Today is the last day of the 2011 Division III football season … and this is the last round of senior profiles from the Muhlenberg football players, featuring the four senior captains.

Here are links to the previous profiles: Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3

Chris Hartzell

Is there any particular play from your career that stands out to you? The biggest play that stands out to me was against Moravian my freshman year. We were down seven, and I was on the field for punt rush. I blocked the punt and ended up with the ball in my hands. I took it to the house to score my first collegiate touchdown. Interestingly, that was the same way I scored my first touchdown in high school.

How would you describe yourself as a player? I feel I have a good nose for the ball when the quarterback is passing. I’ve gotten a lot better over the years at reading receivers and quarterbacks. I work hard at getting better every day that I’m out on the field, and I love every moment of it.

What are your future plans? I plan to start off working at a financial group or bank to learn the ropes, but ultimately I would like to be a financial advisor running my own business.

You went to high school just a few miles away from Patrick McDonough; what’s it been like playing with a fellow Berks County native? It’s nice having Pat as a fellow Berks County native because I have someone to back me up when all the New Jersey players say we all live in the middle of nowhere and are a bunch of hicks, which is not true in our case. Pat is, without a doubt, the hardest-working player on our team and a great leader. He is not scared to share his opinion and makes everyone around him a better player, whether it’s by helping them with plays, lifting in the weight room or getting people to watch film. He is an animal on the field and the hardest hitter I’ve ever seen in person. I’m glad he came back for his seventh year of college so the team, and I, could get a chance to play with him for one more year.

Patrick McDonough

How much of an honor was it to be named the conference’s defensive player of the year and an All-American last season? It was a great honor being named defensive player of the year and an All-American. But a lot of it had to do with the help of my teammates and coaches on and off the field.

Why did you transfer to Muhlenberg? What made you decide to come back for your fifth year? I transferred to Muhlenberg because I was not enjoying playing football at VMI. I also wanted to play against two of my good friends from Wyomissing, Pa., Gregory Lord, who played at Dickinson, and Andrew Kase, who played at Johns Hopkins. Coming back for a fifth year is something not many players get to experience. You understand the game much better and play with more confidence. You only get so long to play a sport like this, and I figured why not take the opportunity to play another year and look for jobs when I graduate in December.

What are your future plans? My future plans are to finally graduate college in December. Throughout this semester I have been applying for jobs all over the Northeast. So I plan to have a job in sales or finance by the time I graduate.

What kind of teammate is Chris Hartzell? Playing with Chris Hartzell has been awesome. He is one of the hardest workers on the team and plays at an extremely high level that sets the standard on our team. Although I wonder how he plays so well when his diet consists of Airheads, Cinnamon Toast Crunch and Oreos. I don’t know how he does it, but whatever floats his boat.

Phil Musick

What it’s like having a twin, especially one who is on the same team? Having a twin brother is really cool, especially since we get to practice against each other every day. Having Matt go to the same college as me was a huge advantage because it made the transition to college and college football much easier and more comfortable. It has also been very beneficial because when we are home for the summer and winter breaks, we push each other in our offseason training and practice drills together. Those drills can get heated at times, but having someone to train with is a huge advantage.

How have you improved since your freshman year? I have improved in a lot of aspects of the game. I have become a much smarter player. After coming from a very simple offense in high school, the playbook here was much harder to learn. It took me awhile, but I was able to catch on, and now I can adjust quickly on the field. I also like to think my athleticism has improved, although moving from the defensive line to the offensive line during my sophomore year would suggest the opposite.

What are your future plans? I want to become an actuary for an insurance company. If that doesn’t work out, my brothers and I have joked about opening up our own business; maybe a sub shop since we all have a passion for food, or an insurance company since Matt and I both have some experience in that industry. I also hope to get married, have kids, and own a boat and a big house on a lake where I can fish all the time.

What’s it like playing on the same line as Michael Porembski? Playing with Mike is really something. He is a good player who always works hard and knows his assignment on every play. Having him around makes other players better because he always brings the intensity level up. He always gives great effort and plays to the whistle. He is a good friend, and I hope our friendship does not become extinct after college.

Michael Porembski

How much of an honor was it being named first-team all-conference last season? It was a tremendous honor to be named to the first team. It was rewarding to know that all of the hard work paid off, and it was nice to get some recognition as an offensive lineman.

Do you prefer to run block or pass block, and why? Run block, for sure. You get to go after the defensive lineman and make his life difficult instead of sitting back and waiting for him. In run blocking, it’s more physicality and determination, while pass blocking is more about technique.

What are your future plans? After graduation, I will be working for an investment bank in New York City. After that, I have no idea. I’m just going to go with the flow.

What’s it like playing on the same line as Phil Musick? It’s always interesting playing on the line with Phil. He started out playing nose guard on defense, so I didn’t really like him when he first came over. Actually, I still don’t, to be honest. I’m kidding, of course. He’s a great competitor who always plays hard, but also enjoys joking around in practice. He’s one of the hardest-working kids and someone who always pushes the rest of us to be the best.