COLLEGEVILLE, Pa. – Seniors Carmen Fortino and Heath Hidlay have been named captains of the Ursinus College football team for the 2017 campaign.
Fortino, a King of Prussia native, looks to lead by example in his senior year after completing one of the best seasons in the program's history at the position. Fortino grabbed 71 catches for 801 yards and five scores last year. His reception total was the second most in program history, while his yardage mark placed him seventh in Bears history for a single season.
Fortino carved his name into the record book for his Oct. 10th performance against Moravian, when he reeled in 12 catches for 143 yards and a touchdown. His dozen receptions tied a program record for most in a single game.
Hidlay, a Lewistown native, will anchor the defensive side of the ball for the Bears. Entering his third year at strong safety, Hidlay looks to keep up the consistent play that he has brought to the table over the past two seasons.
He ranked atop the Bears' statistics in multiple categories last season, including tackles (61), sacks (6.5), forced fumbles (4) and tackles for loss (10). Hidlay also led the Centennial Conference in forced fumbles. His knack for creating momentum-swinging plays propelled him to his new role on a Bears' squad that looks to improve on a 2-8 record in 2016.
Ursinus opens the season at Patterson Field on Saturday, Sept. 2 at noon against Bethany (W.V.). The Bears' first conference game comes the following Saturday at Gettysburg at 1 p.m.