Observer-Reporter Athlete of the Week
Name: Josh Hughes
School: Bentworth
Year: Junior
Sport: Football
Hughes’ week: The Bearcats’ quarterback completed 22 of 30 passes for 502 yards and six touchdowns, including four in the fourth quarter, to help Bentworth defeat Mapletown 42-14 in a Tri-County South Conference game.
“I had no idea I was even close to 500 yards,” Hughes said. “When they told me, I said, ‘You’ve got to be kidding me.” I would have never thought we’d be 6-1 at this point. I’m just thankful to be doing this well.”
Hughes, a two-year starter, had touchdown passes of 21, 45, 65, 37, 73 and 78 yards, all after the Bearcats trailed 14-0. The victory enabled Bentworth (6-1, 6-1) to clinch its first playoff appearance since 2006. The Bearcats still have an outside chance at the conference title.
Head coach Ron Skiles, who installed a spread offense when he returned for his third stint at Bentworth, has seen what time and experience can do for a young quarterback.
“Josh has developed into a pretty good quarterback in terms of being able to settle down,” Skiles said. “The game is slowing down for him and that’s a big thing for a quarterback. That tells me he understands what the defenses are about to do, space and time.”
A year makes a big difference: One week after running back Ethan Tush had a six-touchdown performance, Mapletown focused on stopping the Bearcats’ rushing attack; leaving Hughes and his receivers space to make plays. After a first half in which they were plagued by dropped passes, the group broke out in the final 24 minutes.
Noah Peternel caught seven passes for 207 yards and three touchdowns. Ty Mitchell had nine catches for 170 yards with two scores. Bentworth has scored at least 40 points in five games and is fourth in Class A in scoring at 40 points per game.
“Getting our receivers out in space was the key,” Hughes said. “We have a really good receiving corps. If we get the ball in their hands, they’ll make big plays. A year makes a big difference. The line is giving me great protection and those receivers are making plays.”
Hughes threw eight touchdown passes last fall as the leader of an offense that scored at least 21 points four times. The Bearcats had a 3-6 overall record and finished in sixth place in the Tri-County South.
Hughes is fourth in the WPIAL with 1,417 passing yards and is tied for third with 19 touchdown passes.
“The offense is almost second nature to him,” Skiles said. “In his first year, he was learning. Now, he’s settling down. His brain is pretty clear right now and he’s seeing everything well.”
Excitement: Bentworth is headed back to the playoffs with the highest-scoring offense in the conference and a defense that is allowing just 13.9 points per game. The community has taken notice.
“Everyone is really proud of us. We’ve worked hard for this. The seniors deserve it,” Hughes said. “They’ve had a rough time coming up. It’s nice for them to be rewarded.”
Compiled by Lance Lysowski