Catasauqua senior Cadeo Estronza knew his team faced a big challenge, but he was ready to play his part.

Estronza, a running back, decided to take over the quarterback reins after senior starter Aiden Reilly and freshman backup Gio Ojeda were both sidelined for the season a few weeks ago.

It literally was a whole new ball game. He also viewed it as a chance to take an increased role with the team.

“Stepping into quarterback was a big challenge for me,” reflected Estronza. “Being both that our quarterbacks were out due to injuries and me accepting the challenge helped me grow to be more of a leader for the team.

“Being motivated by my teammates and my coaches having my back, getting moved into quarterback definitely made me more confident.”

Head coach Joe Henrich has appreciated Estronza’s sacrifice. In his short stay at quarterback, Estronza has thrown for 105 yards, and he has rushed for 335 yards.

“Cadeo has done everything we have asked of him,” said Henrich. “He has done a really nice job considering the circumstances. In the time he played quarterback, Cadeo has competed in every game.

“He has always been one of the hardest working kids on our team.”

Estronza certainly has made his share of adjustments, and they have worked in his favor.

“For me, it was getting timing down between motion play, getting to know how fast your wide receivers are running their routes,” said Estronza. “It also was about knowing concepts and your reads. You have to be comfortable.

“The biggest adjustment I would say is you have to just be able to say “ready set go” on every play on offense. It may seem easy, but when you are back there it’s so different you have to be loud, strong and show no fear.”

He has gained a more comfortable position, as well as his own personal outlook.

“I feel playing quarterback now has made me more comfortable than when I started three weeks ago,” he said. “The jitters were there, and I obviously was not going to have the best mechanics.

“But when you’re an athlete, you just have to put it together and do what you know at your highest performance. You have to give what you have to your team and more.”

Estronza started playing football at age three, and he enjoyed being in his role when he was younger. At 5-6, 135 pounds, Estronza has enjoyed his battles.

“I’ve never played quarterback before, and only been in the backfield to take a snap for a wildcat trick play,” noted Estronza. “I started playing football with my cousins and just always had a passion for contact sports.

“I always loved having an underdog story. I was never the biggest kid on my team. I’ve actually always been mixed with the smaller side of kids, but always with my height and weight, but it never was a problem.

“I was small and fearless when I was younger. I loved knowing that you can let all your stress about anything in your life out on the field.”

Over the years, Estronza credited his coaches, especially Henrich and his staff, for his development. He hasn’t let anything stand in his way, and plans to try to elevate his game in the season finale at Northampton on Thanksgiving morning.

“They pushed a side of me to be a better person and a better football player,” stressed Estronza. “These coaches have preached to buy into the program. I’ve been motivated to do my best for the team and give it everything I have left for them and the team.”