Wheeler junior Conner Welch’s teammates and coaches typically refer to him as “Grape Juice,” a play on his last name.
The 6-foot-4, 210-pound H-back/tight end/linebacker also lives up to his moniker by providing an energy rush for the Bearcats.
“He’s definitely a morale guy,” Wheeler junior quarterback Logan Fox said. “He’s a very funny dude. He lifts up team spirits.
“And obviously he’s a really good player. He does it all — blocks, catches, tackles, on every single special teams.”
Indeed, Welch is in his third season starting for the Bearcats (5-0, 2-0), who will face Calumet in a key Greater South Shore Conference South game on Friday, and he plays what coach Nick Testa calls “our two toughest positions.”
“Offensively, he has to block inside, he has to block outside,” Testa said. “He has to be able to run routes, catch. Defensively, he has to be able to blitz, cover the flats, set the edge.
“He does everything for us. He’s having a great year on both sides of the ball. He’s probably been our best player this year.”
Welch has nine catches for 233 yards and a touchdown, has 29 tackles with seven for loss, has returned two of his team-high three interceptions for touchdowns, and has also returned a fumble for a touchdown.
“It’s just getting reps in practice, watching film,” he said. “It’s getting the route concepts. If I see a certain formation, I know what play it is. Talking to the coaches, it helps me get a knack for the ball.”
Welch debuted as a wide receiver as a 170-pound freshman. Up to 190 last season, he shifted to H-back/tight end. He said he has made strides with his tackling and blocking and has gotten stronger but noted “there’s always room for improvement.”
“Each year, he’s continually gotten better and better,” Testa said. “At a small school, those are the things that keep the program going in the right direction, getting kids who get playing time as a freshman and continue to grow and grow. That’s how we’ve been able to have success over the last few years. These kids grow and get better each year, and then you can rely on them.
“He’s really grown since his freshman year both physically and as a man.”
Welch has taken on a more prominent leadership role this season. He said he has learned along the way from upperclassmen.
Welch’s voice was audible during a recent practice, calling out formations.
“He’s a smart kid, great in the classroom,” Testa said. “He’s really starting to come out of his shell this year.
“He’s had some success, he’s been a starter for three years and now he’s really coming out of his shell. He’s talking more. You’re seeing more of his personality. He’s just a great kid, very coachable.”
College coaches have increasingly taken notice of Welch. He visited Western Michigan for a game this past weekend.
“With his frame and how he’s been playing, he’s starting to get recognition from colleges,” Testa said. “He has such a nice frame for college, and he has the frame to be even bigger.
“If he keeps playing at the level he’s playing at, more colleges are going to take notice. He has the opportunity to really play at an elite level at the high school and college level.”
Welch, whose older sister, Rileyann, is a former softball standout for Wheeler, played football, basketball and baseball as a freshman. He opted not to play baseball as a sophomore.
“I wanted to use springtime to go to football stuff too — spring weights, spring conditioning,” he said.
Testa understood Welch’s decision.
“He realized he wanted to play football in college, and that’s where he really hit the weight room,” Testa said. “You could see him start to fill out some of that frame. He’s down to two sports now, and part of that is he realized he wants to play football in college.
“Being a small school, most of these kids are multisport kids, which is good. At the same time, when you realize what you want to do, you have to find time to make that a priority. I’m glad he found that out earlier than later because it’s only going to help him at the next level.”
Welch believes the Bearcats can succeed at a high level this season, challenging for conference and sectional titles. They’re in a Class 2A sectional that includes Andrean.
“I like the intensity and competitiveness,” Welch said. “People want to get better. Everyone wants to compete and wants to win.
“We’re looking to make a splash.”