WESTFIELD, Mass. - Westfield State University had four football players named to the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference all-conference teams on Wednesday, including three who were chosen to the first team.
Junior running back Travon Holder (Cheney/Hartford, Conn.), senior linebacker Zach Howard (David Prouty/Spencer, Mass.), senior safety William Tejeda (Acton-Boxborough/Princeton, Mass.) were named to the first team, while sophomore center Saul Cabrera (Methuen, Mass.) was picked for the second team.
Holder finishes the 2017 season with 1,147 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns. His rushing total is the 8th best in school history, and
He carried for more than 100 yards in six of the Owls 10 games this season. Holder also caught nine passes for 72 yards, and had one kickoff return that went for 70 yards. In his three-year career with the Owls, Holder has rushed for 2,301 yards and scored 23 total touchdowns.
"There aren't many like Travon Holder," said Westfield State head coach Pete Kowalski. "You're fortunate to be in the right place at the right time to have a player like him come into your life. He has tremendous vision, a great understanding of our offense and runs with a lot of heart. He refuses to be tackled. He has cat-like reflexes, and maybe nine lives too. You see him look like he's trapped, and he escapes and gets more yardage almost every time."
Howard led the Owls defense in tackles with 104 total stops, including 11.5 tackles for losses, and had an interception, a fumble recovery and broke up a pair of passes. He also had a pair of big fourth down conversions rushing the ball, one of which was a 44 yard touchdown run.
"Zach has gone through a lot of injuries, and always bounced back," said Kowalski. "He demonstrates a lot of grit and determination. Over the last couple of years he has really learned to execute at his position, and he has great anticipation which increases his speed, and has worked really hard in the weight room."
Tejeda led the Owls with five interceptions this season and 43 return yards. He finished with six pass breakups, a fumble recovery, and returned two punts for 55 yards.
"Will Tejeda is a prime example of someone who has worked really hard at being a football player," said Kowalski. "He's progressed through his four year. His biggest improvement has been in understanding his responsibilities in the defense. He has always been a great athlete, but earlier in his career that would let him get out of position because of his ability to recover. He's become more patient and made great plays, has a great break on the ball, and the quality of his play has helped our whole secondary become more effective."
Cabrera keyed the Owls rushing attack from the center position. Already a two-year starter for the Owls, Cabrera's blocking helped Holder to become the MASCAC's leading rusher, as the Owls amassed 198.8 rushing yards per game and 303 yards of total offense per game and held the ball for more than 33 minutes per game.
"As a center, it's hard to notice what Saul does during the course of a game, unless he makes a mistake," said Kowalski. "But as you watch film, you're impressed with his physical attributes. He was an all-New England wrestler in high school and those abilities translate to the center position. He sets the defensive front so our line knows their assignments, and Saul has spent a lot of time watching film with coach Coe so he understands those responsibilities."
Westfield State finished the year with a 3-7 record, 3-5 in the MASCAC. The Owls rallied after an 0-5 start to the season to win three of their last five games, including a three-game home winning streak.
