By Chris Agar (Whetstone staff writer)

The Wesley football team is undefeated, but that does not mean they haven’t suffered any losses.

Team captain and starting quarterback Shane McSweeny tore his ACL in the first game of the season and is out for the remainder of the year.

athletics.wesley.edu

Sottilare

Since the injury happened within the first five games of the year, he is eligible for a medical redshirt, which means he can return to the field next season.

Despite the loss, the team remains confident that they can continue to win.

“It’s tough to see a guy go down to an injury like that,” said wide receiver Leonard Stevenson. “Shane is a great player, but we got a lot of great players [on the team] so hopefully we can put it together and fill in for his absence.”

Filling in for McSweeny is junior Justin Sottilare.

“It [becoming the starter] is a little bit of pressure because we’re expected to win the national championship,” Sottilare said.“Because McSweeny went down, I feel like I have to step in and win and still have to win the national championship. It’s tough, but I have confidence in myself.”

So far, Sottilare has performed well. He has thrown for 770 yards and nine touchdowns this season, averaging about 257 yards per game. But he also threw seven interceptions, including four on Family Day against Del Valley.

Sottilare is working with McSweeny to continue to get better as the season goes on.

“Shane gives me a lot of constructive criticism,” he said. “He gets on me a lot, but I know he means well and he’s a good student coach.”

Sottilare continued to play well in Wesley’s last game on Sept. 25 at Capital. He completed 23 passes for 361 yards and four touchdowns in the 42-21 win. The victory improved Wesley’s record to 4-0. Their next game is Oct. 2 at Huntingdon.