Caleb Vescovi has been Justin Myers’ quarterback for most of the past four seasons.
Myers played in a state championship game as Forest Hills’ quarterback and starred at Geneva College as well as in the indoor football game. He knows a good QB when he sees one.
“Caleb has been with our system for four years,” Myers said after winless Heights lost a second straight heartbreaker,
22-20, at Bishop Guilfoyle on Saturday. “He listens. He has a strong arm. He’s close to being a Division I or a Division II quarterback with his arm and his mechanics. As far as his maturity, he’s a big leader on this team. The kids listen to him.
“Caleb has grown so much in four years I wouldn’t want anybody else.”
Vescovi, who leads the area with 670 passing yards through three games, is quick to credit his receivers, backs and linemen for the gaudy statistics.
He’d probably trade all of those numbers for a few wins though. Not only is the kid a good player, he’s also a team player.
“We’re all together as a team,” Vescovi said. “Two games in a row we’ve lost by a combined five points. That
didn’t happen last year. We all want to win. We’re real upset.
“It’s quiet in (the visitors locker room at Mansion Park).
“We just want to win.”
If Heights begins to win this year, Vescovi and his big target, Bryce Brawley, will play more than a minor role.
Brawley is atop the area receiving statistics with
16 catches for 401 yards. He added five catches, one touchdown and 154 receiving yards to his totals in the tight loss to Guilfoyle.
“Bryce Brawley is an awesome receiver,” Myers said. “When the chips are down I’m going for him. It’s hard to cover him one-on-one. Bryce is a game-breaker.”
There definitely is a bond between Vescovi and Brawley.
“Bryce and I are practically neighbors. We grew up together. We’ve been throwing to each other back and forth for three years,” Vescovi said. “We really have a connection. I have all the confidence in the world in Bryce.”
Vescovi found Brawley open at the Guilfoyle 43 yard-line with 56 seconds left in the first half on Saturday.
Brawley made the catch in stride and outraced the defense to the end zone to complete a game-tying, 79-yard touchdown play.
“Caleb’s a four-year starter and he knows practically everything he’s supposed to do when it comes to reads,” said Brawley, who has more than
1,000 receiving yards combining this year and last season’s 623 yards on 34 receptions.
“He’s a multi-read quarterback. He’s not going to freeze up if one receiver’s not open.
“It seems like we have a vibe when he throws the ball,” Brawley added “He’s confident I’m going to catch it, and I’m confident he’s going to put it where the defender’s not going to get it.”
Heights fell by two points to Guilfoyle after dropping a
37-34 game to Bedford.
The Highlanders also lost to a 3-0 Johnstown team in
Week 1.
“You’ve got to take losses to heart but you’ve got to look to next week and strive to win,” said Vescovi, who has more than 3,500 passing yards in three-plus seasons at quarterback.
q q q
Versatile signal-caller: While Vescovi is the seasoned vet at quarterback, Greater Johnstown’s Gervon Simon is making an immediate impact in his first season as the starter.
Simon replaced two-year standout John Siciliano, who made things happen through the air and with his feet.
Simon hasn’t missed a step.
The junior has thrown for 624 yards and six touchdowns in three victories. He completed 29 of 49 passes or 59.2 percent.
On the ground, Simon has 121 net yards on 17 attempts, a 7.2 average per carry.
q q q
Sayler made: Speaking of versatile quarterbacks, Berlin’s Ian Sayler has been a dual threat for the undefeated Mountaineers.
Sayler has rushed for
422 yards on 37 attempts.
That’s 11.41 a carry. He’s also completed half of his 28 passes for 304 yards, four touchdowns and only one interception.
The Mountaineers are atop the WestPAC after outscoring their first three opponents by a combined 128-21.
Mike Mastovich is a sports writer for The Tribune-Democrat.
Sports
Mike Mastovich | Vescovi key to Highlanders’ success
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