Worcester, MA --- Senior defensive back Andrew Sides (Acton, MA) and senior quarterback Justin Wells (Jay, ME) led 10 Engineers selected to the 18th Annual All-Star Team as voted on by the 2008 Worcester Area Football Association.

Sides was awarded Worcester Area co-Defensive Player of the Year, along with Chris Martino from Assumption College. Sides, a preseason All-American, had a tremendous season for the Engineers and was one of only nine players to be unanimously selected to the All-Liberty League first team. The strong safety placed second on the team and 10th in the conference with 76 tackles (53 solo). His two interceptions and nine pass breakups gave him 11 passes defended, ranking him fifth in the Liberty League. He was also named to the Division II/III All-New England first team by the New England Football Writers.

Wells was a second-team selection at quarterback. Wells scored 10 touchdowns rushing and 10 receiving, and led the Engineers in rushing yards on his way to being named an All-Liberty League honorable mention. His 2,454 yards of total offense is good for second all-time in WPI history.

Joining Sides on the first team are wide receiver R.C. Grady (Shirley, MA) and offensive linemen Justin Pollard (Taunton, MA) and Stan St. Juste (Everett, MA). Grady led WPI in receiving yards with 811 and was second on the team in receptions. Pollard and St. Juste anchored an offensive line that only allowed 14 sacks in 10 games during the 2008 season.

Second-team selections from WPI include wide receiver Cody McGregor (Westfield, MA) who led the Crimson and Gray in receptions with 55, defensive linemen Justin Thomas (Stannard, VT) and Erik Pichette (Chelmsford, MA), and linebackers Stefan Nicotra (Wyoming, RI) and Michael Toto (Agawam, MA).

In addition to these selections, WPI head coach Ed Zaloom took home co-Coach of the Year honors in his 10th season piloting the Engineers.

WPI's 10 all-star selections ranked it third among Worcester area colleges. Holy Cross led with 12 all-stars, while Assumption added 11.

Worcester Area Football Association All-Star Team Release

Story by Ray Cotrufo, WPI Athletics Department