Welde Sets O’Hara Single Game Passing Record in Victory Over Father Judge
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Willie McGonigle | October 11, 2025
SPRINGFIELD: Cardinal O’Hara is in their 60th season of playing football and has seen the likes of Tom Savage, Mike Lomas, Ryan Laughlin, Dashawn Darden, Anthony Walters, and Kevin Parker all have played Quarterback for the Lions, and during his four-year career at O’Hara, John Welde has proven himself to be among the greats to man the position for the Lions. Welde, a four-year starter for the Lions, already owns the school record for most career passing yards. On Friday night, Welde further cemented his place in O’Hara Football history by breaking the school’s single-game passing record, throwing for 324 yards and besting Mike Bracken’s 317 yards, which he set in 1969. Welde also threw three touchdowns as the Lions rolled over to a 42-14 Sr Night/Homecoming victory over the Father Judge Crusaders.
“It feels great it’s more of a team record even though it goes under my name in the books. I couldn’t have done it without my receivers, my O-Line, my defense giving me the ball back, so it’s really a team record.” Welde said. When asked about the history of the Quarterback position, Welde responded with “There are great guys that came before me, and I’m just trying to carry on the tradition of great Quarterbacks.”
On the Lions’ first play from scrimmage, Welde set the tone, connecting with Emilio Martinez for a 33-yard gain that put the Lions at the Judge 24. Amahj Gowans followed that up with a 16-yard run, putting the Lions at Judge 8 and two plays later, Gowans powered his way in for the Lions’ touchdown.
On the Lions’ second drive, Welde showed off his arm strength, hitting Fode Wilks for a 47-yard gain that put the Lions on the Judge 23. Two plays later, Welde connected with Simon Horta for the 23-yard touchdown and a 14-0 Lions lead.
The third Lions featured more plays with Gowans breaking a 26-yard run to put the Lions at Judge 16. Gowans followed that run up with 16-yard touchdown run on the following play, making it 21-0.
After a pair of personal fouls gave them great field position, the Crusaders managed to cut into the Lions’ lead with John Fogarino hitting Jacob Brennan on a screen pass for an 18-yard touchdown.
The Lions responded on their ensuing drive, going 51 yards on three plays with Welde connecting with Wilks for a 24-yard touchdown. After a leveraging penalty was called on the Crusaders on the extra point attempt, the Lions elected to go for two and got it, making the score 29-7.
The Lions were not done for the first, adding one more touchdown, Welde connecting with Gowans for a 27-yard touchdown and a 35-7 halftime lead for the Lions. Gowans finished the game with 115 yards on 11 carries to go with 1 reception for 27 yards. Gowans is now over 1200 yards for the season.
After their first possession of the second half stalled and their defense forced a punt, the Lions extended their lead to 42-7 when Welde connected with Wilks for a 20-yard touchdown. Wilkes finished the game with 113 yards on 5 catches. When asked about the Lions’ passing game, Wilkes said, “We spread the ball around Me, Simon, Emilo, everyone ate today.” When asked about how it felt to get a couple of touchdowns on senior night Wilkes “It’s a blessing I’ve been saying it all day, God did it.”
Fogarino and the Crusaders capped the scoring with a 19-yard touchdown pass to Chase Jones.
With the victory, the Lions snapped a two-game losing skid and improved to 6-2, 1-2 in PCL Red Play and face a difficult task the next two weeks when they battle LaSalle and St Joseph’s Prep before returning home to face Archbishop Ryan in the first round of PCL 4A Playoffs on October 31. The Crusaders fall to 3-5 and will host Roman Catholic Friday night.
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