For Elijah Welch, Westhill football is a family affair

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Elijah Welch was practically born into Westhill High School’s football program. His father, Marcus Sr., and his two older brothers, Marcus Jr. and Reggie, are all former Westhill running backs. Welch’s mother, Meghan, has family members who played for the school as well.

Now, Welch helms Westhill as its starting quarterback, continuing his family’s legacy.

“Westhill football, that’s family for us,” Marcus Jr. said.

Welch grew up attending his brothers’ games. As a child, he learned from Marcus Jr. and Reggie. He used to frequent the locker room during halftimes of games, immersing himself with the Westhill football team.

Since then, Welch has developed into a premier dual-threat quarterback in New York’s Section III. In his freshman year, Welch threw 23 touchdowns while leading his team with five rushing scores in 2022. And so far this season, he’s recorded 1,197 passing yards and 744 rushing for 21 total touchdowns.

Marcus Jr. remembered Welch, then a ball boy, was always by his side when he played varsity. One of the biggest things Welch learned from his brothers is not stopping until the clock hits zero.

“A lot of people give up very early if they feel that they don’t have it or the game is over,” Welch said. “But one thing I always noticed with my brothers, they always played the full game. They gave everything they had on the field…I learned to keep going even when you feel like you don’t have it.”

Despite being a signal caller, Welch likes to run the ball. He often absorbs big hits which can add up over the season. To deal with the physicality of football, his brothers taught him how to take care of his body, stretching before games and icing afterwards.Marcus Jr. said injuries still nag him from his playing days because he didn’t take his health seriously.

Welch was a running back until middle school. The switch to quarterback was prompted by Westhill head coach Adam Griffo, who saw Welch throw an impressive deep pass to one of his friends. Griffo immediately introduced the idea of a position change to Welch and Meghan.

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“I know there are a lot of coaches out there that wish he lived in their district.” Griffo said.

When comparing Welch to his brothers, Griffo said Marcus Jr. possessed good speed while Reggie was more of a physical runner. But Griffo said Welch has “the best of both worlds” with his speed and physicality.

Welch attributes his excellent vision on the field to his athletic background. A dual-athlete, Welch plays as a guard for Westhill’s varsity team as well. Welch said playing basketball also helps him understand different defensive coverages better in football.

When talking with Welch during or after football games, Marcus Jr. is always impressed with his brother’s deep understanding of the sport despite being so young. Marcus Jr. says it’s surreal to see his brother from the sidelines after Welch did the same growing up.

Welch now has his sights on Division I football, something neither of his older brothers did.

“That’s my long term goal,” Welch said.