Yianni Gavalas Turns Heads Again in Pioneers 51-16 Victory

By Mikey Domagala
Staff Writer

LIU Post Pioneers Quarterback Yianni Gavalas has been on an absolute tear at the start the 2017 season. His deep completions and passes have guided the Pioneers to a 3-0 record, helping them outscore their opponents by 21.6 points per game.

In his most recent performance, Gavalas threw for an impressive 406 yards and four touchdowns, leading the Pioneers over Stonehill College 51-16. His 35 pass completions out of 43 tries (81.4 completion percentage) was his highest of the season and this performance earned him back-to- back Northeast-10 Conference Offensive Player of the Week honors, as the conference office released on Monday.

When asked the reason for his overwhelming success, Gavalas responded humbly, giving credit to his teammates and coaches, but especially the guys who protect him on each play, the offensive line.

“[It] stems from the play of my teammates and the coaching staff ; they make my job a lot easier when they put me in the right position and play well,” Gavalas said. “The offensive line has been great, protecting me and allowing me to have time in the pocket, as well as the defense.” Gavalas, a Graduate student, has thrown for four touchdowns in each of the first three games of the season, good for first place in the Northeast 10 conference. With two of the three games being conference battles, his conference numbers rank him first in touchdowns (8), yards (811), yards per game (405.5), completions (76), attempts (97), completion percentage (78.4%), and pass efficiency (173.7). Numbers being said, it is obvious he completely earned his back- to-back Northeast-10 Conference Offensive Player of the Week honors.

Standing 6’2”, weighing 220 lbs and being an already experienced player, Gavalas has the athletic ability of a marquee Quarterback. Increased focus on his footwork this past off season, has allowed him to improve his skills—the more swiftly he could move in the pocket, the more accurate his throws will be.

Yianni Gavalas has much more to prove in his first season as the LIU Post Pioneers Quarterback. Catch the team and Gavalas back on the field, on Saturday, September 23 when they travel to Waltham, Massachusetts to take on Bentley University at 2 p.m.