Nov. 28, 2007

Petersburg, VA - The seventh annual East Coast Bowl, an All-Star game featuring some of the nation's top football talent, had a distinct Wagner flavor as three Seahawks distinguished themselves in front of several NFL scouts in leading the North to a 35-7 victory over the South on Nov. 24.

Kicker/punter Piotr Czech (Keyport, NJ/ Keyport) set an East Coast Bowl record in field goals made by going a perfect 5-for-5, with a long of 47 yards. RB Jason Butler (Syracuse, NY/ Henninger), the NEC Offensive Player of the Year, was the leading rusher in the game with 46 yards on 10 carries and also turned in several stellar special tams plays. CB Al Phillips (Hialeah, FL/ American) also made his presence felt with a second quarter interception.

Czech, Butler and Phillips, all first-team All-Northeast Conference choices this season, were among the top 75 Division I-FCS, II, III and NAIA athletes invited to the East Coast Bowl All three Wagner stars said the Thanksgiving week trip to Virginia was a worthwhile experience.

"It was good exposure for us as scouts from different teams had a chance to see us work out and in the game," said Czech, who made 14-of-17 field goals this season in becoming Wagner's all-time leader in field goals made (44). "I had a good time and was pleased with the way I kicked. Having so many field goal chances was great and I had a good day on kickoffs as well. They had another punter, so I didn't have a chance to punt in the game but that's OK. Overall, it was a good experience."

Butler, who ran for 100 yards or more in all 11 games this season, en route to the second-best rushing season in school history (1,713 yards), was in the middle of much of the action. In addition to averaging 4.6 yards on 10 carries, Butler showed his versatility by delivering a well-timed, crunching tackle, nailing a return man who was a fielding a punt.. Butler also recovered a pair of fumbles on special teams.

"I was the gunner on the punt team and I had never played that position before," said Butler, in describing his big special teams hit. "It was a high punt and I just ran down there and hit the guy. It reminded me of when I used to play safety."

Butler, a standout defensive back before for being switched to RB prior to the 2006 season.

Phillips demonstrated the instincts and cover skills that allowed him to record 17 career interceptions, third on the Wagner all-time list. In the second quarter, Phillips stepped in front of a would-be receiver, leapt into the air, and came up with the interception. This fine individual play was a fitting to a year that saw him come up with seven interceptions.

"Playing in this game was a great opportunity," said Phillips. "It was played at a fast pace and I had a chance to play in about 60 percent of the snaps. There were a lot of good players there and I think of myself as a good player. The competition level was good and we got a chance to perform in front of some professional scouts. It offered us a lot of exposure and overall it was a great experience."

Players reported to Petersburg the day before Thanksgiving to begin preparations for the game, which serves as a scholarship event with all of the revenue generated directed to a fund for a local high school senior who plans on attending a Division I-FCS, II or III college. For more information, visit www.petersburgsports.com

The East Coast Bowl partnered this year with American Football Alumni (AFA). The AFA is an association of former players and coaches of all levels to support the sport of football and give back to the game. More information about the American Football Alumni can be obtained at www.11on11.com