Seahawk News
For immediate release
September 4, 2009
Contact: Pete DiVito, 401-341-2461
Seahawks Announce 2009 Captains
NEWPORT, R.I. - Salve Regina University head football coach Chris Robertson has announced that seniors Brian Bernarducci (Pleasantville, N.Y.), Brian Kirkland (Stoneham, Mass.), Matt Shubert (West Bridgewater, Mass.), and Jeff. St. Onge (Kingston, N.H.) will serve as team captains for the 2009 season.
Bernarducci was third in tackles with 55 (28 solo) and was tied for second with six tackles for loss last season. He also tied three other Seahawks for second on the team in sacks with two, tallied three pass breakups, and forced two fumbles. "At the ILB position, Brian is the signal caller and the orchestrator of the defense on game day," said Robertson. "My trust in him as a person, a leader, and a winner or unwavering. He is the voice and the backbone of the defense and has become a tremendous leader of the team and the youth in the program."
Kirkland anchored an offensive line which averaged 174.0 rushing yards per contest, which was eighth in the NEFC, while allowing St. Onge the time to throw for 1,665 yards and eight touchdowns. As a result, the Seahawks finished sixth in pass offense (189.6 ypg). "Brian is a two-year captain and all-league performer," Robertson said of Kirkland. "The expectations that he has for himself and the team are high and he has never compromised the achievement of personal and team goals for anything. Brian is a class-act on and off the field and any coach would love to have him as part of his team."
Shubert, meanwhile, recorded 15 catches for 243 yards and one touchdown. He led the team with an average of 16.3 yards/reception. Said Robertson, "Matt has become the player and leader that he is today by hard work, perseverance, discipline, and a work ethic that is second to none. He is a leader by example, not by words. Matt is a quality person and a ferocious competitor - exactly what you look for in a captain."
St. Onge finished the season 131-of-218 for 1,665 yards and eight touchdowns. He completed 60.1 percent of his passes and averaged 185.0 yards per contest, which ranked him sixth in the NEFC. St. Onge also averaged 228.3 yards of total offense, which placed him fourth in the conference, and rushed for 395 yards and nine touchdowns, both of which were second on the Seahawks. His 128.0 efficiency rating was also fourth in the NEFC. "Jeff is has been our offensive leader at the QB position for over 20 games in his career," said Robertson. "He has the opportunity to make the 10 plus games of his senior year the best ones of his career. He has prepared physically and mentally like few QB's do and he is ready to lead our offense into battle. A tremendous young man and a role model for the team."
The Seahawks open the 2009 season on Saturday when they travel to Worcester, Mass. for a 7 p.m. contest at WPI.
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