The Spectrum

Issue date: 9/21/06 Section: Sports

Media Credit: The Spectrum/Chris Morrow

An injury is tough for anybody, but for a football player with the skill and determination that Joe Henley has, an injury can be devastating, both physically and mentally.

Henley, who is originally from Kent, Washington, has been one of the brightest stars on the Pioneers' football squad for some time now. Henley, who accumulated 383 yards with 3 touchdowns last season only paying in four games, has been rehabbing his ankle ever since his injury last season.

" It used to get to me when I couldn't play because I like to work hard, but I got through it with some help from my family, coaches, and teammates," said Henley. "Now I try to not think about it and go on as if it never happened."

With an attitude like this its easy to see just how valuable of a player Henley is, and how glad the Pioneers are to have such a hard working member of their team back in action.

Although he was not a presence on the field for much of last season his presence in the gym and at practice can be seen in the way that his attitude has rubbed off on his teammates. Like Henley, they are not giving up after a shaky start to the season and are now stepping up to the plate to help Henley bring Sacred Heart back to championship territory.

"Right now were going through a little rough spot but I think we are very talented and will work through the problems we have. I think that when conference starts we will be hitting on all cylinders and bring home the NEC championship," Henley said when asked how he thought the team was doing on Friday afternoon.

He could not have been more right. This past weekends game against Iona proved that the team has started to work out its kinks and headed down the path to the NEC championship with a 27-16 victory at home.

As the rehab process continues, Henley will only get better, and with a solid ground game, giving quarterback Tyler Arciaga one more option to go to when he drops back to pass will exponentially strengthen the Pioneers offense this year and make it an offense that opposing teams and defenses fear to go up against.

Then, we can look forward to basketball season.

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