Guss carries Quaker Valley football to 4-0 start after win over Beaver

By: HSSN Staff
Monday, September 18, 2017 | 11:00 PM

To understand how much one player means to a team, all you had to do was watch Ricky Guss' performance in the fourth quarter Friday in leading Class 3A No. 4 Quaker Valley to a 45-21 win against Beaver in the Beaver Valley Conference opener.

The Quakers erupted for 30 points in the final 12 minutes to seal the victory, led by Guss' three touchdown runs. In the game, Guss had four rushing touchdowns and threw for another. The impeccable dual-threat performance has been the norm for Guss in his first full season as the Quakers quarterback.

“We do a lot of zone reading, and Ricky has been able to learn that from last year,” coach Jerry Veshio said. “He has options on every single play. He has the ability to do that, and that is where the cerebral part of it comes into effect. That is where he has been most effective.”

Taking a look back at Guss' career, it is easy to understand why he is so knowledgeable about football. Before taking over as the full-time quarterback, Guss spent time at various positions in the offense.

Guss doesn't spend too much time on the bench, as he also serves as one of the team's starting linebackers.

“My first three years leading up to this year, I played fullback and receiver,” Guss said. “I learned every play at every position, so I knew what everyone was doing on every play. It has definitely helped me a lot.

“I have always loved defense. I like to hit. That is why I play middle linebacker. I am handling it well so far. Our defense is stout. I get tired sometimes, but coaches do a good job giving me breaks. Going both ways is an advantage for us.”

Guss also exemplified the type of leader he has become when the football program went through a time of uncertainty when coach John Tortorea resigned right before the beginning of the season. Veshio, who is the Quaker Valley track and field coach, took over as the interim coach. As the former athletic director and football coach at Quaker Valley, Veshio was the perfect candidate to take over the position.

“It was a big group effort that came together when we went through the coaching change,” Guss said. “We had player-only meetings. We said no one is going to stop for us. We knew it would be difficult, but knew it would get better.”

Through the first four games, Veshio has had the best seat in the house to watch what Guss has been able to do. He also knows Guss' success on the gridiron is due in large part because he is staying in shape all year long.

Guss was a starter on the Quaker Valley basketball team that went to the Class 4A WPIAL championship and PIAA semifinals last year.

“I am an old-school guy,” Veshio said. “I tell my athletes to play multiple sports. Playing basketball has helped him tremendously on the football field.”

At 4-0 overall and 1-0 in the conference, the Quakers and Guss will look to take the next step toward their goals when they travel to Central Valley.

“First goal is playoffs and then take it from there,” Guss said. “We are in a real tough conference, and not a lot of teams make it. We need to just focus on the next game at hand. Every week is important. The main goal is WPIAL championship, and you can't do that unless you focus on the week you are on.”

Drew Karpen is a freelance writer.

Tags: Quaker Valley