CRANBERRY TWP — Whatever level of success North Catholic's football team meets with this season, you can be sure that seniors Carson Laconi and Joey Prentice will have a major say in it.

The former is entering his fourth season as a starter in North's secondary. He played cornerback as a freshman and sophomore before switching to safety last season.

Prentice will start at safety for the third straight season and is coming off a great junior campaign at quarterback. In his first year starting there, he accounted for 28 touchdowns (16 passing, 12 rushing), throwing for over 1,200 yards and rushing for 568 more.

Laconi, a Butler resident, also hopes to be a key factor in the Trojans' offensive plans as he is set to start at wideout. He saw time at the position last year, but is expected to get more opportunities in the passing game. His athletic ability, coupled with a keen knowledge of the game, should translate well to that side of the ball.

“Carson has played a tremendous amount of games for us and yet, I had to remind myself that he's a senior,” said North coach Patrick O'Shea. “He doesn't get out-worked by anybody and he understands the game so well. He runs the show for us defensively, makes all of our calls and checks.

“We moved him to safety (last year) because we wanted to have flexibility, give him more chances to play against the run.”

Which was no problem for Laconi, who relishes the contact.

“Hit or be hit, my dad taught me that,” he said. “I love hitting people.”

Opponents find that out the hard way.

“He had some hits last year, I'm sure some people saw them on highlight reels,” O'Shea said. “There's nothing we have ever asked him to do that he hasn't done at a high level.”

However, Laconi just recently got back into playing shape after he received a major scare in early May.

While playing for North's lacrosse team, he sustained a hit that ruptured his spleen. He underwent emergency surgery to have it removed.

Then came the rehab.

“For a while, all I could do was walk, but I tried to do it every day,” Laconi said. “Then it was about getting my core strength back. That's important in any sport. It was just within the last few weeks that I felt my best.

“I have no soreness, no sign of fatigue,” said Laconi. “Just a big scar on my stomach.”

He is one of a number of teammates who strive to help Prentice have another big year on offense.

“He has a lot of options,” said Laconi. “I think we're all looking forward to it.”

O'Shea sees last season as a huge step forward for Prentice, not just due to the numbers he put up.

“With all of the uncertainty surrounding COVID, the way he dealt with things last year, he has really matured as a player and a person,” he said. “He has a lot of confidence in himself and his teammates to make plays.”

But even Prentice admits there were some tense moments for him this time last year.

“I remember being a little scared going into last season,” said Prentice, who didn't let those misgivings prevent him from a superb debut. He passed for four touchdowns and rushed for two in a season-opening win over Derry.

“The season didn't end well with getting shut out (17-0 against Elizabeth-Forward in the playoffs), but we've all been putting in a lot of work, both together and on our own,” Prentice said.

And make no mistake: Prentice does not start at safety simply because his team needs him there.

“I love it!,” he exclaimed. “There's no way I'm not playing on defense this season.”

Laconi and Prentice both hope to play in college. Laconi has an offer on the table from Bucknell University. But their current focus is helping to make 2021 a season to remember for North Catholic ... and even affecting the future of the program.

They've both helped North to a record of 26-5 over the last three years.

“I've been part of something special here,” Laconi said. “I looked up to the seniors when I was a freshman. Now the young kids are looking up to us. We're trying to be role models for them.”