by Frank Aceto

Associate Sports Editor

Hudson senior quarterback Richie Piekarski had no problem dissecting defenses during the 2009 season.

Unfortunately, the standout four-year varsity player had one issue he couldn’t control.

That would be the weather.

The latter part of the season turned just about every field into a quagmire on Friday nights, thanks to the constant rain and chilly temperatures.

As a result, Piekarski had to keep his golden right arm under wraps a number of times and use other body parts —particularly his legs — to lead the Explorers.

Thankfully, the poor weather conditions didn’t stop him from winning. 

And they didn’t stop him from continuing his football career on the collegiate level.

Piekarski signed a national letter of intent to continue his academic and football careers at Duquesne University, a Division I Football Championship Subdivision program located in Pittsburgh.

Fortunately for Piekarski, the weather didn’t cost him a chance to continue playing the sport he loves.

“It was frustrating,” he said. “It seemed like it rained on Friday nights the last five or six weeks of the season.

“It’s different when you’re a quarterback. It doesn’t really affect a lineman or the other players. As a quarterback, it was tough to showcase my skills because of the weather.”

It didn’t seem like it.

Piekarski, who was part of the varsity program since he enrolled at Hudson, was a third-team All-Ohio choice and the Northeast Ohio Conference River Division’s Most Valuable Player in 2009.

He led the team with 877 yards rushing and 16 rushing touchdowns and completed 88-of-146 passes for 1,162 yards and seven more scores.

Piekarski ended his career as the school’s all-time leader in passing yards (2,094) and total offense (3,377).

“His stats would have been a lot better if the weather was better,” Explorers head coach Tom Narducci said.

Piekarski guided Hudson to an 8-2 record in 2009. The Explorers just missed the Division I playoffs by an eyelash.

“It was disappointing,” Piekarski said. “Our goal was to get to the playoffs. But I had a great time. All of us liked each other. There were no cliques. It was the most fun I’ve ever had.”

Piekarski, a standout point guard on Hudson’s basketball team, could also see some time on the hardwood at Duquesne.

“Basketball actually is my first love,” he said.

For now, though, Piekarski will concentrate on football at Duquesne, which finished 3-8 overall and 2-6 in the Northeast Conference in 2009.

Piekarski, a lifelong Pittsburgh Steelers’ fan, chose Duquesne over another Pittsburgh school, Robert Morris University. He also considered the University of Dayton, Ashland University and the College of Holy Cross College (Mass.).

“Duquesne just felt more comfortable,” Piekarski said.

A little bit of family history may have played a role in his decision, too.

Two of Piekarski’s uncles, Bill and Dave Piekarski, played basketball at Duquesne. Another uncle, Gene, also graduated from Duquesne.

The younger Piekarski liked Duquesne’s game plan, too. Duquesne uses the spread offense — an offense Piekarski has been running since he was in eighth grade.

“My eighth-grade coach, Jeff Hildebrand, installed the spread and then we decided to use it when I was a freshman,” he said. “I’ve been familiar with it for the last five years, but I also know I have room for improvement.”

Narducci knew he had a gem when he first laid eyes on Piekarski, who became the starting quarterback as a junior after a successful two years as a defensive back.

“He’s a great athlete and a hard worker,” he said. “He was one of our better leaders. He was verbal and vocal. That’s something you don’t often see.”

Piekarski is expected to compete for the starting quarterback’s job right away.

“I have high goals,” he said. “I just want to be the best I can be both on campus and off. I want to be the good guy on campus and get along with everyone.”

That shouldn’t be a problem. Just ask his former coach.

“There isn’t anyone who comes any better than Richie,” Narducci said.

E-mail: faceto@recordpub.com

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