Bracken, McKee & Sinnig Named 2014 Football Captains
BETHLEHEM, Pa. --- Seniors Kevin Bracken, Jacob McKee and Ricky Sinnig have been selected as the captains for the 2014 Moravian College football season.
BETHLEHEM, Pa. --- Seniors Kevin Bracken, Jacob McKee and Ricky Sinnig have been selected as the captains for the 2014 Moravian College football season.
The Greyhounds kickoff their ten-game season on Saturday, September 6 when the squad welcomes King's College to Rocco Calvo Field for their only non-conference game of the year starting at 1:00 p.m.
Bracken will be in his third season as a starter at linebacker for the Greyhounds this fall. He has played in 29 games in his career including 18 starts over the last two years. Last fall, Bracken recorded a team high 107 tackles while earning a spot on the Centennial All-Conference Honorable Mention squad. Bracken has made 179 career tackles with 101 solo stops to go along with 12 tackles for loss, two sacks, 13 passes defended, five interceptions, two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.
"Kevin is our inspirational leader, his focus and intensity is what sets him apart," stated Head Coach Jeff Pukszyn, who is entering his fourth season leading the Hounds' program this fall. "The players rally around Kevin and look to him for leadership. The expectations are very high for him, and I know he's ready to lead this defense."
McKee came to Moravian as a tight end but moved to the offensive line as a sophomore. He has started the last 18 games at right tackle for the Greyhounds and will return to anchor the line this fall.
"Jake is not the most vocal player, but his hard work and dedication has endeared him to his teammates," Pukyszn said. "He's a hard worker and the players respect and admire that. We have a ton of talent returning on offense and Jake is going to be one the keys to the unit's success."
Sinnig, who was also one of Moravian's captains in 2013, was in the starting lineup last fall in the defensive backfield, recording 84 tackles and seven passes defended with a pair of interceptions that earned him a spot on the Centennial All-Conference Second Team. In 21 career games that included seeing Sinnig move into the starting lineup during his sophomore campaign, he has 137 tackles with 77 solo stops, three tackles for loss, 10 passes defended and five interceptions. Sinnig is also a leader in the classroom, earning spots on the Centennial Conference Fall Academic Honor Roll the last two years and a on the 2013 Capital One Academic All-District Team.
"Ricky is like having another coach on the field," explained Pukszyn of his two-year captain "His leadership and knowledge is unparalleled. He makes our defense better thanks to his physical and mental abilities. We're expecting a major year from him, and I know he's ready to take the next step for us."
Coach Pukszyn and his staff welcomed 105 players to campus for preseason camp on August 13 including 61 returning letterwinners and 18 starters.
