Central Catholic quarterback Payton Wehner was already off to a hot start to his 2023 campaign coming into the Vikings’ Friday night game against Bethel Park. The senior signal caller threw eight touchdowns in his first two games, leading the Vikings to a perfect 2-0 start to their season.
But Wehner’s performance against the Bethel Park elevated his start to the season from great to legendary.
The SFU recruit was responsible for seven total touchdowns in Central Catholic’s 62-46 win over Bethel Park, with five coming from the air and two on the ground. Wehner was happy with both his own and his team’s performance.
“I would say it was pretty good,” Wehner said about the win. “I think we were able to dominate on the passing side and the running side. We started off pretty good with a good kick return. I think that just started the tempo up.”
Wehner’s highlight moment came in at the end of the first quarter. With his team already holding the 22-6 lead, Wehner took the opportunity to showcase his legs, as he rushed into the endzone for a 30-yard touchdown.
“I like running the ball a little bit,” Wehner said about his mobility. “I haven’t really been able to run the ball, but I like running the ball.”
The Viking quarterback was also happy with his team’s performance. Central Catholic was up 62-20 at the end of the first half. Bethel Park tried to make a comeback once the Central Catholic took Wehner and the rest of the starters out, but the Vikings’ first half efforts were just too much for the Black Hawks to overcome.
On the recruiting side, the Central Catholic signal caller has an offer from Saint Francis, which is his only D1 offer. Wehner said he plans on visiting Saint Francis on Saturday for the Red Flash’s game against Robert Morris.
With much of his pivotal senior season still ahead of him, Wehner said he wants college coaches to know that he’s a winner.
“I would just [show them] that I can win,” Wehner said. “I think winning is the most important thing and I think that, if I can win, then they’ll come. I think I can win in college as well.”
