Wudarski helps Holy Cross to strong start with two 200-yard rushing games
By Steve Svetovich
Potent is the word to describe the Holy Cross Crusaders running game this season.
And with his twin brother Leland blocking from the fullback position, sophomore Aiden Wudarski has two games with over 200 yards rushing leading the much improved and surprising Holy Cross Crusaders to three wins in the team’s first five games under coach Joe Giorgio.
Aiden rushed for 230 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries in the team’s first win, 28-12, over Holy Redeemer, Saturday, Sept. 2.
He scrambled for 220 yards and three long touchdowns on 28 carries in the Crusaders third win of the season, 29-28, over Columbia-Montour Vo-Tech, Saturday, Sept. 23.
The sophomore standout scored on runs of 58, 62 and 64 yards in the win over Columbia-Montour Vo-Tech.
His third touchdown of the contest, a 64-yard scamper with 5:26 left in the fourth quarter, and Conor Farrell’s extra point kick gave Holy Cross the lead for good at 29-20.
“It was all the linemen,” said Aiden. “They were great blocking. I was able to read the holes nicely and the pitch was working. The linemen just paved the way for us.
“Every time they got closer, we just kept our heads high. We got on offense and just took it down the field for a TD.
“This is huge. No one expected us to go positive this year. But we are 3-2 and that’s all that matters.
“We have the three wins in the first five games. We just took it game by game and played hard. “It just happened.”
Son of Jennifer and Harley Wudarski, Aiden totaled 620 yards rushing and six touchdowns in the team’s first five games this season. He is averaging around eight yards per carry.
The explosive halfback talked about the success of his team thus far. “We play as a team,” he said. “We have a heart for this game. When it is bad, we pull ourselves together. We play as a unit. We are a team.
“Coach Giorgio teaches us to keep our heads up. He tells me vision is the key. He’s taught me and the team a lot.”
The quick sophomore said his parents teach him a lot. “They tell me to commit to anything I decide to do. And never quit.”
Aiden is a member of the TRUE Club and History Club at Holy Cross. He played basketball as a freshman and runs the 100 and 200 meter on the track and field team.
The sophomore stalwart played cornerback on defense last season. This year he is an outside linebacker. “It’s different,” he said. “I like it. It’s more physical.”
The scholar-athlete has a 3.6 academic grade point average. His best subject is English.
His personal goal is a 1,000-yard rushing season while maintaining a high academic grade point average.
He talked about what it takes to excel at the running back position in high school football.
“You need lots of strong vision and speed.”
With two games of over 200 yards rushing in his pocket, Aiden is feeling pretty good. “It feels great,” he said. “I’m grateful for it. It does not happen very often. I give a lot of credit to my brother and the offensive line for the great blocking.”
Well spoken and enthusiastic, Aiden said he likes listening to music in his spare time. He would like to see Drake and Travis Scott in concert.
Aiden, who played wide receiver last season, said he is not sure about his college choice, but wants to continue playing football. “Playing college football is in my future plans,” he said. “But I have no clue where yet.”
Hard-working and articulate, he is enjoying his time at Holy Cross.
“It’s very good for academics,” he said. “School is great. I’ve made a lot of friends. We are getting this football team going. We are going to do what is needed to get to the top.
“We want to play our hearts out and finish positive.
“We will never give up. We’ll never quit.”