WALTHAM, Mass. -- Three juniors on the Bentley University Falcons have been selected to the 2009 ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District 1 football team (college division) by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). They are quarterback Bryant Johnson (Hopedale/Milford HS), center Jared Kawadler (Sharon/Xaverian Brothers HS) and wide receiver John Malone (Walpole/Walpole HS).
After earning district honors, they will advance to the national ballot for Academic All-America consideration. All three are offensive starters for the Falcons, who are 8-1 overall and ranked 24th in the latest AFCA Division II coaches poll.
District 1 includes the six New England states and New York, and the college division includes both Division II and III institutions.
Johnson has thrown for 2,141 yards and 16 touchdowns this season while completing 56 percent of his passes. In addition, he's scrambled for 190 yards in his first year as Bentley's starting QB. Johnson has had six games with at least two TD passes and has registered three games with 300+ passing yards.
Kawadler, an All-District selection for the second straight year, has started every game in the middle of the offensive line for Bentley over the last two seasons. This season, the Falcon O-line has helped Bentley boost the team's rushing total from 625 yards last year to 1,194 thus far in 2009, and has given Johnson considerable protection, allowing only 13 sacks.
Malone is third on the team in receiving with his 35 receptions good for 345 yards and three touchdowns. He's also rushed for another score with his 24 points fourth best on the team. Malone's most productive game came against American International when he had 10 catches for 103 yards.
All three have distinguished themselves in the classroom. Kawadler owns a 3.89 grade point average as a corporate finance and accounting major, Malone has a 3.63 in economics-finance, and Johnson, an accountancy major, has a 3.45 GPA.
Bentley, ranked fourth in the NCAA Division II Super Region One, closes out the regular season Saturday at Stonehill College. A victory would give the Falcons the Northeast-10 championship and likely ensure the team of an NCAA Division II playoff berth.
