Mars' Schultheis blends power and speed
ADAMS TWP — It may seem difficult for Josh Schultheis to improve on his sophomore campaign, but by all accounts, he is poised to do just that.
Mars' fullback rumbled for 1,656 yards in 2012, adding 27 touchdowns for the Planets.
Despite the success as an underclassman, Schultheis (6-foot-1, 220 pounds) has remained grounded.
“He's a level-headed kid,” said Mars coach Scott Heinauer. “He has goals and is prepared to do what it takes to reach them.”
One of those tasks is working out in the off-season.
“I attended the 7-on-7 drills this summer and have been working out an hour a day, four days every week since December,” said Schultheis, 16.
All of that work has paid off.
“I feel like I am in better shape now than I was this time last year,” he said. “A lot of it comes from having another year to grow.”
“People like to think of Josh as a power back,” said Mars' running backs coach Scott Pfeiffer. “In that respect, I think he is going to surprise some people this year. He's bigger, but also faster.
“He goes through all the drills and does everything you ask him to do.”
“He has a tremendous work ethic,” said Heinauer. “And he's going to reap the benefits of that.”
Schultheis contributed 269 rushing -ing yards as a freshman in 2011, including a start in a WPIAL Class AAA first-round playoff game against West Mifflin.
“Even in that first year, you could tell that, unless defenders went low on him, they weren't going to bring him down,” said Pfeiffer.
The Wing-T offense, a staple at Mars since Heinauer became head coach in 1992, suits Schultheis just fine.
“I like the Wing-T,” he said. “If you run it right, it's a great offense. You need offensive linemen who know what they are doing and we always seem to have them.”
Former Planet stalwart Bill Bair (2005-07) holds the school's all-time rushing record at 4,702 yards. With two years remaining to ravage opposing defenses, Schultheis could very well threaten that mark in the fall of 2014.
“I don't think too much about that,” he said. “My main goal every week is to not let my teammates down.”
Schultheis could see even more time on the field this season. He has been practicing with the first-team defense as a linebacker.
“I'd like to play on both sides of the ball,” he said.
The Planets are preparing to make 2013 a season to remember. Mars is eyeing a ninth consecutive postseason berth.
“I feel great about our chances,” Schultheis said. “I have so much confidence in this team. We work well together. What more could you ask for?”
Mars fullback Josh Schultheis turned in a great sophomore season in 2012. Following are his game-by-game rushing statistics.<B>Opponent Att. Yds. Avg. TDs </B>Franklin Reg. 27 164 6.1 2Derry 15 147 9.8 4Indiana 22 211 9.6 2Highlands 16 75 4.7 3Gbg. Salem 13 135 10.4 4Uniontown 15 202 13.5 4Knoch 17 71 4.2 0Hollidaysburg 23 202 8.8 2Hampton 34 172 5.1 2Blackhawk 24 232 9.7 4West Mifflin 15 45 3.0 0Totals 221 1,656 7.5 27
