When the high school football season in Pennsylvania officially began three weeks ago, WPIAL coaches knew very little about Justin Sliwoski.
That is changing in a hurry.
The Hempfield quarterback is fast becoming one of the top signal callers and has had a huge hand in helping No. 3-ranked Hempfield to a 3-0 start.
“Not everyone knows me, but obviously, now is my time,” said Sliwoski, a 6-foot-2, 190-pound junior who enters Friday night's Class 6A nonconference game against No. 1 Central Catholic (2-1) at Carnegie Mellon among the WPIAL passing leaders with 705 yards.
He's played impressively so far in his first season as a varsity starter, though he started one game for Hempfield in 2014 as a freshman, passing for 301 yards in a victory over Fox Chapel.
“His potential is unlimited,” Hempfield coach Rich Bowen said. “His understanding of the game is phenomenal for a high school player. He is enjoying the process of becoming a productive quarterback.”
High praise from a guy who knows a thing or two about the position.
Bowen was a highly sought-after prospect back in his high school days at Serra Catholic, where he was a Parade All-American quarterback who signed with Pitt and later transferred to Youngstown State.
Sliwoski, whose older brother, Ryan, played receiver for Hempfield, began observing the quarterback position with great interest as seventh-grade player — the year Bowen arrived at Hempfield — and the two started to click.
“I watched him then, and he wasn't intimidated being here,” Bowen said. “You understood that he was someone who could be special, and now he's doing everything it takes — the extra things, such as weightlifting, and watching film and studying the board, and traveling to camps — to get to the next level.”
Penn State has invited Sliwoski to attend the Nittany Lions' game against Temple on Saturday afternoon at Beaver Stadium as an unofficial visit. But before that, he will visit Carnegie Mellon on Friday in hopes of leading Hempfield to an upset of powerful Central Catholic, which won the PIAA Class AAAA championship in 2015.
Bowen is excited for Sliwoski's progress. At a recent practice, the Spartans coach stood in front of a blackboard and explained a formation involving four receivers.
“Justin could play in several systems. He's that versatile,” Bowen said. “He could play in a pro-style system, and he certainly can play in the spread.”
Hempfield's offense operates mainly out of a no-huddle set, making use of a number of receivers, and it appears to have benefited Sliwoski, who has completed 52 of 88 attempts with five touchdowns and just two interceptions. He's also rushed for 190 yards on 41 carries, an average of 4.6 yards per carry.
Bowen explained that most high school quarterbacks, he feels, can recognize the primary receiver and perhaps the second option are covered.
“But he's able to move his feet because of his agility and square around and see the entire field and determine in a moment's notice who he's going to target based on the defense,” Bowen said of Sliwoski. “He's really catching on.”
Sliwoski said he hasn't garnered much college interest so far, but he's not concerned. After all, he's just a junior, and he hasn't played much quarterback.
As a sophomore, Sliwoski played mainly on defense at cornerback. This season, his role has been reversed. Come Saturday, Sliwoski hopes to learn more about his real position when he shows up at Penn State.
“It means he's on the radar,” Bowen said. “They've obviously known about him, and they like what they see.”
Dave Mackall is a freelance writer.
