCAC First Team Offense (Return Specialist):

• Lombard's impact wasn't just felt in the backfield. His 527 kickoff return yards were nearly 50% higher than the next closest returner in the MASCAC, while he led the league with 19.5 yards per kickoff return. He ranked among the top-50 nationally in combined kick return yardage, a stat that includes both kick and punt return yardage. Lombard compiled 138 return yards in the season opener and 356 yards (20.9/return) over the first four games, at which point opponents avoided kicking his way. Lombard had only 11 return attempts over the final five games. He was honored as a First Team return specialist selection a year ago.

 
 
Jack Claeys – All-MASCAC First Team Offense (Center):

• A 5-10 offensive lineman, Claeys started all nine games for the Panthers. His blocking helped spring Lombard free for several long runs, as PSU ranked third in the MASCAC and among the top-40 in the nation with 190.3 rushing yards per game. PSU's 4.9 yards per rush was also the third best in the league, while Plymouth State scored 26 rushing touchdowns for the season. This is his first postseason honor.

 
 
Sean Quinn – All-MASCAC First Team Offense (Tackle):

• A 6-4 offensive lineman, Quinn also started all nine games. Quinn and the rest of the offensive line averaged just 1.11 sacks allowed per game, a number that ranked 53rd in the country, while PSU was 20th nationally and third in the MASCAC in tackles for loss allowed per game. Plymouth State picked up 93 first downs on the ground, accounting for 62% of all first downs, and held the ball for 31 minutes per game to rank third in the league in time of possession. PSU was also the least penalized team in the country, both by number of penalties and penalty yards per game. This is his first postseason honor.

 
 
Evan Wilson – All-MASCAC Second Team Defense (Inside Linebacker):

• A 5-9 linebacker, Wilson anchored the PSU defense. He ranked third in the MASCAC with 86 tackles, 51 solo tackles and 9.6 tackles per game, while his 5.6 solo tackles per game were 26th in the country. He added 7.5 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles and two pass breakups. Wilson recorded double-digit tackles in five of nine games, including a season-high 13 tackles (12 solo) in the Panthers' win at Westfield State. This is his second postseason honor as he also earned a Second Team nod in 2022.

 
 
Braden Lynn – All-MASCAC Second Team Offense (Quarterback):

• A 6-2 quarterback, Lynn finished the season with 924 passing yards in just eight games. He completed 69-of-115 attempts for a 60.0% completion rate and averaged eight yards per attempt. Lynn ended the year with four passing touchdowns and posted an efficiency rating of 130.3. Despite a run-first offense, Lynn recorded three straight games of 100-plus passing yards in October, finishing with 182, 144 and 144 yards while throwing a pair of TDs. He completed 32-of-45 passes during the stretch (71.1%. Lynn's ability to keep plays alive with his feet proved important all season, while he rushed for four touchdowns, all coming in the final two games. This is his first all-conference nod after claiming Offensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2022.

 
 
Jacob Morris – All-MASCAC Second Team Offense (Tight End):

• A 6-5 tight end, Morris became a more prominent piece of the Panthers' offense in 2024. A dual-threat at the position, Morris was both an efficient blocker and effective pass-catching option. His 20 receptions were tied for the second-most on the team, while he led the team with 240 receiving yards. Morris averaged better than 17 yards per catch and hauled in his lone receiving touchdown in the season opener at Worcester State. He also carried the ball three times in PSU's win at Fitchburg State, including a four-yard TD run. This is his first postseason honor.