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| John Krandenski has barely been able to get on the field for Susquehanna, so when he posted five catches and 107 yards receiving in the River Hawks' win at Christopher Newport, it was a good sign. Photo by Gabby Zulak for Susquehanna athletics |
By Brian Lester
D3sports.com
Before Saturday’s second-round playoff game against sixth-ranked Christopher Newport, Susquehanna wide receiver John Kradenski had a few tears roll down his cheek as he waited to take the field.
If you know his story this season, you understand why there was a bit of emotion for him, He’s battled through mono and then a serious car accident.
Life could have gone much differently for him in 2025. To be standing on a sideline ready to play in a postseason game, well, he wasn’t about to take it for granted.
“To finally be in this position and have this opportunity after all I’ve been through, it’s crazy how God works,” Kradenski said. “You just have to keep your head down and everything will work out.”
Oh it worked out alright. Kradenski, filling in for an injured starter, caught five passes for 107 yards in just the fourth game he’s played in this year, helping the River Hawks earn a 42-28 victory and advance to the third round for the second consecutive year.
“It’s been a long season. To come out and play on one of the biggest stages, against a ranked team on the road, I’m happy with what I did,” Kradenski said. “With all the adversity I have faced, it was great excelling in the opportunity I was given.”
Head coach Tom Perkovich said there was never any doubt that he was going to use Kradenski when he needed to fill a void in the lineup.
“It was an easy decision,” Perkovich said. “John was going to play. We knew he would do a great job. We have a lot of faith in him.”
Kradenski just did what anyone on his team would have done in that position.
“He came in and played really well. It’s been the story of our season. The next-man-up mentality. John was ready,” Perkovich said. “I’m really happy for him that he got his moment.”
It’s a moment that didn’t seem likely back at the beginning of the season.
In preseason camp, Kradenski was performing well and poised to perhaps finally be a starter for the first time in his career after seeing limited time the first three years.
Then he was hit with mono and missed the remainder of camp as well as the first three games of the season.
He came back in Week 4 against Christopher Newport, a game the River Hawks lost 41-27. He was home the next weekend during a bye week and was in an accident when he swerved to avoid hitting a deer.
He was fortunate to only walk away with a concussion but he was once again out of football, missing another month.
“I’ve been through the wringer this year,” Kradenski said.
Perkovich agrees with a statement that might be the understatement of the year.
“It’s been a pretty crazy year for him,” Perkovich said. “He had high hopes for his senior season and was having a great camp. If it wasn’t for bad luck, he’d have none at all.”
Being out with mono was tough for him mentally and physically. He looks back on that situation, though, thankful he came out of it okay.
The same with the car accident. He was hit by two cars after swerving to miss the deer.
“It was scary. To only have a concussion, it could have been way worse. I was lucky to make it out the way I did,” Kradenski said.
Perkovich said Kradenski never let either situation keep him from being who he has always been.
“He stayed with it and never let it affect his positivity or stop him from being a good teammate,” Perkovich said.
The way Kradenski sees it, he could have gone one of two ways after adversity struck twice for him.
“When adversity hits, you can curl up in a corner or push through and wait for another opportunity to come along,” Kradenski said.
The same can sort of be said for Susquehanna’s season. The No. 22 River Hawks were 2-2 after losses to Johns Hopkins and Christopher Newport.
The bye week that followed proved to be a good thing and Susquehanna has won eight in a row heading into its third round game against Eastern (10-1).
“I’m really proud of our team,” Perkovich said. “The season could have taken a turn for the negative. I’m proud of our staff for thinking outside the box and being creative with how to win with this group. The kids bought in and everyone has all bought in. I think we are playing our best football right now.”
Kradenski said the bye week really helped bring the team together and the team is having fun playing ball.
“We were still trying to find our identity when we were 2-2. I thought we came together as a team there and the main thing is we are having fun,” Kradenski said. “You have to have fun playing football. There’s nothing better than playing this game with your friends.”
The River Hawks reached the national semifinals a year ago and have used that experience to their advantage in preparing each week during this postseason.
“The intensity of playoff games and how you have to play, there is value in that experience,” Perkovich said. “You have to be ready to go and can’t take plays off. I like our team and we know we are playing a really good opponent. We just have to go out and play football.”
For Kradenski, playing football means everything, especially after this year. He has played in 18 career games, catching 17 passes for 236 yards and a touchdown.
“You always have to stay ready. It’s tough sometimes on the mental side not always playing, but that is life. You can’t say, ‘why me.’ You just have to be ready for the opportunity,” Kradenski said.
And Kradenski, despite all that he has been through this year, has stayed ready. It’s why he had the game that he did last week against Christopher Newport.
He appreciates that moment and the moments that may still be ahead in this playoff run.
“Life is a beautiful thing, especially with the run we are on now, and I am just living in the moment, taking it day by day,” Kradenski said. “It’s clearly working for me. And when opportunities present themselves, you have to take them.”