SENIOR WEEKS: A final season would be icing on the cake for West Chester East’s Carozza
Even if Joe Carozza never plays another game in a West Chester East uniform, the senior has already made a significant mark.
The coronavirus pandemic may force the outright cancelation of his final lacrosse season. But it can’t take away historic championship runs in both football and lacrosse that probably wouldn’t have happened if not for Carozza’s significant contribution.
“East athletics as a whole has gotten so much better since my class and the class above got here,” Carozza said.
A year ago, he scored 43 goals and dished out 28 assists to help power the Vikings to their first outright Ches-Mont boys’ lacrosse crown in 30 years. And then last fall, as two-way starter, Carozza helped East capture its first Ches-Mont division football title in 13 years.
“Joe’s stature is that of a Mack truck,” said Vikings’ lacrosse coach Jim Shorn.
Carozza packed 245-pounds on his 5-foot-9 frame last fall as an offensive lineman/linebacker. He is now around 230 pounds and poised for a monster lacrosse season.
“I definitely feel like I am in the best shape of my life,” he said. “The previous three seasons I wasn’t the main guy. We still have good players around, but I feel like the offense was on my shoulders, so I have to be ready.
“We only have four or five seniors on the team. But we have a lot of good sophomores and juniors. If they work hard we could do something special – if we have a season.”
A four-year starter, Carozza was projected to be the top attacker in the Ches-Mont, a strong contender for All-American accolades, and the co-favorite to be the league MVP along with Avon Grove defender James Chastain.
“Joe plays the game a different way than most top-tier guys,” Shorn explained. “You cannot knock Joe off his line, he has tremendous body control, his vision and lacrosse IQ are superior, and he shoots a heavy shot.
“Joe’s release point is much earlier than most which makes it very hard to read where the ball is going. While being this extremely strong and physical player, he has soft hands and is a great playmaker.”
Unable to practice right now, Carozza spends a good portion of every day working out before heading to the backyard for shooting drills.
“Since I was in kindergarten, every day this time of year was either practicing or playing,” he said. “So not doing that now is kind of weird.”
Joe is the son of West Chester East swimming coach Beth Ann Carozza. His sister, Ann, is a former East star and is now a competitive swimmer at West Chester. He swam until about sixth grade, and wasn’t the least bit sorry when he moved on to football and lacrosse.
“My mom kind of made me do it so I would have something to do,” he said. “But once football started in seventh grade, that was the end of swimming.
“I also have three cousins that were All Americans at WCU. And my mom swam at Delaware. A lot of people swim in my family, but it’s not for me.”
In preparation for his senior season and beyond, Carozza played five-on-five indoor box lacrosse this winter. He has already signed on to play collegiately at Division III powerhouse Salisbury (Md.).
“My mom and I had a catch every day of high school after she would come home from work or practice. She’s always kind of pushed me to be the best,” he said.
“Joe is a junkyard dog on the field,” Shorn added. “I’ve been coaching for 31 years and he is in my top three all-time offensive players I’ve ever coached.”
Carozza says he has been texting his teammates every day, urging them to get out and stay in shape just in case the PIAA decides to stage an abridged season this spring. “I was really looking forward to playing my last (high school) season with my friends,” he said.
