Leicester – Erwin returns its rugged quarterback, Iggy Welch, for an encore season, to go with its tall and fast receivers and new running backs and blockers.
The Warriors, under head coach Rodney Pruett, finished third behind Asheville and Reynolds in the MAC with a 4-2 mark, after going 3-3 and finishing in a three-way tie for fourth a season earlier. “We have more toughness and competitive grit” in ‘22, Pruett said. It showed last Friday as Erwin (1-1) bashed hard-hitting Mountain Heritage 56-30.
QB Iggy Welch (6-2, 220 sr.) grew up in Heritage’s district, making this an extra sweet victory. Welch is “stoked” about his last chance to try to win the MAC, where he is among the few returning QB starters. He is also Erwin’s first returning QB in four years. Welch threw for 1,774 yards last fall. But he tossed nearly as many picks as TDs, and he did that in the 2022 season-opening loss to Mitchell. He threw for 251 yards in that game. Welch then went on to throw for 297 yards against Heritage.He completed 23 of 31 passes, with four TDs and no interceptions. As a result, he received a perfect 143.4 percent pass rate.
Welch said he keeps improving at recognizing defensive formations and types of pass rushes and pass coverages before the snap of the ball and adjusting as defenses shift early in the play. Coach Pruett agrees. “Iggy has a better command of our offense. He sees progressions faster and looks for secondary receivers if the primary ones are tightly covered. Strong-armed Welch and his receivers work on timing, which is critical for the spread’s many quick, short passes.
Welch was a varsity tight end as a sophomore and also played defensive end at times. As the QB, he often delivers more contact than he receives when keeping the ball. “Iggy’s hard-nosed,” Pruett said. “He battles.” Welch was sandwiched and somersaulted over the goal line against Brevard last season. Ty Johnson said Welch “takes control” of the offense in huddles.
Toss to Ty, Meechie
His two favorite targets are long-striding Ty Johnson (6-3, 173 jr.) and fiery Demetrase “Meechie” Graves (6-3, 182 sr.), who is also tall and fast. Welch targeted them on 21 of his 31 throws last Friday. They caught 15 combined passes. Johnson had two TDs and 149 yards receiving, including a 59-yarder. Graves had one TD reception. He said when he breaks into an open field with the ball, “my adrenalin flows. It’s’ off to the races.’”
Other swift targets include Hunter Cromer (5-11, 132 so.), Christopher Morgan (5-10, 154 jr.) and RB-WR Daiquan Ray (5-9, 189 sr.). Cromer scored on both of his receptions in the opener, covering 108 yards total.
Nine of 11 varsity starters were new on offense last fall. “We’re still young in spots,” such as running back, Pruett said. In the opener, Nicholas Sharpe (5-10, 176 jr.) averaged 89 yards per carry and scored a touchdown. According to Pruett, Sharpe combines “speed and power” with “shifty” Aaron Dover (5-9, 149 jr.) and “bruiser” Rex Miller (5-11, 183 jr.), according to Pruett. In week two, Sharpe and Daiquan Ray each ran for a TD.
Erwin had a huge line in 2018 with four blockers who went on to play college football. Current blockers are smaller but mobile, and “all move well and create space” for backs to get through, Pruett said. How “physical” this very young line plays is a key, such as for blocking ACR’s big D-line. Nathaniel Brown (6-1, 256), Ulysses Rea-Nunez (5-9, 248), and Cody Luther (6-0, 263) are strong, stocky sophomores, as are Judd Woody (6-0, 219 jr.) and Mason Coren (6-1, 214 jr.).
To help coach, Erwin brought in its passing combo from six seasons ago to help coach. They are Damien Ferguson, who was WNC’s all-time passing yardage leader, and star receiver C.J. Thompson.
Erwin’s 3-4 base defense has Conner Meadows (6-1, 246 sr.), Nick Schultz (6-1, 236 jr.) and Issac Marler (5-8, 224 jr.) up front. OLB Phillip Shostak (6-0, 206 sr.) and DBs Graves and De’Aijaha “Milky” Ray (5-9, 152 sr.) also “stood out” last Friday, according to Coach Pruett. Erwin recovered four MHHS fumbles.
Triggering turnovers like that helps Erwin outscore foes and again contend in the MAC. Welch said, “We have a good chance of winning the conference.”