Teurlings Catholic (Louisiana) 2024 QB Preston Welch upholds program's rich legacy
LAFAYETTE, LOUISIANA - Teurlings Catholic has a rich history at the quarterback position, and Rebels' senior Preston Welch has already secured his spot alongside the program's greats.
Welch holds the school record for touchdown passes in a season (34). He's bound to break other records this year. He needs less than 1,800 yards to become the career passing leader.
Those numbers pale in comparison to his ultimate goal, however, which is to lead Teurlings Catholic to its first state title.
"The personal stats aren't important to me," said Welch, who has guided the Rebels to a 2-0 start. "We were just talking (the other day) about how it starts right now. From here on out, with games like this week against St. Charles Catholic, we have to stay focused and committed at every practice.
"I don't want to accept anything other than a state championship."
Louisiana high school football: Here are the top quarterbacks for the 2023 season
The Rebels got close in 2022.
Welch led the team to an 11-2 record and a Division II select semifinal appearance. The Rebels ended up losing a 68-46 shootout in the semis against Lafayette Christian - a District 5-4A rival the Rebels had beaten during the regular season.
The roster took some major hits. Four of five interior offensive linemen graduated. So did the top two rushers.
In addition, six of seven along the defensive front are gone. Leading receiver Kentrell Prejean is now at defending FCS national champion South Dakota State.
"Kentrell was a big leader on and off the field," Welch said. "He kept me in check and showed me how to be a leader."
Welch took those lessons to heart. He's now the leader, the one the players look up to.
He watches over the mostly new offensive line. He takes them out to eat, something he's seen pro and college quarterbacks do.
"I love my big guys up front," he said. "I want to be there for them and vice versa."
For as long as anyone can remember, Teurlings Catholic has thrown the football with great success. Former head coach Sonny Charpentier, who is now the athletic director, had a reputation as a brilliant play-caller.
He passed down that gift to his son Dane, the current head coach. Prejean is gone, but Bradford Cain, Jack Purser, Travis Gallien, Nick Celestine and Cade Cother are all talented receivers.
Top 25 Louisiana high school football rankings (9/13/2023)
"It's awesome. You couldn't ask for anything better as a quarterback than to play football at Teurlings Catholic," Welch said. "Coming from here, I feel like I have a lot more experience than other quarterbacks."
Welch and Sonny Charpentier, who won 194 games during his tenure, spend a lot of time talking about X's and O's.
"You'd be surprised," Welch said. "Coach Sonny and I talk about upcoming teams and their personnel. It helps me a lot."
Welch's phone pinged with an incoming text as he was making the previous statement. It was the head coach, Dane Charpentier, inviting Welch to dinner on a Sunday evening.
"Coach wants me to come chop it up and talk about the game this week," Welch said. "Coach Sonny will probably be there."
Welch, a three-year starter, has the green light to audible on any play, but he rarely finds it necessary.
"It's not often that I change a play," he said. "Coach always seems to call the right play at the right time. It's rare that we look at something differently."
Welch has the experience, the stats, the football IQ and the measurables, at 6-foot-2 and 205 pounds. What he doesn't have yet is a place to play next year.
Here are 25 Louisiana large-school football state title contenders for the 2023 season
The state schools, such as McNeese State, Tulane, Louisiana Tech, Nicholls State, Louisiana-Monroe, Southeastern Louisiana and University of Louisiana, have Welch on their radar. He's waiting on a scholarship offer.
Several college coaches have expressed their desire to see Welch's first two performances of the season. He's been almost perfect, completing 23-of-30 passes with eight touchdowns and no interceptions. Two of his incompletions were drops and two were throwaways.
He was 7-of-8 for 149 yards with four TDs in last Friday's 45-14 win against Avoyelles Parish.
The transfer portal, of course, has changed the recruiting game.
"They're often looking for an experienced, older guy to come in and help right away," Welch said.
"I'm confident that I'll have somewhere to play next year. I'm trying not to think about it too much. I don't want to worry the whole season and let it put pressure on me."
Welch attended a recent McNeese State game. Louisiana-Monroe is expected to be one of the next stops on his itinerary.
The Rebels return to action this Friday with a game at St. Charles Catholic (2-0), the defending Division III select champions.
Photo of Teurlings Catholic QB Preston Welch by Robin May, The Acadiana Advocate
-- Mike Coppage | @SBLiveLA
