Rick O'Brien: QB is behind C.B. West’s resurgence

Growing up in Doylestown in the 1990s, Ward Udinski had a front-and-center seat at War Memorial Field during Central Bucks West's glory days. "I remember how West pretty much dominated every team that came here," he said.

From 1990 to '99, the Bucks, under coaching legend Mike Pettine, compiled a 177-9 record (a .952 winning percentage) and claimed PIAA Class AAAA state championships, in undefeated fashion, in '91, '97, '98 and '99.

Udinski, C.B. West's third-year starter at quarterback, is following in the footsteps of dynasty-era signal-callers like Mike Orihel (1998-2000), Corey Potter (1997), Travis Blomgren (1995-96), Ben Snyder (1993-94), and Greg Moylan (1990-91).

"A lot of the quarterbacks during that time were versatile, could throw and run with the ball," the 17-year-old said. "I think I'm in that same mold."

The 6-foot-2, 205-pound Udinski has helped spark the Bucks to their first 2-0 start since 2001, when they opened with victories over St. Joseph's Prep and former Suburban One League National Conference rival Abington.

C.B. West went 1-10 last season, 3-7 in 2008, and 2-8 in '07. In 2004, the last season before Central Bucks South opened and cut into their enrollment, the Bucks went 9-2 and earned the Suburban One League American Conference crown.

"We're real excited," Udinski said. "Winning the first two games definitely changes the atmosphere surrounding the team, on the field and at school. There were times last year when it was tough going to practice."

On Friday night at William Tennent, Udinski completed 5 of 9 passes for 101 yards and two scores, with one interception, in a 49-7 triumph. Both of his touchdown throws, covering 35 and 22 yards, were to slotback Oskar Duva.

In the opener against visiting Upper Dublin, a 42-28 victory, the senior captain hit on 15 of 24 throws for 196 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for two scores.

"His number-one attribute is his leadership," second-year coach Brian Hensel said. "He does, and the kids follow. That's really nice to have."

Udinski's top targets are Duva; 6-4, 195-pound wideout Bill Bell; and 6-2, 240-pound tight end Max Stella. Bell had five receptions for 103 yards and a score versus Upper Dublin.

Tailback Rashaad Williams, the offensive catalyst, has rushed 27 times for 270 yards and four touchdowns. Despite suffering a separated shoulder in Week 1, the speedster played against Tennent with the aid of a harness, and gained 160 yards and two scores on 17 carries.

C.B. West's improved 33-stack defense is led by middle linebacker Joe DiStefano, rotating noseguards Dan Sergeyev and Anthony Ponente, end Leighton Hayes, and stack linebacker Mike Emery.

Udinski's parents, Jim and Kerry, graduated from C.B. West in 1983. Jim was a quarterback and defensive back, and Kerry was a cheerleader.

Udinski's brother Grant is a freshman receiver and outside linebacker for the Bucks. The youngest of the boys, 12-year-old Reece, plays football for the Lenape Valley Indians.

Over the summer, Ward Udinski, a defensive midfielder in lacrosse, went to quarterback camps at Penn, Georgetown, and Lehigh. He plans to take unofficial visits to Penn and Stony Brook.

Formidable foe. In its 35-7 romp over St. Joseph's Prep Saturday at Rutgers Stadium, St. Peter's Prep, ranked No. 19 in the country by USA Today, held the Hawks to 102 yards of total offense.

For the Marauders, quick-footed tailback Savon Huggins, a Division I-A recruit with 20-plus scholarship offers, carried 28 times for 168 yards and three touchdowns. Quarterback Brandon Napoleon added 50 yards on eight attempts.

St. Joe's Prep quarterback Skyler Mornhinweg completed 9 of 19 passes for 63 yards, including a 16-yard touchdown to halfback Mark Casale (14 carries for 60 yards). Wideout Paul McGann had five catches for 27 yards.

Roman-Malvern. In Roman Catholic's 34-21 nonleague win over Malvern Prep Saturday, Malvern junior quarterback Tommy Rumer threw for a school-record 317 yards and three touchdowns. Wideout Mike Bolte had six receptions for 206 yards, also a school single-game record, and second-quarter scores of 62 and 80 yards. . . . For the Friars, linebacker Joe Nilan notched a team-high 10 tackles, including three solo stops. Fellow linebacker Ed Morris and safety JoJo Rava were each involved in seven tackles. . . . For Roman, strong safety Chris Cruz posted eight tackles, including five solos and a third-quarter sack, in the final 22 minutes. Linebackers Jack Foley, Dan Pellicciotti and Abdur Basil combined for 14 tackles. . . . Roman's Dennis Regan, a two-way back, sat out most of the second half due to cramping. Teammate Kerry Shields, an offensive tackle, missed the game with a sprained right ankle. . . . The contest was played at Henderson's Oscar J. Dicks Stadium because Malvern's Deacon Field is being refurbished, with artificial turf as the new surface.

Judge-Northeast. Harold Alexander, one of three sophomore quarterbacks for Northeast, suffered a mild concussion (the result of a roughing-the-passer penalty) in the third quarter of Friday's 7-0 loss to visiting Father Judge. He will be reevaluated Monday by a Temple Sports Medicine physician. Starter David Pulliam (separation of non-throwing elbow) is expected to miss at least another week, with Marc Prompt getting the call Friday at Bartram. . . . Vikings stalwart end Deion Barnes, a 6-5, 220-pounder, flip-flopped between the left and right sides, registering nine tackles, a hurry and blocked punt. . . . Judge's Eric Condron, a junior defensive tackle, had 11/2 sacks. . . . For the Crusaders, 5-11, 306-pound junior Evan Wildsmith filled in at left tackle for Idris Harmon (ankle injury).