Defensive lineman Vincent Croce totaled 35 tackles including 10 sacks and three forced fumbles last season as a junior, helping Good Counsel (Olney, MD) capture its first WCAC championship. The 6-4, 265-pound rising senior, the latest top recruit out of a consistently talented Falcons program, certainly is pleased with the success he has had on the recruiting trail, but last season’s championship feat is his career highlight.

“That was the best thing in the world. It was the happiest day of my life,” said Croce, a key contributor who saw action at defensive end, defensive tackle, middle linebacker and tight end in 2009. “As our coaches said after the game, we won it for more than just us. We won it for all the players and teams that came before us.”

On the field and in the classroom, Croce has had a great experience at Good Counsel. And the experience has shaped what he is looking for on the next level.

“Good Counsel has been such a great place for me and helped me out with so much with great academics and great football,” Croce said. “Of course it’s going to sway where I pick to go to school. That being said, I’m looking for somewhere highly regarded. I want a degree from somewhere very reputable. The people are great people at Good Counsel. One of the best for me is our defensive line coach, Coach McFadden. I want to go somewhere where the people genuinely want to take care of me and watch out for me. Of course, good athletics and the chance for early playing time are big too.

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