After Sitting Behind Historic WPIAL QB, Jy’Aire Walls Maximizing Senior Season

The past three seasons, Central Catholic quarterback Jy’Aire Walls sat patiently behind one of the top passers in WPIAL history.

Walls was an astute observer of Payton Wehner, who threw for nearly 6,956  yards – ranking 13^th all-time in the WPIAL — and 72 total touchdowns.

Wehner has now moved on to play for St. Francis in the Northeast Conference of the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). With that, Walls has taken over the reins of the the Central Catholic offense, something he has long prepared for.

“Felt very prepared,” Walls said. “I felt like I was ready to go last year if it ever came down to it.”

As Walls studied his predecessor, second-year head coach Ryan Lehmeier took notice.

“I love that kid,” Lehmeier said. “His personality, everything he’s about, I don’t have a long enough interview for him. In today’s day in age, it’s so easy to go somewhere else and try something else. He sat there, and he grinded, and he worked.

The 6-foot-2, 190-pound senior quarterback transitioned seamlessly into the starting role.

Jy’Aire Walls under center against St. Frances. / Aug. 24, 2024 / Photo: Eddie Provident. PSN

“I’m so proud of him, the way he shows up every day and the way that leads this group. You’d think he was a four-year starter the way that locker room gravitates to him. He’s a special, special kid and I’m glad he’s our quarterback,” Lehmeier said.

Despite stepping into the starting duties smoothly, Walls and Central Catholic stumbled out of the gates to an 0-2 start. The Vikings fell to national power St. Frances (Md.) in Week 0 and then relinquished an 11-0 halftime lead against WPIAL Class 5A Pine-Richland the following week.

It was the first time in over two decades that the Vikings were winless after the first two weeks. However, the Vikings made a statement in game three as they dominated Woodland Hills, 54-14.

“Feels good to get over the hump,” Walls said. “We started off a little rough. We made some changes, came out here and did what we had to do.”

Walls was the catalyst of the Vikings offense, completing 11-of-19 passes for 177 yards. He connected on touchdown passes of 38 yards to Bradley Gompers and 15 yards to Maceo Watkins.

On the ground, Walls added two more scores of 10 and 2 yards, showcasing his dangerous dual-threat capabilities.

Touchdown Central Catholic:

It’s Jy’Aire Walls with the 2-yd keeper. It’s his second rushing score of the night.

Central Catholic — 22
Woodland Hills — 7

9:28 to go in the second quarter. pic.twitter.com/vbeH3dLZyL

— Nathan Breisinger (@NateBreisinger) September 7, 2024

“Everybody sleeps on my legs because they know I can throw the ball, but they kept coming down the line, just pulled it and made a move,” Walls said of his 10-yard touchdown run.

With his versatility, Lehmeier sees Walls as a game changer for the Vikings offense.

“He can be really effective. In some of those big moments, he was able to pull the ball down and extend some drives. He has some pop out of his arm. He’s a good athlete, has sweet feet and moved around. He’s done that for the most part in our first three games. He can get himself out of trouble,” Lehmeier said.

Through three weeks, Walls had completed 31-of-62 passes for 609 yards and five touchdowns through the air. Yet, he is not satisfied with where his team currently sits.

Jy’Yair Walls’ first pass under center for Central Catholic goes 39 yards to Bradley Gompers does a first down. pic.twitter.com/yEStwMyEGe

— Nathan Breisinger (@NateBreisinger) August 24, 2024

“That’s not us,” Walls said about the 0-2 start. “That’s not our team, that’s not who we are. The tram you’re going to see in the next coming weeks, that’s the real Central Catholic.”

In his high school career, Jy’Aire Walls has been shut out of a WPIAL title, falling the past three seasons in the Class 6A finals. He plans to lead Central Catholic back to its first title since 2020.

“We want it badly. We got to finish. We’ve been in the WPIAL championship the past three years, but haven’t been able to finish.”