West Chester Henderson

By Nate Heckenberger

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WEST CHESTER -- The most impressive thing about the successful Ches-Mont League programs is how the squads, for the most part, do the same things year after year and are still very efficient.

West Chester Henderson may be the poster child of that ideal.

Opposing coaches hardly have to watch film to create their game plans. The Warriors are going to run their veer and midline options on offense and they’re going to play a physical style on defense.

With four straight playoff appearances, why change now? The difference this year is Henderson’s move back into Class AAAA after winning three games in the AAA playoffs the last two seasons.

“We have a lot of talented kids trying to fill in some places,” coach Steve Mitten said. “We’re trying to strengthen up each position. We have some strong kids and a lot of people who are getting ready to play. It’s a matter of seeing who makes plays in the scrimmages.”

Three spots that aren’t open for competition are held by dual-sided linemen Bryan White, Jeff Hudson and James McDonald. White, a four-year starter on offense and three-year on ‘D’, is a Villanova commit. McDonald, starting for his third season, really came into his own on the offensive side of the ball last season.

Sam Vogel is a returning starter at linebacker and will be joined by Tre Green, Noah Richard, Nick Rizzo and Jack Dingfelder in the back seven.

Green, who many expected to breakout as a junior after a 160-yard performance in the playoffs the year before, carried the ball just 60 times in the regular season last fall. With the graduation of fullback Garrett Girafalco, expect Green to be a more prominent part of the offense. Senior Cole Bement will take Girafalco’s spot.

Rushing wasn’t the issue last season, as the Warriors averaged 250 ground yards per game. It was the passing game -- a league worst 23 pass yards per game -- that hindered Henderson when they found an early deficit.

Matt Dinacci ran the option well as a sophomore, and according to Mitten, the pass game has been an area of focus this offseason.

“It’s something we worked on all spring.” Mitten said. “We had a good turnout. We’d come over Sunday nights and throw a little bit. It hasn’t been a strength for us and we’re working hard to try and improve it.”

Mitten has also added some competition to the quarterback position, giving Richard reps all offseason. Expect both to see time under center at spots this season.

“It’s a nice problem to have, having two guys who can play the position,” Mitten said. “It’s been very effective to have some competition and whoever plays best is gonna be our quarterback.”

To go along with the always-challenging National Division slate, Henderson has to travel to Unionville and will host West Chester Rustin, as well a tricky Saturday morning season-opener at Chester.