D2CCA All-Super Region 1 Teams

RINDGE, N.H. (December 6, 2021) -- Continuing an awards-filled fall, junior running back EJ Burgess (Pearland, Texas) has become the first All-Region selection in the history of the Franklin Pierce University football program. Burgess chalked up All-Super Region 1 First Team honors from the Division II Conference Commissioners Association (D2CCA), as announced late last week.

Burgess was previously named the Northeast-10 Conference Offensive Player of the Year and was selected to the All-NE10 First Team earlier this fall. As a result of his selection to the All-Region First Team, Burgess will advance to the D2CCA All-America ballot.

Burgess’ on-field performance was so impressive that he has continued to haul in awards despite Franklin Pierce’s 0-10 record this fall. The Lone Star State native finished second in the NE10 in rushing yards (1204) and third in rushing yards per game (120.4). The only player to finish higher than Burgess in both categories was Assumption senior and NE10 Most Valuable Player Khaleed Exum-Strong, who rushed for 1228 yards (122.8 yards per game), but was relegated to the All-Super Region 1 Second Team.

Burgess ranks fifth in the country in all-purpose yards per game (161.5), and is also 11^th in rushing yards per game (120.4) and 16^th in rushing yards (1204).

Burgess had the heaviest workload in the NE10, as he carried the ball a league-high 221 times, for an average of 5.4 yards per rush, which ranks third in the conference. His 10 rushing touchdowns rank third as well, while his 72 points are tied for second, as he added a pair of receiving touchdowns along the way. Burgess was also in the top 15 in the league with 40.0 receiving yards per game, as he finished with 26 catches for 400 yards.

No stranger to the highlight reel, Burgess ripped off a pair of 70-yard touchdown runs on the year, including a 71-yard dash to open the game against Lake Erie on Sept. 11, and a 77-yard romp at Pace on Oct. 16.