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South Xtra: Fabulous 22 Football All-Stars

Joe Carroll

Thomas Jefferson

QB, 6-2, 180, Sr.

Few quarterbacks have run Bill Cherpak's fast-paced offensive system much better than Carroll did, as this first-year starter threw for 2,407 yards (fifth among area quarterbacks) and 38 touchdowns (second) in directing one of the most explosive offenses in the WPIAL.

PG's boys' sports athlete of the week is Thomas Jefferson's Joe Carroll

Written by Mike White and Brad Everett on Friday, 16 November 2012 12:00 pm.

Last week: Carroll completed 16 of 29 passes for 396 yards and three touchdowns as Thomas Jefferson defeated Franklin Regional, 24-21, in a WPIAL Class AAA quarterfinal.

Check this out: Carroll (6 feet 2, 180 pounds) is a senior, but didn't become Thomas Jefferson's starting quarterback until this season. He has completed 115 of 197 passes for 2,246 yards and 37 touchdowns. One of every three of his pass completions has been for a touchdown. Thomas Jefferson plays West Allegheny Friday in the semifinals.

• Have you exceeded your own expectations this season? I have. We've been passing the ball a lot due to having four good receivers. So, I guess looking back, I have exceeded my own expectations.

• Have any college coaches taken notice? I got some interest from going to camps around here before the season, but [the college interest] hasn't really picked up yet.

• Many people say you can't throw a lot and win a WPIAL title. Do you buy that? I do and I don't. You definitely have to be able to run the ball, but we're going to try and win it by passing. Hopefully, it works out for us.

• Is West Allegheny the best defensive team you have faced? They gave up only five points in two games against a team like Montour. So I'll guess they'll be the best defense. They're definitely the best overall team.

• Tell me a funny story about [Thomas Jefferson coach] Bill Cherpak? I don't really have any. If I did, it might not be good on my part to tell them.

• People might be surprised to know ...? I'm superstitious. I try to do the same thing every Friday. I wear the same thing to school and I have to eat a [Italian] hoagie after school before I leave for the game.