CALIFORNIA (Nov. 22) – A group of eight players from the California (PA) football team were named to the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District Team on Tuesday afternoon, as senior offensive lineman Noel Brouse (Slatington, Pa./Parkland), senior linebacker Logan Burnsworth (West Elizabeth, Pa./Thomas Jefferson), sophomore linebacker Jack Colecchi (Vandergrift, Pa./Kiski), sophomore defensive back Rafiqe Hilliard (Chester, Pa./Chester), senior linebacker Gabe Miller (Cranberry Twp., Pa./Seneca Valley), sophomore running back Gage Rogge (Belle Vernon, Pa./Belle Vernon), senior offensive lineman Jake Smetak (Irwin, Pa./Norwin) and junior long snapper Bryce Washington (Monroeville, Pa./Norwin) received the honor.

With the award, all eight players are eligible for consideration on the CSC Academic All-America Teams that will be announced next month. The CSC Academic All-America program replaces the former CoSIDA Academic All-America program after CoSIDA recently rebranded the organization as College Sports Communicators.

Brouse was named a semifinalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy this fall after being selected a 2021 CoSIDA First-Team Academic All-American. He started all 11 games at left tackle this season, as the Vulcans ranked among the top 10 in the country in red-zone offense and doubled their rushing total from last year. Brouse is currently pursuing a post-graduate certificate in group fitness and leadership and boasts a 4.00 GPA. He earned his master's degree from Cal U in sport management with a concentration in intercollegiate athletic administration in December 2021 while maintaining a 4.00 GPA. Brouse completed his bachelor's degree in sport management from UConn in May 2020 and graduated with a 3.81 GPA.

A mainstay on special teams throughout his career, Burnsworth totaled 10 tackles (five solo), 1.0 TFL and one forced fumble this fall before suffering a season-ending injury in Week 6. He completed his bachelor's degree in social studies with a concentration in secondary education this spring with a 3.82 GPA and is pursuing a master's degree in technology education.

Colecchi ranked among the team leaders with 9.0 TFL and 3.5 sacks this season. He appeared in all 11 games and started four games at linebacker after playing wide receiver in 2021. Colecchi holds a 3.56 GPA while majoring in business administration with a concentration in management information systems.

A reserve defensive back and member of special teams, Hilliard made eight stops (three solo) this year with five tackles on special teams. He maintains a 3.66 GPA while pursuing a degree in art studio.

Miller set career highs with 40 tackles and 7.0 TFL while starting for one of the top rushing defenses in the country. He also registered an interception and three blocked kicks in 2022. Miller holds a 3.84 GPA while finalizing a degree in social studies with a concentration in secondary education.

A native of nearby Belle Vernon, Rogge made a pair of starts at h-back and appeared in six games before suffering a season-ending injury in Week 6. He maintains a 3.54 GPA while majoring in special education with a concentration in PreK-12.

Smetak appeared in all 11 games as a reserve this season after making a pair of starts in 2021. He helped the Vulcans rank among the top five in the conference in scoring offense, total offense and passing offense. Smetak earned his bachelor's degree in accounting with a minor in forensic accounting this spring with a 3.51 GPA and is pursuing a master's degree in accounting.

A Gateway product, Washington played in all 11 games on special teams this year. The Vulcans tied for the best mark in the league this year with only one blocked kick allowed. He holds a 3.65 GPA while majoring in computer information systems.

To qualify for the academic all-district honors, a student-athlete must be at least a sophomore academically and in athletic eligibility, must maintain a cumulative 3.50 GPA or higher and must have played at least 50 percent of the team's games. Additionally, each institution is capped at eight nominees in the sport of football.