Four Crusaders Named All-New England

Michael Wright

WORCESTER, Mass. – Holy Cross senior offensive guard Chris Poole (Scituate, Mass.), senior quarterback Dominic Randolph (Amelia, Ohio), senior linebacker Marcus Rodriguez (Peoria, Ariz.) and senior cornerback Michael Wright (Fort Washington, Md.) have been selected to the 2009 New England Football Championship Subdivision All-Star team, as announced by the New England Football Writers. The four Crusaders were among 30 players from around New England named to the squad. The members of the team will be honored at the New England Football Writers Banquet on Dec. 10 in Wilmington, Mass.

Poole was previously named first team All-Patriot League this year, after being a second team all-conference selection in 2008. He started all 12 games for the Crusaders at right guard this season, as the leader of an offensive line which paved the way for Holy Cross to rank fourth in the nation in passing offense (314.9 yards per game), sixth in total offense (433.6 yards per game) and 15th in scoring offense (32.2 points per game). Poole started all 34 of Holy Cross’ games over the last three seasons on the offensive line.

Randolph earns All-New England honors for the third straight year, after he was previously selected as the Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year for the third consecutive season. Randolph completed 310 of 485 passes this season for 3,776 yards and 34 touchdowns. He also led the team in rushing this year, carrying the ball 113 times for 480 yards and seven scores. Randolph led the nation in total offense, while ranking second in points responsible for, third in completions, fourth in passing yards and 15th in pass efficiency. Over the course of his career as a Crusader, he completed 1,131 of 1,786 passes for 13,455 yards and 117 scores, while amassing 14,240 yards of total offense. Randolph owns the Holy Cross and Patriot League career records for yards of total offense, passing yards, touchdown passes, completions and pass attempts.

Rodriguez was selected first team All-Patriot League earlier this year, after being a second team all-conference honoree in 2008. He started all 12 games this season for the Crusaders at inside linebacker and led the team with 102 total tackles, including 75 solo stops and two tackles for loss. Rodriguez also had six pass breakups and a forced fumble this year. He ranked fifth in the Patriot League in total tackles this season, and 17th in passes defended. Over the course of his Holy Cross career, Rodriguez totaled 240 total tackles with 12 tackles for loss.

Wright was previously named first team All-Patriot League this year, after being a second team all-conference selection in 2008. He started all 12 games at cornerback for Holy Cross this season, and led the team with three interceptions and 13 pass breakups. Wright also totaled 53 tackles on the year, including 48 solo stops and a tackle for loss. He finished the season ranked second in the Patriot League in passes defended and seventh in interceptions. Over the course of his collegiate career, Wright totaled 96 tackles, four interceptions and 26 pass breakups.

Holy Cross concluded the 2009 season with an overall record of 9-3, and won the Patriot League championship with a 5-1 mark in conference games.

A complete list of the 2009 All-New England football teams follows.

2009 ALL-NEW ENGLAND FOOTBALL TEAM