When the Belle Vernon football team did its offseason conditioning work, leading the way in most sprints was senior quarterback Curtis Wade.
But that is the job for the 6-foot-1, 160-pound senior: being the leader.
During his first year as starting quarterback, Wade completed 63 of 108 passes for 1,039 yards and 12 touchdowns. He also was a threat running the ball, rushing for 365 yards and three touchdowns.
“I became a better player by training in the offseason, working on my throwing and being the best leader,” Wade said. “I can lead my team to a successful season.”
First-year coach Scott Bryer is expecting his signal-caller to have a big season.
“He is most experienced,” Bryer said. “We do not have a lot of experience returning.
“Curtis is a tremendous athlete — gifted. He had good speed, is a great runner and has improved his throwing. He is a fantastic leader.”
Wade replaced Braden Laux, who was the quarterback during the Leopards’ consecutive WPIAL and PIAA Class 3A championship years.
Being a leader is a role Wade accepts.
“My main job is to keep everyone around me positive and working just as hard as me and not letting a bad play effect the next one,” Wade said. “I love the role as the leader. I love when the pressure is on and just want everyone else to succeed as much as I do.”
Belle Vernon did not have the season it had hoped for in 2024. The Leopards, facing a tough schedule, ended up 4-5.
Wade’s best game of the season came Oct. 18 at Ringgold when he went 10 for 10 for 233 yards and four touchdowns. He also rushed for two scores.
He is hoping for more games like that.
“My individual goal is to have 1,000 yards passing and 1,000 rushing,” Wade said. “My team goal is for everyone to trust each other and win a state championship my last year of high school.
“It is states or bust is how I’m looking at this season, but taking it one game at a time.”
Bryer added: “Curtis has worked extremely hard. It has been fun to watch him develop.”