Trib HSSN football player of the week for 2024 Week Zero

Trib HSSN football player of the week – Drew Welhorsky

School – South Fayette

Class – Junior

Height/weight – 6-foot-1, 185 pounds

Position – Quarterback, free safety

What coach says – “Drew was a very mature leader,” South Fayette coach Marty Spieler said about Welhorsky’s play Friday. “We spoke about not getting too high or too low, and he was able to keep our team on track even when we put ourselves behind the sticks with penalties.

“He started two games as a true freshman, games one and two. That shows what type of composure Drew has. But most of all, he is a competitor. He loves the challenge no matter what the sport or activity.

“I love watching him play football and lacrosse. Lacrosse can be a tough, physical sport and there were times he was taking a beating. The toughness and skills you learn from lacrosse, or wrestling or basketball, improve a kid’s overall athleticism and translate well to football.

“I was fortunate to meet the Brumbaugh family when I was recruiting. Christian, Luke and Brett are all great men now. They were raised well by their parents. The Welhorsky family is right there with them. I am very proud of the young men we have in our program and that winning leadership is an example of a great upbringing.”

#Earned – South Fayette has a long line of great quarterbacks over the last decade and a half, including Christian and Brett Brumbaugh, Jamie Diven, Drew Saxton and Naman Alemada. Nico Lamonde was the starting quarterback for the Lions the last two seasons with a young understudy ready to pounce in 2024. Junior Drew Welhorsky took over the starting job with a bang, sending a message with both his arm and his legs. Welhorsky completed 18 of 22 passes for 248 yards and a touchdown, plus he rushed for 174 yards and scored three times as South Fayette blanked Chartiers Valley, 26-0.

Background – Welhorsky saw limited action at quarterback as a freshman and sophomore for South Fayette, hitting on 22 of 32 passes for 233 yards and three touchdowns. Welhorsky is a standout lacrosse player for the Lions and loves both sports. Midway through his high school athletic career, he is not sure which sport he will pursue at the next level. The transition to a new coach has been seamless for Welhorsky, since Spieler was the Lions’ quarterback coach a year ago before taking over for Joe Rossi.

WPIAL Week Zero honorable mentions

Luke Goodworth and Gabe Hein, Mars

The Fightin’ Planets’ opening night trip to Boone, Fla. was a boom for the team’s offense. Mars senior quarterback Luke Goodworth hit on 10 of 15 passes for 365 yards and tossed five touchdown passes, and his top target, junior Gabe Hein, caught nine passes for 330 yards and scoring receptions of 80, 84 and 30 yards as the Fightin’ Planets outscored the Braves in the Sunshine state, 47-35.

Jaydon Oliver, Armstrong

Two games went beyond regulation in the district in Week Zero, including a 75-point slugfest in Natrona Heights. Armstrong sophomore quarterback Jayden Oliver connected on 18 of 25 passes for 273 yards, including touchdown passes of 62, 44 and 22 yards. The last one came in the fourth quarter and tied the game which was eventually won by the River Hawks in overtime over Highlands, 38-37.

Lee Qualk, California

As a junior last season, Lee Qualk rushed for 560 yards on 44 carries. He could match those totals in his first two games this season. The California running back exploded for 372 yards on 33 carries in the season opener, scoring six touchdowns as the Trojans ran roughshod over visiting Serra Catholic, 62-26.

Tags: South Fayette