Raider gridders move on
JACKSON TWP — Seneca Valley seniors Eric Hudanick and Jack Cook both made it official to extend their football careers last Friday.
Signing their letters of intent next to each other was icing on the cake.
Hudanick, an offensive lineman and Cook, a quarterback/defensive back, will be playing at California (Pa.) University and the University of Dayton, respectively.
The two have played together since they were 7-years-old.
“We're best friends,” said Cook, “so it was nice having him there.”
Cook posted a stellar season at quarterback for the Raiders last fall, passing for over 2,000 yards and 18 touchdowns while rushing for more than 600 yards and 13 more scores in leading the Raiders to the WPIAL Class 6A title game at Heinz Field.
He was recruited by Dayton as an athlete and could see time at wide receiver, quarterback or safety. His play at safety for the Raiders earned him second team all-state honors in Class 6A in 2016.
“My sophomore year at Seneca Valley, T.J. Holl was our quarterback and I knew I had to learn another position to get on the field,” said Cook. “I ended up starting a few games at safety that season. At Dayton, I want to make an impact as soon as I can.”
“Jack is just an outstanding athlete,” said former SV coach Dave Vestal. “The game slows down for him and I know he'll do great at Dayton.”
Dayton, a Division I-AA program, is under the direction of head coach Rick Chamberlin, who has guided the Flyers to a 74-27 record in his nine seasons. Dayton was 9-2 last fall, ending the regular season on a seven-game winning streak.
The Flyers compete in the Pioneer Football League, which includes, among other schools, the University of San Diego and two schools in Florida — Jacksonville University and Stetson University.
For Cook, the warm-weather destinations are a bonus to signing with Dayton.
“It's going to be an awesome experience,” he said. “I visited Dayton in mid-January and loved the campus and the team. I just felt that is where I fit in the best.”
Chamberlin was unable to comment specifically on Cook, but said of the recruiting class as a whole, “I'm very pleased at the number of quality young men that we were able to bring to the University of Dayton. We really addressed needs in terms of depth on the offensive line and in the secondary. It's a typical Dayton class, which means that we are proud to say that they are typically outstanding. They are quality students, quality athletes and quality leaders.”
As SV's starting left tackle, Hudanick protected Cook's blind side the past two seasons.California head coach Gary Dunn likes the potential versatility Hudanick brings to the table.“We believe that Eric has the ability to be able to play multiple positions on the offensive line,” he replied in an e-mail interview. “Once we get him to campus, we will figure out what position best suits Eric. He was very well-coached in high school and is going to have a chance to compete for playing time in his first year.”“I was told I will learn every position on the line,” said Hudanick. “It's always good to know all the positions. It will increase my chance of getting playing time.”In his first season of leading the Vulcans last fall, Dunn coached the team to an 11-1 record and an appearance in the third round of the NCAA Division II playoffs.Hudanick also entertained offers from Duquesne University as well as several other PSAC schools.“The difference for me was I was Cal's first priority,” he said. “They kept in contact with me the whole time.”While impressed with Hudanick's physical talent, Vestal also liked an important intangible he displayed the last couple of seasons.“He has a mean streak to him,” he said. “Starting since his junior year, the other guys looked at him as a leader last season. He brought cohesiveness to the line, which is very important.”Seneca Valley has turned out a lot of talented players on the gridiron over the years. But only two of its teams — 1989 and 2016 — played for a district championship.Cook and Hudanick are proud to be included in that exclusive list. They helped the Raiders rebound from three lopsided defeats during the regular season.“It was a roller coaster ride,” said Hudanick, “but it was one of the best teams I've ever been a part of. Getting to Heinz Field, it was crazy.”
