Vicente's time has come
JACKSON TWP — Last year, Pete Vicente could only watch as Seneca Valley's passing attack took hold.
This season, he's one of the reasons it's better than ever.
A 6-foot-2, 165-pound junior wideout, Vicente is second on the team in receptions (13), receiving yards (241) and touchdown catches (2).
Both touchdowns came from 50 yards out in last week's win at Baldwin.
He also grabbed nine catches for 117 yards in Week 1 against Norwin.
"Pete's a very smart kid and he's eager to learn," said SV wide receivers coach Lance Erdos, who has been with the team for four years. "I can put him in any one of the five receiver spots and he doesn't miss a beat."
Vicente's numbers have helped teammate and senior quarterback C.J. Brown pass for 873 yards and six touchdowns so far in 2008.
"I knew we had C.J. coming back this year at quarterback and Matt (Plautz) as our top receiver," Vicente said. "But I just told myself to work hard and see where it takes me."
But behind his emergence as a legitimate threat on a potent offense is a comeback story: Vicente was a quarterback until last summer.
"Coach (Ron) Butschle said he liked the way I ran my routes, so I switched to receiver," he said. "I got in on special teams the first few games, but got injured in the third game and missed the rest of the season."
When Vicente tore the labrum in his left shoulder, the injury not only cost him the rest of his sophomore football season, it also kept Vicente out during basketball and baseball seasons.
The experience has him taking nothing for granted.
"It feels great being on the field and making plays," he said. "It stinks when you're on the sidelines, not able to play or help the team."
The Raiders' passing attack also features leading receiver Plautz (24 catches for 414 yards and four touchdowns).
Evan Hetzel, Tyler Mack, Dustin Anewalt and Ryan Thomas have combined for 22 receptions for 215 yards.
"Having different guys who can catch the ball gives defenses something else to think about," said Butschle. "C.J. feels confident throwing to all of those guys. They're all viable threats, and Pete's part of that."
Brown is averaging nearly 20 completions per game and the Raiders' offense is scoring over 31 points per contest.
It might seem easy for high school players to become too confident with such numbers, but Vicente insists that he and his teammates have remained grounded.
"Every week, we have a motto: 'Let's go 1-0 this week,'" said Vicente, who plans to play basketball and baseball this school year. "We know if we don't work hard, things may not click for us."
