Wheeler junior Conner Welch’s teammates and coaches typically refer to him as “Grape Juice,” a play on his last name.

The 6-foot-4, 210-pound H-back/tight end/linebacker also lives up to his moniker by providing an energy rush for the Bearcats.

“He’s definitely a morale guy,” Wheeler junior quarterback Logan Fox said. “He’s a very funny dude. He lifts up team spirits.

“And obviously he’s a really good player. He does it all — blocks, catches, tackles, on every single special teams.”

Indeed, Welch is in his third season starting for the Bearcats (5-0, 2-0), who will face Calumet in a key Greater South Shore Conference South game on Friday, and he plays what coach Nick Testa calls “our two toughest positions.”

“Offensively, he has to block inside, he has to block outside,” Testa said. “

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