For Northampton’s Chase Czarnecki, sports has been a family affair.

“I started playing football at 6-years-old with flag football for the NAA,” recalled Czarnecki. “Growing up with three older siblings, we were all very active in sports. My family was always on the move, and I was usually getting dragged around with them to all the events.”

This fall, the 6-2. 190-pound Czarnecki will see time in the offensive backfield at halfback, and he will also start at linebacker. He still remembers his football roots with his brothers Jacob (a 2019 grad) and Carson (2023). His sister, Abbi, played soccer for the Kids.

“We spent a lot of time at the practice fields down on Canal Street and one at Atlas,” said Czarnecki. “Among my two brothers and I, we got to watch a lot of football. I think that is where my love for the sport really started.

“Naturally when I became old enough, my parents signed me up.”

It was a quick adjustment to a new game.

“I think I’ve always been comfortable playing football,’ said Czarnecki. “It’s the sport I love and I love to compete.”

Czarnecki felt he reached a new level in last year’s opener against Pennsbury.

“I became comfortable playing somewhere during the first game of the season against Pennsbury,” said Czarnecki. “Leading up to the season it was a position battle and question on who was going to start. Ultimately, I started and during the game I got to get a feel for the speed and competition we were going to face and realized that was a level I was able to compete. That’s when I became comfortable on the field.”

His brother, Carson, has played an impactful role in his career.

“Out of the three of my siblings, I think he has had the biggest influence on me throughout the years,” said the youngest Czarnecki. “Being the closest in age to me, I was always around for his successes and failures on the field, and I believe it has had a big influence on what I wanted to accomplish through football by showing what could be done.

“Specifically his senior year he was awarded scholar athlete and defensive MVP so he set the standard high.”

Now as a senior, Czarnecki believes he is prepared for his season ahead. Czarnecki recorded 50 tackles last year.

“This year I definitely see my role as more of a team leader being a returning starter on defense and looking to step into a bigger role on offense,” he said. “I’m definitely approaching this year with a different mindset.

“Looking at the schedule ahead it becomes more and more real seeing senior night and realizing it’s not just another game on the schedule it could be one of the last.”

Czarnecki has watched a strong team bond being formed during the summer. The Kids finished with an overall 5-7 record last season.

“Coming off last season, I feel the chemistry was great in the locker room, and I feel it has continued to grow throughout the summer,” offered Czarnecki. “Obviously losing as many seniors as we did, it is hard but it has not affected the overall team chemistry.

“We spend a lot of time together at football and that brings us together. I believe it is the bond we all have outside of football that brings us even closer. It’s cliché to say but it really is a pact of brothers. Coming up for all three of my years we’ve always gone by the old saying ‘for the strength of the pack is the wolf and the strength of the wolf is the pack’ We are the pack.”

Kids’ head coach John Toman always has been impressed with Czarnecki’s instinctive play, and his leadership abilities.

“He is a great student athlete,” boasted Czarnecki. “He is a returning starter on defense and is a student of the game. He always knows where to be and is a great example for the younger players.”

Czarnecki is undecided on whether or not he will play football in college, but he is leaning towards pursuing a degree in Engineering. In addition, Czarnecki also plays lacrosse and enjoys snowboarding.

“So far my summer has been very busy,” said Czarnecki. “Between summer football and finishing up club lacrosse, it has been very enjoyable.”

Czarnecki plans to make his final year a special one.

“When all of this is over and I’m looking back, I don’t want to have any regrets.”