Canton’s Weston Bellows does a little of everything to help Canton
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When asked about his kick return touchdown against Northern Cambria last Saturday, Weston Bellows focused more upon his teammates who helped make it happen.
It was a little thing, but it said a lot. Like all his teammates, Bellows is a selfless player. It has never been about him, but always about the team. And whatever the team asks Bellows to do, he always embraces the role.
And he does just about everything … Seriously, he really does seemingly do it all.
Bellows has been one of District 4's premier Swiss Army knife players over the last three years and he showed off his versatility again against Northern Cambria. Bellows returned the game's opening kickoff 77 yards for a touchdown, ran for 41 yards, caught a pass and played strong defense as Canton won the Class A state quarterfinal, 42-13 and earned its second straight Final Four appearance. The Warriors will play at Shamokin against District 3 champion Steelton Highspire on Friday night with the winner going to the state championship.
"I think every time Weston has the ball in his hands, the chances of something crazy happening are really high," running back Riley Parker said after running for 107 yards against Northern Cambria. "He's electric when he has the ball in his hands."
And Bellows sent quite a jolt through Mansion Park on the game's first play Saturday.
Taking that opening kickoff at the 23-yard line, Bellows burst up field, before cutting the other way. He showed off his power by shedding a tackler near the 30 and then his speed when he exploded through an alley and outran the remaining Colts. Just 15 seconds into the game, Canton led 7-0 and the opening return lit the fuse as the Warriors exploded for 28 straight first quarter points.
"Right when I got that edge and broke that tackle I got excited," Bellows said. "I saw a lot of green and luckily my teammates made good blocks to spring it."
Bellows has been making plays like those his entire football life. Whether it's special teams, offense or defense, the senior leader consistently has made a difference. Part of a decorated senior class, Bellows has helped Canton (12-1) make history by repeating as both district champions and a state Final 4 participant.
A three-year starter, Bellows has literally played every offensive skill position the past three seasons and handled all well. He has run for 1,211 career yards, caught 45 passes for 949 yards and scored 25 touchdowns five different ways. And maybe most importantly, Bellows has played some of his best games at the most crucial times, often excelling in the playoffs.
"He's something else," all-state linebacker Hayden Ward said after running for two touchdowns against Northern Cambria. "I always think he can pull something out of the hat that I wouldn't think normally would happen."
Because Canton repeatedly blew out some many teams during the regular season, Bellows' offensive numbers may not look as impressive as a year ago when he totaled 1,193 yards and earned all-state honors as an athlete. Make no mistake, though, he has continued evolving and become a better player.
A hard worker with a relentless motor, Bellows again has made an impact in every facet, scoring eight touchdowns four ways. He leads the team in receiving for a second straight season and also is second in rushing. An excellent safety, Bellows also helps anchor a stout secondary and has four interceptions for a second consecutive year.
Then there is the special teams impact. Bellows has returned three punts for touchdowns the past two seasons and his kickoff return Saturday gave him four special teams touchdowns. The touchdowns are a huge bonus, but just as critical, Bellows is part of a special teams unit which has often effectively flipped field position this season and his ability to elude and/or break tackles plays a vital role.
It also helps that Bellows never goes down easy. He is not the biggest player, but Bellows always battles and never goes down easy.
"He's one of the hardest kids I've ever seen to be tackled," Parker said.
"He's a playmaker," Canton coach Tyler Sechrist said. "He's one of our big playmakers and he has been all year. That's why he's back there."
When Sechrist referred to "back there," he meant special teams. But he just as easily could have been talking about Bellows in the backfield, playing safety, lining up as a quarterback, or playing wide receiver.
Bellows is like a lot of his teammates. He cannot be labeled by his position. He is simply an outstanding football player.
Bellows is a player who is willing to help every which way he can. But it's never because he wants the stats or the glory. It's all about helping Canton win and Bellows sure has done his part the past three years with Canton going 29-3.
Bellows and his teammates have played a lot of games together, not just this year, but over the last decade at all levels. Now only one matters and that is their only focus.
The next one.
"You can't ask for anything else," Bellows said. "To have this opportunity to still be playing football is amazing."