O-R Athlete of the Week: Drew Welhorsky, South Fayette
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Name: Drew Welhorsky
School: South Fayette
Class: Junior
Sport: Football
Welhorsky’s week: The Lions’ quarterback threw for 279 yards and five touchdowns in a 38-19 victory at Elizabeth Forward last Friday in nonconference action.
Elizabeth Forward had an early lead before Welhorsky and company got going. He threw scoring strikes of 40 and 45 yards to Ben Cavenaugh and a 20-yarder to Tyson Wright in the first half. Welhorsky threw a 35-yarder to Ray Schuler and a 53-yard touchdown pass to Alex Eanes in the fourth quarter.
Despite the impressive stat line, Welhorsky was more pleased with the victory that moved South Fayette to 4-0.
“Individual stats don’t mean much to me,” said Welhorsky, who is in his first season as the Lions’ starting quarterback. “Our whole team has been solid this year, but our defense has been playing really well.”
For the season, Welhorsky has completed 54 of 77 passes for 855 yards and eight touchdowns. He’s also the Lions’ leading rusher with 390 yards and six touchdowns.
Easy transition: Marty Spieler is in his first year as head coach after longtime coach Joe Rossi resigned following 17 years at the helm.
The change was almost seamless for Welhorsky, as Spieler was South Fayette’s quarterbacks coach last season.
Welhorsky likes what Spieler brings to the table as head coach.
“Coach Spieler brings a lot of intensity to practice,” Welhorsky said. “I was glad to have him as my position coach last year. He really helped prepare me to start at quarterback this season.”
Strength of schedule: The Lions have not shied away from tough nonconference competition, and that will continue in their next game Friday at Belle Vernon, who won the last two WPIAL and PIAA titles in Class 3A. South Fayette also played a Class 6A team in Canon-McMillan, and Elizabeth Forward has been a consistent playoff team the last five years in Class 3A.
The games will not get any easier after Belle Vernon as the Lions are in the Class 5A Allegheny Six Conference with defending WPIAL champion and state runner-up Peters Township. The Indians, Upper St. Clair and Bethel Park are all undefeated.
South Fayette hosts Baldwin in the conference opener on Sept. 27.
“We are aware that our conference is one of the toughest in the WPIAL, but we look forward to the challenge,” Welhorsky said. “We want to get into the playoffs, and if we do, we will definitely be battle tested. We just have to keep working and stay with the game plan when we play these teams.”
The hits keep coming: Welhorsky plays lacrosse in the spring, and not only does the game have a physical element, sticks are also involved.
“I am an attacking player in lacrosse, and I get hit a lot with sticks,” Welhorsky said. “I started playing lacrosse in fifth grade, and I really like the game. I start preparing for the lacrosse season in the winter.
“Lacrosse may not have the popularity of football, but it is definitely growing in the WPIAL. I am always trying to recruit guys in school to play.”
Compiled by Jonathan Guth