On Wednesday, May 31, 2023, Quakertown seniors Nick Laudenberger, Vinny Pellegrini, John Eatherton & Michael Richino were recognized for committing to play collegiate football. (Photos provided courtesy of Jennifer Banas/Quakertown HS).
John Eatherton – Ithaca College (Football)
Major: Business Management
Final list of colleges: Ithaca, Holy Cross
Reasons for choosing Ithaca: “Great football, great campus, great area, and it’s close to family.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in football at the collegiate level? “I have always thought about playing college football ever since I was little. It really took into effect middle of my junior year. I had a couple of D3 schools reach out to me, and it kind of set it at that point that this is really what I was going to be doing.”
Coach George Banas says: “John Eatherton is going to Ithaca. We’ve had quite a run of kids that went to Ithaca, and they’re all just phenomenal athletes. John has made some phenomenal plays over the past three years for us, and he’s been an all-league selection for three years. He’s just a real athletic kid who was hindered this year by injury coming into the season, so he missed a couple of games early and then came in and really helped spark that midseason stretch but then got banged up late in the season with a knee injury. Hopefully, all that stuff is out of the way, and he can hit the ground running up at Ithaca. They’re excited to have him. Just a great family, a great personality – he is the kid next door that you would love to see be a part of your family. I think they’re going to have a tug-of-war when he gets to Ithaca. He might go up there as a running back/slot, but I think the defensive coaches up there are going to want him to play some safety and drop down to be that outside linebacker/safety up there because he’s so versatile, not to mention they can use him in the return game right away too.
About John:
Favorite food: Seafood – crab
Favorite movie: Fast & Furious 4
Favorite artist: Bob Marley
Nick Laudenberger – King’s College (Football)
Major: Business
Reasons for choosing King’s: “Great education and coaching staff.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in football at the collegiate level? “I wanted to play football in college ever since I was in QMFA because I like playing the sport.”
George Banas says: “Nick Laudenberger is a throwback like a Chuck Bednarik type kid. He popped his shoulder out – I don’t know how many times this year – and just popped it back in and kept playing. He’s the opposite of Vinny (Pellegrini) personality-wise. You wouldn’t even know he’s there – he just works and grinds. He came off the field at Thanksgiving, and his ring finger was pointing sideways, and he said, ‘I think something’s wrong.’ The trainer said – it’s dislocated. He popped it back in, and he was back in playing the next play. Didn’t even tape it back up.”
About Nick:
Favorite food: Pizza
Favorite TV show: Breaking Bad
Favorite music: All music
Vincent Pellegrini – Delaware Valley University (Football)
Major: Turf Management
Final list of colleges: Del Val, King’s College, Widener, Wilkes, Ithaca, Susquehanna
Reasons for choosing Del Val: “Del Val is close to home, and my friends and family can come to all my home games. The atmosphere fit what I wanted, and it worked out best financially.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in football at the collegiate level? “Recruiting started in my junior year coming off the amazing season that we had for football. I didn’t start thinking about playing in college until I had schools reaching out to me saying I would be coming to some of their practices and having official visits.”
Coach George Banas says: “Vinny has an awesome personality – just that bubbly offensive lineman. Prototypical of that position – always had a smile on his face, always made you laugh. You tried to get mad at him, but it was hard. His skill set as far as how fast his feet were, how good his hands are – he’s an exceptional baseball player, so his hand-eye coordination is phenomenal, and that transitions to the offensive line where he really has to position his hands very well to keep the defensive line from getting behind the line of scrimmage. His size, and again, his footwork was really, really good this year. Defensively, having that quick foot speed, getting off the ball and making plays on defense as well helped us out. When stress got built up, he could always make us laugh and could make the situation a little more calm.”
About Vinny:
Favorite food: Buffalo Chicken Dip
Favorite movie: The Blind Side
Favorite music: Rap
Michael Richino – King’s College (Football)
Major: Criminal Justice
Reasons for choosing King’s College: “The family bond they have in their football program.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in football at the collegiate level? “I thought of playing college football about four months ago when a couple of friends talked me into playing football. It started with me asking Coach B how to start the entire process.”
Coach Goerge Banas says: “Michael Richino came back out for football as a senior. He wasn’t starting, and all of a sudden, we transitioned big time after week four and put him in as one of the starting defensive linemen, and he succeeded like you wouldn’t believe to the point where he was like – ‘I love this game, I love being part of the team and the program,’ and he’s going to be playing in college after coming back and playing this year. He earned his position through those four weeks of working hard.”
About Michael:
Favorite food: Wings
Favorite TV show: The Office
Favorite music: Country
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