Jeff Helsel | Mon Valley Independent
Laurel Highlands’ Rodney Gallagher threw two touchdowns, ran for two more and intercepted two passes on defense in Week Zero.
Rather than a double-double, two-sport star Rodney Gallagher recorded a double-triple.
As in, the Laurel Highlands junior rushed for more than 100 yards and passed for more than 100 on Friday as the Mustangs defeated Connellsville, 44-14. He also tossed two touchdowns, ran for two more and intercepted two passes on defense. It was an electric start for one of the WPIAL’s most dynamic athletes.
“I don’t know if anything he does really surprises you,” coach Rich Kolesar said. “You have to know to expect the unexpected from him.”
Gallagher completed 9 of 13 passes for 111 yards and rushed for 101 yards on six attempts. He and Apollo-Ridge’s Karter Schrock (146 passing, 118 rushing) reached triple digits in two stat categories in Week Zero.
As a freshman, Gallagher earned all-conference honors starting at wide receiver and defensive back. He again earned all-conference receiver honors as a sophomore while splitting time there and behind center.
This year, he is more entrenched at QB.
“We built the offense around him at quarterback,” Kolesar said, “but we’ve got another kid that did a pretty good job (at QB).
“He stepped in a couple of times last night, so there’s always that possibility he could go back out (to receiver) for a few plays.”
Gallagher holds Division I offers in football and basketball, where he is Laurel Highlands’ point guard. Pitt, Penn State and West Virginia have offered him a scholarship in both sports. Among his other college options are Notre Dame, Michigan and Ole Miss for football and Florida basketball.