In seventh and eighth grade, Caden Henritzy was a ball boy for the varsity football team, and he watched Tyrese Brandon and Josh Gaycheck make their mark as running backs in the annals of Northampton football.

Henritzy envisioned he would someday play the role of a feature running back in the Konkrete Kids’ offense.

“I remember watching them and wishing I was them one day,” recalled Henritzy. “I remember how they ran, and I have tried to implement what they did into my game.”

Fortunately for him, Henritzy’s time has come in his sophomore season this year.

“As I got older, I always dreamed about playing on varsity,” Henritzy added. “I have been playing in the NAA since I was 8-years-old. I knew I had to prove myself.”

The 6-foot-2, 195-pound Henritzy attributes his success to the help of his teammates, but he also has found his mark due to a rigid offseason program. Their dedication has been heightened with the recent passing of offensive coordinator Mike Gurdineer.

“The line had done a great job for me,” stressed Henritzy. “We all have been working hard to get better, and we realize what we can do. I did a lot of lifting in the offseason and put on 30 pounds. But we put the emphasis on speed this summer rather than lifting. You can see the difference. We wanted to come out and set the tone and beat Beca.

“We know coach (Gurdineer) is watching over us, and we always have him in mind in everything we do. (Head) Coach (John) Toman gives us a great game plan and he has kept us focused.”

Toman is excited about Henritzy’s future.

“Caden is a good, young physical running back,” said Toman. “His biggest positive is his physical style of running.

“He needs to continue to develop his vision while he is running. That will come from experience and seeing the field in front of him. The sky’s the limit for him.”

Henritzy has been inspired by his athletic family. His father, Chad, is an offensive line coach at Northampton, and his mother, Kristy, is the head softball coach for the Kids.

“It’s super structured,” said Henritzy of his family life. “My parents are always on top of things, and they hold me accountable.

“They have helped me along the way, and it has helped that my dad is the line coach.

“My mom has done a great job, and I am proud of her. She is always a super-motivated, and super-supportive person. My whole family really has been supportive.”

Henritzy has been playing with the same group of sophomore teammates since his early youth. One of his fondest memories is winning the 140-pound championship three years ago.

He once played baseball, but turned all of his attention to football. So far, things have worked out.

Henritzy and his teammates believe they can be a major force in the EPC North and can challenge in the South. The Kids remain unbeaten heading into their showdown with Whitehall.

“We know what we can do in the (EPC) North,” he said. “We can beat the teams in the South. We will come together and be super competitive.”

And Henritzy will be a big part of it.