The success of a team is in its individual parts.

The players that make up winning teams often work well together and all fill a piece of the equation.

With a 5-4 record overall and a 5-3 mark in Division III, 10 members of the ConVal football team were named to the 2009 Division III all-state team. Four were honored with first-team selections, while the other six were named to the honorable mention squad.

The Cougars enjoyed their fifth winning regular season in the last seven, which included the program’s second trip to the postseason and their highest seed ever — third.

The offense rushed for more yards (2,444) than any of the previous 17 teams and it was done with a host of players in the backfield. ConVal also accumulated 3,476 total yards in 10 total games, including the postseason.

First Team:

Barry Powers, senior, captain

A monster at the defensive tackle position, Powers usually attracted double teams from opposing offensive lines, but it didn’t really seem to matter.

Despite the extra attention, Powers still led the Cougars in tackles and sacks with eight. The sack total made him the all-time leader in program history with 22.

Starting the season on the offensive line, Powers made the move to running back after three games and flourished. He carried the ball 54 times on the season for 706 yards and nine touchdowns.

Sean Robicheau, senior, captain

After coming on strong to end the 2008 season, Robicheau committed himself to getting bigger and stronger for his final year in a ConVal uniform.

And the plan worked, as Robicheau teamed with Powers to form a dangerous duo on the defensive line and wreak havoc on opposing offenses.

Robicheau was just behind Powers for the team lead in tackles while finishing second in sacks with six. Robicheau was also a big part of the blocking for the record-setting running game.

Terry Ellis, senior

Even though it was his first year as a starting wide receiver, Ellis made the most of his opportunities. On the season, Ellis had only 10 receptions, but accumulated 342 yards and four touchdowns.

In a must-win final regular season game, Ellis had the best game of his career. Against Goffstown, Ellis scored twice before the half from 80 and 45 yards out and finished the day with 140 yards. He also set a school record for longest touchdown reception and tied the mark for most touchdown receptions in a game.

Ellis also had a game-clinching interception in a 24-21 win over Bedford at homecoming.

Jon Queen, junior

Having only started for half a season entering his 2009 campaign, Queen started the year slow, but quickly found a comfortable groove.

He passed for a program-best 1,032 yards and 12 touchdowns against five interceptions. On the ground, Queen carried the ball 115 times and went for 564 yards and three more scores.

In the second largest win of the season, 43-21 over Pembroke in week four, Queen had a career day. He was 6-for-8 for 117 yards with three touchdowns to three different receivers.

And in a regular season finale win over Goffstown, Queen passed for 190 yards, two touchdowns and rushed for another.

Honorable Mention:

Anthony Faccidomo, senior

Faccidomo did a little bit of everything for the Cougars in his final year. Playing at the tight end position, Faccidomo caught six passes for 134 yards and his one touchdown was for 40 yards against Monadnock.

On defense, Faccidomo mostly played defensive end, but in a week three game against Portsmouth, he lined up against one of the best receivers in the state and held him to just two catches. He also had one of the biggest plays of the year, a third down sack in the final minutes in the regular season finale win over Goffstown.

Matt Vautour, senior, captain

From the safety position, Vautour came up with a number of huge tackles. Some were to save what would have been long touchdown runs and others on completed passes in the secondary.

After a year at cornerback in 2008, Vautour understood what was needed in the defensive backfield, leading the way in tackles.

Jake Lessard, junior

As the only starting junior on defense to start the 2009 campaign, Lessard showed early what he was capable of at the linebacker position. He had a nose for the ball and always seemed to be around or involved with most tackles in the running game.

With much of the attention on the talented defensive line, Lessard found himself free on a number of plays.

Dan Noonan, senior, captain

As an undersized defensive end, Noonan used his understanding of the game to make big plays. Noonan was the heart and soul of the defense and it showed each time he took the field.

Serving as one of the team’s captains, Noonan was more of a lead-by-example kind of player who showed the younger guys what was needed every snap.

Andy Banuskevich, senior

Banuskevich played a big part of the team’s offense from two different positions. At wideout, Banuskevich caught six passes for 141 yards and three of them went for touchdowns.

As the team’s kicker, Banuskevich made both field goal attempts on the season, including a 21-yard kick with just over a minute left to break a tie with Bedford for a win at homecoming.

Krystian Hoszkewicz, senior

Hoszkewicz played on the offensive and defensive lines and made an impact on both. As the team’s center, Hoszkewicz provided consistency in the center-quarterback exchange. The team did not have a fumble during the snap all season.

On defense, Hoszkewicz was another weapon who kept opposing offenses from keying in on one player.