[tps_title]West Chester Henderson Warriors [/tps_title]
West Chester Henderson’s Jay Pierce is a returning running back that will see a lot of action as a senior. (Nate Heckenberger – For MediaNews Group)
Laudato, Keegan help Warriors move on after coach’s abrupt departure
WEST CHESTER >> The 2018 season was not kind to the West Chester Henderson Warriors as the once proud program stumbled to an 0-10 record.
To make matters even trickier, Warriors head coach Stephan Adams resigned a month before summer practice started, leaving the Warriors without a head coach with summer practice and the season bearing down.
But in stepped interim head coach John Lunardi, who was Adams’ defensive coordinator last season and Lunardi says although Adams’ resignation was a shock, the Henderson football family has moved on.
MORE: Henderson’s Lunardi seamlessly stepping in after abrupt departure of Adams
“We have put it behind us and we are looking to improve on the scoreboard and on the field this season,” Lunardi said. “You are ultimately judged by what the scoreboard says, but we are also looking for improvement within the game. We are using some things Stefan brought in like a big commitment to the weight room.
“The kids started lifting last November just two days after our season ended,” Lunardi said. “They have worked very hard and they want to put last season behind us, and the way you really put 0-10 behind you is to come out on Friday night and execute and play with a lot of emotion.
“It just comes down to doing work and getting after it and we intend to do that this season,” Lunardi said. “I think the kids took a big step up by their work ethic over the offseason and we hope to be better this year.
“I think an area of strength for us is our defensive line,” Lunardi said. “We have Jordan Laudato and Quinn Keegan up there and the line played well at times last season and they have improved over the offseason.”
West Chester Henderson’s Jordan Laudato hopes to take the next step in his progression at tight end and defensive end. (Nate Heckenberger – For MediaNews Group)
With Laudato, a junior already having two Division 1 offers from Villanova and William & Mary, Lunardi knows his 6-foot-5 defensive end will be getting a lot of attention from opposing teams.
“Jordan has all the measurables that’s for sure,” Lunardi said. “And he had a great summer camp and he knows what areas he has to improve on and he is going to do just that. And Quinn had a real solid season for us and he will be a key on both the D-line and the O-line.”
Keegan, also a junior, is very excited to get the season rolling, and he says the transition from Adams to Lunardi was a seamless one.
“When coach Adams left, coach Lunardi took right over and it was okay with us because we all knew that he knows what he is doing,” Keegan said. “We became closer as a team because we have been lifting together since last November. We have a whole lot better chemistry this season compared to last season.”
Besides playing the Ches-Mont American Division schedule, West Chester Henderson will play Coatesville and Downingtown East.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Quinn Keegan >> Offensive Line
Keegan plays offensive guard, along with defensive line, and he is a very adept run blocker for the Henderson offense.
Jordan Laudato >> Defensive End
The 6-foot 5, 255-pound junior is very quick off the ball and will be a key to Henderson’s success at stopping opposing running games.
By Pete DiGiovanni; pdigiovanni07@gmail.com
