FOOTBALL

NORTHFIELD, Vt. - Five members of the Norwich University football team were among those honored by the Empire 8 on Thursday, as the league announced its all-conference team. Senior RB Darnell Jackson and junior DL Reza Afsarmanesh led the list of Cadets as each player was named to the league's first team.

Senior DL Richard Cumby and junior DB Donovan Brown earned second-team honors, while senior LB Jim Kiritsy was selected to the league's sportsmanship team.

Jackson, who became Norwich's all-time leading rusher this season, capped a memorable four-year career with 820 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns this season. The versatile playmaker, who hails from Miami, Fla., averaged better than 22 yards per kickoff return this season, returning one kick 82 yards for a touchdown. Jackson caps his brilliant Norwich career with 3,045 rushing yards.

Afsarmanesh continued his impressive play again this season, ranking second on the team in tackles (66), tackles-for-loss (11.5) and quarterback sacks (4.0). The Sunrise, Fla., native also forced two fumbles, recovered two fumbles, blocked a kick and broke up three passes.

Cumby led Norwich in tackles-for-loss (16) and quarterback sacks (5.0) this season, along with ranking tied for third on the team in tackles (65). The Shalimar, Fla., product also recorded one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and blocked one kick.

Brown was perhaps NU's most valuable defensive player all season long, leading the team in tackles (81), interceptions (four), forced fumbles (three) and blocked kicks (two). A Corona, Calif., native, Brown also ranked among the team leaders in pass breakups (four).

Kiritsy, who embodies what the Norwich team is all about, was an easy choice to make the Sportsmanship Team. A consummate leader, and one of the hardest working players in the program, Kiritsy gave his all every time he stepped out onto the football field. One of the team's captains this season, Kiritsy made an impact on the field from his middle linebacker position, ranking sixth on the team in tackles (59), fifth on the squad in tackles-for-loss (4.5) and tied for first in fumble recoveries (two).