QB Chase Weihrauch aims to lead Springdale football team to bounce-back season

By: Michael Love
Wednesday, August 23, 2023 | 8:58 PM

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Chase Weihrauch made his starting quarterback debut in last year’s Week Zero game against Ligonier Valley.

The Springdale senior then suffered an ankle injury during the week before the Dynamos’ Week 1 contest against Northgate and had to sit out several games.

“It was so frustrating,” Weihrauch said.

“I saw the team out there struggling, and I couldn’t do anything to help them. I wanted to be out there so much, but I knew what I had to do to get healthy again and get back.”

He came back in Week 4 against Greensburg Central Catholic, and, despite tweaking the ankle, he didn’t miss any time.

“It wasn’t as serious the second time. It felt great to get back and help the team as much as I could,” said Weihrauch, who made the move from wide receiver during the Dynamos’ playoff run in 2021 to quarterback in 2022.

It was a time of adjustment last year for a young and inexperienced Springdale team that lost 16 seniors from the year before and continued to learn a new system under first-year head coach Ryan Tempalski.

The Dynamos went 0-10.

Weihrauch admitted he had growing pains in the offense. But, with time, he said, comes ability and confidence, and he is ready to lead Springdale.

“We expected that (the struggles) might happen because we lost so many seniors, but not the way it turned out,” Weihrauch said.

“With coach coming in late last year, we didn’t have as much time in the offseason as we normally would. But, with a full offseason this year with the coaches, we really understand the system so much better. We also have more experience, and a lot of guys are coming back with more confidence. We’ve all been putting in the work from the weight room to the field. I am excited for what we can do.”

Weihrauch threw for 389 yards and three touchdowns against two interceptions last year. He also collected 199 rushing yards and three scores.

“I give our guys credit,” he said. “We stayed positive and kept working despite what happened in games. We knew that there would be better outcomes down the road if we made sure we understood the process. We could see that we were getting better with the little things.”

Weihrauch didn’t start his freshman season in 2020 but got in on special teams.

He was a starter at receiver and at cornerback as a sophomore.

Weihrauch played quarterback in eighth grade but moved away from that for two years.

“I worked hard as much as I could to become a quarterback,” he said.

“It was tough at times getting back into it, but I am a lot more comfortable now.”

Weihrauch said he is excited for the weapons around him on offense and the talent that returns on the defensive side.

“The skill level at positions on both sides of the ball has gotten better,” he said.

“(Junior) Caleb (Gent) is back, and it was his first ever year playing. He was one of our best receivers. (Junior) Colton (Gent) has another year under his belt. (Senior) Brayden Layhew is experienced, and (senior) Noah Bradley was a first-team all-conference linebacker. We definitely have weapons.”

Weihrauch said he’s developed a connection with senior backup quarterback Owen Scheuring who started last year in Weihrauch’s absence.

Tempalski said Weihrauch is not the same person he was last year.

“This is not a negative, but I don’t think he was ready to be a leader last year,” Tempalski said.

“I think he was forced to, in a way, because of our situation with all that we lost to graduation. The year before, he was a guy that would go run routes and play some defensive back and do a really nice job, but there were so many seniors that had that leadership role. He had to grow up fast last year, but, this year, he is every bit a leader for this team. He is a guy that the other players and even the coaches lean on. We know he can do special things and win us some ball games.”

That leadership, Tempalski said, extends to the example he sets with how much more he has learned at quarterback.

“Now, he knows the formations, the calls, the routes,” Tempalski said.

“This year, he’s looking forward to making plays where, last year, he was trying to survive. He dedicated himself to the weight room, and he was up there in terms of numbers for squat, bench and deadlift. He has a stronger arm and a whole lot of confidence.”

Tempalski said Weihrauch had somewhat of an epiphany in a 7-on-7 at Valley over the summer.

“The playbook is in, and we’re doing our thing,” Tempalski said.

“The first pass, we run a wheel route, and Chase hits Colton in stride right down the sideline. It was a perfect pass with perfect timing. That was a moment where we knew that all the work we did last year and this offseason, Chase included, led us to that point and continues to help lead us into 2023.”

Weihrauch said Friday against Ligonier Valley can’t come soon enough.

“We’ve built a good bond, and it’s fun to play and work together to get wins,” he said.

Michael Love is a TribLive reporter covering sports in the Alle-Kiski Valley and the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh. A Clearfield native and a graduate of Westminster (Pa.), he joined the Trib in 2002 after spending five years at the Clearfield Progress. He can be reached at mlove@triblive.com.

Tags: Springdale