MANCHESTER, N.H. - Head Coach Joe Adam of the Saint Anselm College football team has revealed five team captains ahead of the 2023 campaign.

Anthony Brown (Belton, Texas), Will Klein (Abington, Mass.), Taylor Pawelkoski (Bradenton, Fla.), Max Tempchin (Silver Spring, Md.) and Vincent Wagner (Staten Island, N.Y.) have been selected to lead the Hawks this fall, the 24th season of modern-day football at Saint Anselm.

"We are excited to add these student-athletes to a long legacy of fine captains here at Saint Anselm," said Adam. "They each have a unique set of skills and are focused on creating a strong work ethic and sense of responsibility within the team."

A back-to-back Northeast-10 First Team All-Conference selection, Brown becomes a three-time team captain for the Hawks while returning for a fifth year. Last season, Brown hauled in 56 passes for 721 yards to go along with six receiving touchdowns, which were all team highs. 

Brown finished the season tied for the conference lead in both receptions per game (5.6) and total receptions (56), and was second in the conference in receiving yards per game (72.1), total receiving yards (721), and receiving touchdowns (six). The wide receiver currently ranks in the top five in program history in career receiving yards (2,174; fourth), career receptions (162; fifth), career receiving touchdowns (16; fourth), career yards per catch (13.42; second) and career receptions per game (5.40; third).

Pawelkoski, a Northeast-10 Second Team All-Conference selection in 2022, also returns to the Hawks for a fifth year and becomes a team captain for the first time. Last fall, the linebacker led the Hawks in both sacks (5.5) and total tackles (72.0) to go along with an interception. His 7.2 tackles per game ranked fourth in the conference, while he was sixth in the league in total tackles and was tied for seventh in sacks.

Klein, another key defensive asset for the Hawks a season ago, becomes a team captain for the first time in his Saint Anselm tenure. Last fall, the hybrid defensive player excelled in all areas, recording an interception, two sacks, two forced fumbles, three pass break-ups, and 40 total tackles. 

On September 24 against Southern Connecticut State, Klein made one of the biggest plays of the season when he deflected a pass inside the Hawks' own red-zone, leading to an interception by senior Devin Wood (Merrimack, N.H.) during a tie game with just over five minutes remaining. Saint Anselm scored what would be the game-winning touchdown with 1:40 to play on the ensuing possession and moved to 4-0 on the season, marking their best start since 2014.

Another fifth year student-athlete, Tempchin also earns captaincy for the first time in his career. One of the most experienced players on the defensive side of the ball, Tempchin is coming off a career-high 36 tackles at the defensive end position. His presence and leadership on the line of scrimmage will be a big factor in the Hawks stopping the run this fall.

Wagner, now a two-time team captain, returns to his leadership role for what will be his fifth year this fall. Last season, he amassed 354 all-purpose yards on 66 touches while rushing for a touchdown across eight games. A key part of the Hawks offense in the backfield, Wagner recorded 787 total yards of offense on 154 touches while reaching the end zone twice in 2021. A top ten rusher in program history, Wagner currently sits in sixth place all time with 4.3 career yards per rush and ninth all time with 31.3 rushing yards per game.

"Our captains are an extension of our coaching staff and we will look to them to guide this group throughout the fall," noted Adam. "Their positive influence will be a key component of our success this season."

The five captains will look to lead their team to victory in the season opener this Thursday, August 31st at Millersville with kickoff set for 7 p.m.