Anna Maria College Football: A History of the Amcats
The Anna Maria Amcats football team has represented Anna Maria College in college football at the NCAA Division III level. The program's second decade, from 2020 to the present, has seen the Amcats compete in both the Eastern Collegiate Football Conference (ECFC) and the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC).
Early Years and Conference Affiliations
From 2009 to 2024, the Amcats were members of the ECFC. In 2025, Anna Maria joined the MASCAC, marking a new chapter for the football program. The Amcats claim two conference titles, with the most recent triumph occurring in 2023.
The 2020 Season
The 2020 Anna Maria Amcats football team was set to represent Anna Maria College of Paxton, Massachusetts.
The 2021 Season
The 2021 Anna Maria Amcats football team also represented Anna Maria College of Paxton, Massachusetts. The season saw significant individual accolades for the Amcats. Head coach Dan Mulrooney was named ECFC Coach of the Year, while offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Steve Croce earned ECFC Assistant Coach of the Year. Wide receiver Deandre Wallace was selected as the ECFC Rookie of the Year and was also named First-team All-ECFC, along with defensive lineman Jude Sampson and defensive back Armstrong Antoine.
The 2022 Season
The 2022 Anna Maria Amcats football team continued to represent Anna Maria College of Paxton, Massachusetts. Wide receiver Devin Tolbert and offensive lineman Max Cyr were named First-team All-ECFC selections.
Read also: The link between Tendler and College Humor
The 2023 Season
The 2023 Anna Maria Amcats football team achieved significant recognition. Head coach Steve Croce was named ECFC Coach of the Year, and offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Tanner Kingsley earned ECFC Assistant Coach of the Year. Quarterback Ryan Russell was recognized as the ECFC Offensive Player of the Year, and offensive lineman Max Cyr was named ECFC Offensive Lineman of the Year. Several Amcats were selected to the All-ECFC First Team, including quarterback Ryan Russell, running back Jamal Cariglia, wide receivers Deandre Wallace and Mark Johnson-Morgan, offensive linemen Max Cyr and Da'Shawn Allen, kicker Ryan Kent, defensive linemen Elijah Allston and Malik Kirnon, linebacker Antonio Giano, and defensive back Lamar Wilkes.
The 2024 Season
The 2024 Anna Maria Amcats football team represented Anna Maria College of Paxton, Massachusetts. Midway through the season, Croce announced his intentions to retire, concluding his tenure with an overall record of 14-14, including one bowl game appearance. Anna Maria's season ended with a narrow 39-37 loss to Alfred State in the ECFC Championship. The Amcats were led by quarterback Ryan Russell, the ECFC Offensive Player of the Year and a First-team All-ECFC selection, who threw for 2,777 yards and 27 touchdowns in his second season as a starter. Kicker Ryan Kent earned ECFC Special Teams Player of the Year honors, while defensive back Di'Angelo Jean Pierre was named co-Rookie of the Year. Additional First-team All-ECFC selections included running back Jamal Cariglia, wide receivers Justin Oliver, Kevin Acosta Jr., and Davien Atkinson, offensive lineman Max Cyr, return specialist Justin Oliver, defensive lineman Jordan Martin, and defensive back Jihad Brown. This marked the final season as a member of the ECFC for Anna Maria, as the other three teams were departing the conference.
Coaching Changes
The Anna Maria football program has seen a few changes in leadership. Dan Mulrooney, who was named ECFC Coach of the Year in 2021, eventually left to become the head football coach at Lock Haven University. Steve Croce, who had served as the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach, was later named the AMCAT Head Football Coach. In 2024, Tanner Kingsley was named as the next Head Football Coach for Anna Maria College.
Key Games and Moments
The Anna Maria football team has had its share of memorable games and moments. For example, they overcame a 17-0 deficit to top Castleton University. In another game, Anna Maria outlasted Husson University. However, they also experienced tough losses, such as the one against Western New England University.
Read also: Discover Anna Hall's journey to success
Read also: Funding Your Education at Seminole State
tags: #Anna #Maria #College #football #history
