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Times reporter Bob Condotta keeps the news coming about the Montlake Dawgs.

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November 9, 2006 3:49 PM

More on new-found seniors

UW coach Tyrone Willingham just addressed us here a few minutes ago to further explain the fact that five players who have been listed as juniors all season are suddenly listed as seniors.

That means they will take part in Senior Day ceremonies Saturday and will almost certainly not return next season.

The five are safety Chris Hemphill, receiver Marlon Wood, kicker Michael Braunstein, defensive back Durrell Moss and offensive lineman William Kava.

Hemphill, Wood and Braunstein are obviously the most surprising names on the list given their contribution to the team this season.

Wood, Willingham said, should have been listed as a senior all along, saying he is a senior in terms of eligibility because he started a four-year school, transferred to a JC, then came to UW last year.

As for the others, Willingham explained that his policy is that fifth years have to be earned and that his players understand that.

"With our program, the opportunity for a fifth year is an honor and a privilege,'' Willingham said.

"When we started our program we talked to our team about the fact that a fifth-year is not something that is guaranteed, you have to earn the right for that fifth year. That means you've got to be a player, got to be a student got to be a citizen and all the things we've talked about in our program. ... One of the things we've talked about is that as a fifth-year senior you have to be a leader, you have to be bringing this football team some leadership and that's important. So I will factor in all of those things in those decisions.''

He said there is a chance that a couple of the players could be back but that for now it is best to assume they won't be and let them be honored as a senior.

According to Scout.com, the Huskies have a commitment from a high school kicker, EriK Folk --- who is the brother of Arizona kicker Nick Folk --- which will apparently fill the hole left by Braunstein.

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