Cragg announces captains for 2011 football season
Hobart Head Football Coach Mike Cragg recently announced the team captains for the 2011 season. Seniors Greg Clifford, Garth Muratori, and Drake Woodard were elected by their teammates to lead the Statesmen.
"These three young men represent the ideals of Hobart College and Statesmen athletics," Cragg said. "Through perseverance, hard work, and determination, they have emerged as true leaders and I look forward to working with them."
A tight end, Clifford started in eight games last season before an injury cut short his campaign. An aggressive and tenacious blocker, he helped the Statesmen rank first in the Liberty League in several statistical categories, including total offense (378.8 yds/g), third down conversion (38.7%), and red zone offense (80.0%). Clifford also caught three passes for 40 yards and two touchdowns. The converted fullback played in every game in 2009, averaging 3.6 yards per carry.
A wide receiver, Muratori caught 36 passes for 569 yards and seven touchdowns last season. He led the conference in receiving touchdowns and ranked second in yards per catch (15.8), third in receiving yards and receiving yards per game (63.2), and fourth in receptions per game (4.0). Muratori was named the Liberty League Co-Offensive Performer of the Week after logging seven catches for 129 yards and three touchdowns, all career highs, at Merchant Marine. He was named All-Liberty League honorable mention and earned Hobart's Bill Middleton Memorial Award, as offensive MVP. Muratori enters his final season with 76 receptions for 1,139 yards and 10 touchdowns in 28 games.
Arguably one of the best cornerbacks in the East, Woodard is a three-time unanimous first team All-Liberty League selection. He recorded at least two tackles in every game last season, logging a season-high nine stops at Carnegie Mellon. Woodard finished fourth on the team in total tackles with 40, including three for a loss. He also registered an interception and seven pass break ups. He received Hobart's Harter Family Award for his love of the game and desire to win. In 29 career games, Woodard has amassed 114 tackles, 20 pass break ups, eight interceptions, five fumble recoveries, three forced fumbles, and two blocked kicks.
Hobart was 5-4 overall in 2010, including a 3-3 mark in the Liberty League. The Statesmen's three conference losses came by a combined seven points. Hobart will return 40 lettermen, including 15 starters, when it opens the 2011 campaign at Dickinson on Sept. 3.
