ROCHESTER, NY - This afternoon the Empire 8 announced the 2024 Football All-Conference selections. In the team's first season in the league, Hilbert earned a pair of honors as freshman full back Mike Hanlon was named to the Second Team, while senior defensive back Taivaughn Roach was placed on the Third Team. Senior nose tackle Imari Jenkins was named to the conference's Sportsman Of The Year team as well.

The Empire 8 honored Cortland senior quarterback, Zac Boyes as Offensive Player of the year for the second straight season. The Conference Champions and defending National Champions also received Defensive Player of the Year (Nick Lardaro), Special Teams Player of the Year (Mike Baloga) and Coaching Staff of the Year (Led by Head Coach Curt Fitzpatrick) Honors. Hartwick College first-year wide receiver Conor Cosgrove was named Rookie of the Year.

Hanlon was recognized as the conference's second-team full back after a successful freshman campaign in Hamburg. The Brockton, N.Y native finished the season fifth in the conference with 69.3 rushing yards per contest. In just seven games, Hanlon racked up 485 yards on the ground, good enough for eighth in the Empire 8.

The Hawks' offense leaned on Hanlon all year as he found himself ranked inside the top 30 nationally in total all-purpose yards, and all-purpose yards per game throughout the season.

The freshman full back found the endzone three times for Hilbert this season, all on the ground. Among these scores was an 81-yard rush against St. John Fisher which is the longest play in program history. Against the Cardinals Hanlon also posted a program-record 147 rushing yards with 7.7 yards an attempt.

In his third season with the Hawks, Roach once again led the defensive unit. His 80 total tackles paced the team while also placing him fifth in the conference. On a per game basis, Roach racked up eight tackles a contest, good enough for sixth.

On November 9th against Utica Roach racked up 13 total tackles, including one for a loss. Against Endicott the senior from Cheektowaga, N.Y tallied seven tackles, a sack, a tackle for a loss, and a pair of forced fumbles.

After his final season at Hilbert, Roach leaves as the program's all-time leader in solo tackles (135), assisted tackles (98), sacks (5) and became the first Hilbert player to earn a national honor: the 2023 NCAA Statistical Leader with 12.5 Tackles Per Game.

Hanlon and Roach become the first two Hawks to earn Empire 8 All-conference nods in what was the program's first season in the conference.