The Bates College football team celebrated its best season since 1981, handed out its year-end awards and announced the captains for the 2013 season at its annual team dinner on Sunday.

Bates junior free safety Andrew Kukesh was selected Tuesday to the D3football.com 2012 All-East Region Team’s Second Team Defense.

The Bates football team was saluted on Thursday with five NESCAC postseason honors, including Mark Harriman as NESCAC Co-Coach of the Year. Also honored were Charlie Donahue, Andrew Kukesh, Liam O’Neil and Trevor Smith.

Following Saturday’s 47-33 triumph over Hamilton, Bates football was recognized with two out of three of the NESCAC’s Player of the Week award winners on Sunday. Gilbert Brown received NESCAC Defensive Player of the Week honors, while Charlie Donahue was named NESCAC Special Teams Player of the Week.