Linganore High School (LHS) has always had a well renowned football program. During his high school years, Division 1 (D1) quarterback Christian Petruzello has led the LHS team to success. Although, Linganore has had a backup just waiting for his shot. Senior Shawn Pelovitz was pulled up to the varsity team during his sophomore season; yet, his chance to marshall the team to victory never arrived. Pelovitz served as the backup for three years, with two of those years being underPetruzello who graduated from LHS in 2024 and committed to Bucknell University.
As he is beginning his senior year, Pelovitz feels like it is his responsibility to lead the team.
Pelovitz explained that he does not feel too much pressure when he is on the field. He plays how he has always been taught and he works hard to stay consistent.
“I don’t think I’m under a lot of pressure. I kind of just go out, I play my own style, [and] I play my own game. The way I’m able to maintain this is my performance in practice and hard work in practice; it just translates to the game,” Pelovitz said.
Embracing the backup quarterback position is something only real athletes can do. Pelovitz fits the bill. When it comes to being a backup, they have to learn everything, and repeatedly do something better than you did before. Also being the backup, Pelovitz had to learn from his peers, and other teammates.
“I was able to learn a lot from the guys in front of me, especially Christian because I was behind him for two years and now I am able to use those things in my game right now.” Pelovitz said.
Everyone wishes that they can be the starter, but Pelovitz fully embraced being the backup with pure optimism and joy. While Pelovitz was mildly disappointed, he knew that at one point he was going to be the best, and used being the backup as rather a chance to learn anything he didn’t already know.
Pelovitz was already a phenomenal quarterback but just like other players, he could continually get better and better. Pelovitz seems to always have an amazing relationship with the people involved in his football life, specifically, his quarterback coach whom he has trained with since sixth grade to get better.
“I trained in the off season with a quarterback coach that I have worked with since I was in the 6th grade to get better. I was always in the weight room and out on the field getting faster and stronger.” Pelovitz said.
Another coach who has improved Pelovitz in many ways is varsity coach Richard “Rick” Conner. He is one of the most decorated coaches in the state of Maryland. Conner has been the head coach for the LHS football team since 2001. Since then, the team has won three state championships. Conner is still coaching the Lancers as they head into the 2024-2025 season.
Conner has many goals for this upcoming season but one shines more than the others.
“[My goal is to] play to our potential,” Conner said. “We want to make sure we achieve at the highest level that we’re capable of.”
In addition to coaching football, Conner has coached other sports including basketball, track and swimming. He also serves as a physical education teacher at Linganore.
Pelovitz’s leading wide receiver this season is Gavin Patterson. They have built a strong connection over the past off-season and look forward to dominating opposing defenses.
Patterson has been leading the team for the past two games in receiving yards and receiving touchdowns as well. As the season progresses, these two will continue building their connection and chemistry.
Patterson reported that he admires Pelovitz leadership and dedication.
“He’s always encouraging us to do better,” Patterson said.
LHS leading rusher, junior Bradly Matthews, has been a dominant force for the Lancers so far during his first varsity season. He has been inspired by Pelovitz in many ways, but mainly his leadership. Matthews currently has 710 all-purpose yards, 44 rushes and 9 total touchdowns this season. Pelovitz and Matthews have a connection that is stronger than just football; they have built a strong friendship off the field as well.
“We make jokes and everything,” Matthews said. “We talk a lot. That’s my homie.”
Pelovitz has always had an impeccable relationship with his team and coaches. When it comes down to a quarterback, the coach wants a leader and a humble kid who knows how to do his job. Coach Kevin Clancy has been Pelovitz’s quarterback coach and the offensive coordinator all three years he has been on varsity.
“Leadership and coachability,” Clancy said. “[Shawn] does everything he’s asked to do; [it] makes my job really easy.”
When trying to be a high school sports star, the athlete wants to leave a legacy and wants everyone to know how great of an athlete they are. For Pelovitz, however, he has been playing football for many years, and his senior year is very important to prove himself. Being quarterback for his last high school season, this is Pelovitz’s final chance to show colleges how you play and if you are ready for a college team.
I want to be seen as a good leader, not only on the field, but off the field as well. But also be able to be seen as a great playmaker,” Pelovitz said.
