Boys athlete of the week

// The Post-Gazette’s top male performer from the past seven days

The past week: One week after completing 7 of 13 passes for 227 yards and four touchdowns while rushing for another score in a 42-21 win vs. Shady Side Academy on Sept. 21, White was white-hot again in a 42-0 win at Knoch last Friday. The 6-4, 215-pound senior completed 7 of 12 passes for 198 yards and a pair of touchdowns while also adding a pair of rushing TDs for the Warriors.

Check this out: After passing for 1,006 yards and 19 touchdowns with five interceptions as a junior, White is taking his game to a new level this season. At the halfway point of the regular season, White has completed 41 of 74 passes for 971 yards and 16 touchdowns with only one interception, along with 22 carries for 102 yards and three TDs on the ground.

How does it feel to be 5-0 at the halfway point of the season? It feels good, but I feel like we’re not doing enough yet. I feel like we need to do more. [Scoring] 42 points is good, but I feel like as a team, we can do way better. We have mistakes we can definitely work on.

Have you been noticing the improvements you’ve made in your game from last season to this season? Yeah, I’ve actually been seeing the defenses way easier. It’s been coming to me easily. That’s helped a lot. The run game has been open for us. Johnny [DiNapoli] has been running the ball great, Charlie [Nigut] has been running the ball great, and I’m starting to see those lanes, too. If nobody is open down the field, I just take the run.

Do you have any NFL QBs who you try to model your game after or even see a bit of yourself in? Yeah, my coaches, my offensive coordinator, he tells me I remind him of Josh Allen. I can see myself in him, the resemblance. Big-bodied quarterback, hard to bring down, strong arm.

What’s your favorite TV show to watch on Netflix or Hulu? I watch “MasterChef” with Gordon Ramsay.

Are you someone who likes to cook? No, I just like how he talks to people.

What dish would you prepare if you had to go on the show and try to impress Gordon Ramsay?

I’d probably try to learn how to make a salmon and go up there and make a salmon. What would someone find you doing when you’re not playing football? Anybody can see me in “Madden.”

Former Central Valley QB Ameer Dudley always considered himself a top “Madden” player. What do you think would happen if you two played each other? I might have to score on the first three plays. I have the perfect plays.