Schultheis propels Mars football team
Mars football coach Scott Heinauer saw a lot of promise in a young freshman running back last year.
A 6-foot, 215-pound sophomore fullback, Josh Schultheis has been a consistent and reliable fixture in the Planets’ backfield this season. Schultheis turned in another big performance last week in helping Mars earn a 45-21 victory over Blackhawk in the first round of the WPIAL Class AAA playoffs.
“He’s a good, strong running back,” Heinauer said. “Last year, we saw glimpses of how good he could be and we told him coming into this season that he would be our fullback. In our offense, the fullback carries the ball and he carries the ball 30-some times a game.”
Schultheis rushed for 251 yards and four touchdowns on 26 carries against the Cougars. Through 10 games, he has gathered 1,646 yards and 31 touchdowns for Mars (9-1).
“He’s always there when we need him,” Heinauer said. “He’s a workhorse. He’s a self-made guy and that goes back to all the work he put in during the offseason and in the weight room.”
The No. 3-seed Planets advance to quarterfinals this week and will meet No.7 West Mifflin (9-1) at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Fox Chapel High School. The two teams met in the first round last season and West Mifflin won, 21-8.
The Titans are coming off a 28-14 first-round victory over No. 10-seed Knoch. West Mifflin running back Jimmy Wheeler rushed for 189 yards and scored three touchdowns, while quarterback Derrick Fulmore gathered 145 yards and a touchdown.
A 6-foot, 215-pound sophomore fullback, Josh Schultheis has been a consistent and reliable fixture in the Planets’ backfield this season. Schultheis turned in another big performance last week in helping Mars earn a 45-21 victory over Blackhawk in the first round of the WPIAL Class AAA playoffs.
“He’s a good, strong running back,” Heinauer said. “Last year, we saw glimpses of how good he could be and we told him coming into this season that he would be our fullback. In our offense, the fullback carries the ball and he carries the ball 30-some times a game.”
Schultheis rushed for 251 yards and four touchdowns on 26 carries against the Cougars. Through 10 games, he has gathered 1,646 yards and 31 touchdowns for Mars (9-1).
“He’s always there when we need him,” Heinauer said. “He’s a workhorse. He’s a self-made guy and that goes back to all the work he put in during the offseason and in the weight room.”
The No. 3-seed Planets advance to quarterfinals this week and will meet No.7 West Mifflin (9-1) at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Fox Chapel High School. The two teams met in the first round last season and West Mifflin won, 21-8.
The Titans are coming off a 28-14 first-round victory over No. 10-seed Knoch. West Mifflin running back Jimmy Wheeler rushed for 189 yards and scored three touchdowns, while quarterback Derrick Fulmore gathered 145 yards and a touchdown.
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