WALTHAM, Mass. – A quartet of seniors – quarterback Mack Lowrie (Foxborough/Roxbury Latin School), running back Martin Bannerman (Pawtucket, R.I./La Salle Academy), center Connor Peck (Sherborn/Catholic Memorial HS) and defensive back Junior Chery (Waltham/Waltham HS) – have been named captains of the 2017 Bentley University football team, head coach Bill Kavanaugh announced.

Bannerman is back for his fifth season with the Falcons after his 2016 season was ended prematurely as the result of injuries. He's rushed for 1,431 yards with 14 touchdowns as a Falcon and will began this season 209 yards shy of 2,000 career all-purpose. His best season to date came in 2015 when he led the Falcons in rushing for the second straight year, finishing with 721.

"Martin is the heartbeat of our football team," said Kavanaugh of his running back who was limited to three games last fall.

Chery, another fifth-year player, will enter his final season with 96 tackles, five interceptions, three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in 31 career games.  He started four games at strong safety last year, saw action in nine contests and finished with 28 tackles and three interceptions, including a pick-six against Merrimack.

"Junior has battled back from injuries early in career to be the 'quarterback' of our defense," praised Kavanaugh.

The 6'4", 220-pound Lowrie started five games behind center for the 2016 Falcons in his first Bentley season following stops at Boston College, Rhode Island and Pearl River Community College. Overall, he appeared in eight contests and threw for 786 yards and eight touchdowns. He completed half of his passing attempts and was picked off only four times in 166 throws.

"Since arriving as a transfer, Mack has been a leader on the field and in the community for us," stated the fourth-year Falcon coach.

Peck has 28 games of experience under his belt, including 17 as a starter. The 6'2", 280-pounder is the Falcons' most experienced offensive lineman, having started once as a freshman and eight times each of the last two seasons.

"Connor has anchored the offensive line for the past two years," said Kavanaugh.

Bentley, coming off a third straight 5-6 season, will make its 2017 debut on Thursday, Aug. 31 at West Chester University.