By Steve Svetovich
The Holy Cross Crusaders football team brings back most of its starters, giving the team plenty of hope for a solid season.
Holy Cross football coach Joe Giorgio returns for his fifth season.
And if the team’s opening day home win over Montrose, 48-12, on Saturday, August 24, is any indication, then this could be a very successful season for the Crusaders.
A pair of brothers, backs Leland and Aiden Wudarski, combined to score four touchdowns in the opening day win over Montrose.
Fullback Leland Wudarski totaled 97 yards rushing and scored two touchdowns in the win over Montrose. His brother Aiden rushed for 83 yards, added 33 yards receiving and scored two touchdowns.
Holy Cross quarterback Josh Lentowski completed 3 of 5 passes for 102 yards and one touchdown.
“It was a nice win,” said coach Giorgio. “We are going to try to keep it going.”
Returning starters this season for Holy Cross include 5-11, 180-pound senior quarterback/safety Josh Lentowski; 5-10, 185-pound junior running back/linebacker Aiden Wudarsk; 5-10, 185-pound junior fullback/linebacker Leland Wudarsk; 5-10, 185-pound senior wide receiver/defensive back Freddy Ceccacci; 5-10, 170-pound senior wide receiver/defensive back Austin Bicking; 6-2, 290-pound junior offensive and defensive lineman Branden Fadl; 6-2, 225-pound junior offensive and defensive lineman Gregg Novak; 5-10, 245-pound senior offensive and defensive lineman Calder Lehman; 6-1, 190-pound junior offensive and defensive lineman Simon Madore; 5-9, 170-pound senior tight end/linebacker David Jennings; 6-0, 175-pound junior linebacker Kevin Vincent, and 5-10, 185-pound junior defensive back Henry Chilewski.
Vincent was a District 2 champion in track and field and honorable mention all-star in football.
The assistant coaches are Chris Coviello, Jake Gatto, Duncan Coolican, Mike Giorgio, Jim Tallarico, Gene Pane and Vince Coviello.
Coach Giorgio feels the team’s experience should lead to positive outcomes this season. The Crusaders were 3-7 last year.
“After playing all underclassmen last year,” he said, “we believe the experience the kids gained is going to make us more competitive and hopefully lead to some additional wins. We need to stay healthy and take each game one at a time.
“Josh Lentowski returns for his second season as our starting quarterback. Last year was his first season playing the position and he improved each week. We are expecting big things from him this year.
“Our running game should be the strength of our offense as we return Aiden Wudarski who rushed for over 800 yards and scored seven touchdowns last year. We also return four of our five linemen who now have a year of experience under their belt.
“Defensively, the leader of the defense is Leland Wudaraki who returns as middle linebacker. With the return of John Elko, who missed the 2023 season due to injury, we expect to be a much improved unit.”
Elko, a senior, is returning from a concussion he suffered two years ago. He sat out his junior year. He is excited about his return after overcoming several obstacles and receiving medical clearance to play.
Ceccacci returns as the team’s leading receiver with seven catches for 114 yards last season.
Lentowski threw for 272 yards and three touchdowns last season. He was an honorable mention all-star in the secondary last season.
“I think we are going to continue showing improvement this season,” said coach Giorgio. “These kids have experience now. We will try.”