Ward, a native of Spokane, Wash., tallied two sacks and 27 tackles. Meanwhile the 6’7” Rich led the offensive line, garnering attention from NFL scouts along the way.

“[The seniors] brought confidence and joy to the game of football and to our team that’s going to be hard to replace,” Hutton said. “But we have to have guys step up and accept the challenge.”

The final two prizes—the Joe Restic Award for “leadership, scholarship, and integrity” and the Robert F. Kennedy award for “desire and determination”—went to senior halfback Anthony Firkser and senior defensive back Sean Ahern, respectively.

For three seasons, Firkser tormented Ivy League defenses. As a sophomore and junior, he made the Ancient Eight second team despite playing behind NFL-bound tight end Ben Braunecker.

In 2016, as a senior, Firkser topped the program with seven receiving touchdowns. He went over 70 yards in six games and finished with 14 career scores, good for sixth in school history.

Ahern also saw serious action before 2016. As a sophomore, he emerged as one of the premier shutdown corners in the Ivy League and landed on the all-conference first team; as a junior, he repeated the feat.

Named the captain before the 2016 season, Ahern seemed poised for another dominant campaign. But an October shoulder injury ended his season. Even then, he ended with eight pass breakups—more than anyone else on the Crimson—and an All-Ivy honorable mention.

Next season, Hutton will replace Ahern as the official team leader. And if words mean anything, the junior linebacker seems ready to continue the values that previous captains have demonstrated.

“I looked up to Norman Hayes, Matt Koran and Sean Ahern, [the last three captains],” Hutton said. “I view them as leaders and incredible human being…. I know how much those three guys had an impact on me as a young player.”

Captain for the 2017 season: junior linebacker Luke Hutton

Frederick Greeley Crocker Award for “the most valuable player”: senior defensive tackle James Duberg

Henry H. Lamar Award for “dedication to the program”: senior defensive end Langston Ward

Joe Restic Award for “leadership, scholarship, and integrity”: senior halfback Anthony Firkser

Joseph E. Wolf Award for “the top interior lineman”: senior offensive lineman Max Rich

Robert F. Kennedy Award for “desire and determination”: senior defensive back Sean Ahern

—Staff writer Sam Danello can be reached at sam.danello@thecrimson.com.