Meriden Resident Receives NE-10 Conference Football Honor

MERIDEN, CT — Meriden’s Tylon Papallo, a senior on the Southern Connecticut State University football team, was named the Northeast 10 Conference Special Teams Player of the Week, officials announced Monday.

In addition, Joe Digello (of Orange) and Szymon Gawlick (of Newton, Mass.) were also named to the weekly honor roll.

Papallo, a Platt-Meriden graduate, scored twice in the Owls' 37-20 win against Frankin Pierce, despite only touching the ball four times. Papallo received a punt from Franklin Pierce on the Owls' 18-yard line and returned it 82 yards for the Owls' second touchdown of the day. Several plays later, Papallo beat the Ravens' secondary and was wide open on the flea flicker that resulted in a 49-yard touchdown reception.

Papallo's punt return was the longest of the season in the NE10 as well as the only one returned for a touchdown in the conference. Papallo's 82-yard return for a touchdown was the second-longest in program history after Jim Lukowiak had a 91-yard return in 2005.

For the year, Papallo has been a bright spot for the Owls as he leads the NE10 in receiving yards (490), yards per game (70.0) and yards per catch (17.5). He is also one of five receivers in the conferences with four touchdowns, while he is tied for third in the category. He also leads the NE10 in punt return yards (162) and return average (20.3).

Digello had four tackles, including two that came as sacks while his 2.5 tackles for loss totaled 50 yards for the Owls' defense. Digello also forced one fumble on a sack that halted Franklin Pierce in the red zone.

Gawlick had a perfect day in converted 3-of-3 field goals and four extra-point attempts. Gawlick hit on field goals from 17, 27 and 37 yards in the Owls' win against Franklin Pierce.