Photo Provided Santino Arlia will lead the West Virginia OVAC All-Star Team on every snap behind center on Saturday night.

WHEELING — While certainly competitive, all-star games are mostly used as showcases for players to celebrate their accomplishments and get in one final hurrah. Individual players basically never play the entire game both so as many athletes as possible can participate and as a way to try and avoid any injuries.

At this Saturday’s OVAC Rudy Mumley All-Star Football game, however, former Madonna quarterback Santino Arlia will be in on every one of West Virginia’s offensive series.

He has to be, he’s the only quarterback the Mountaineers have on the roster.

“It’s different, I don’t have anybody behind me, I’m not going to have help,” Arlia said. “I’m hoping I stay safe out there and I’m hoping that I can just dominate.”

Circumstances kept a couple of other West Virginia quarterbacks off the roster, leaving Arlia as the lone gunslinger for coach John Kelley.

Luckily, the former Blue Don is used to playing a lot as he posted prolific passing numbers while at Madonna, completing 510 of 935 passes in his career for 6,580 yards and 85 touchdowns.

Arlia also thinks the spread-style offense Kelley is bringing from University High School fits him perfectly.

“I feel like I fit right in with this offense, it’s awesome,” Arlia said. “It’s so exciting.”

Arlia also has one of his favorite targets to throw to with fellow Madonna product Evan Quering.

Quering racked up 1,301 yards and 13 touchdowns catching balls from Arlia this past season.

“I think that’s really cool too because I have a dude that I can trust,” Arlia said. “But these other receivers, they’re great too. I have a solid five receivers that can really get out and go.”

In addition to Quering, Arlia will also be throwing the ball to Weir’s Carson Yobbagy, University’s Elija Jackson, Wheeling Park’s Nate Shelek and Wheeling Central’s Caleb Ratcliffe.

“It’s awesome, I’ve always wanted to play with some of these guys here so I think it’s really cool,” Arlia said. “I’ve heard their names, I didn’t know them personally, but I’m starting to get to know them all a lot more.”

With no depth behind him, Arlia staying healthy throughout the game will be one of West Virginia’s biggest keys to victory.

“I keep hearing from the coaches that if I go down, we’re changing our whole offense,” Arlia said. “So, there’s a little bit of pressure, but I honestly feel like we’re a really good team.”

Despite that, Arlia said he’s not going to hold back at all in the game. He’s playing to win.

“I’m going to do whatever it takes for us to win,” he said. “If I have to scramble the entire game, I’ll scramble the entire game. Whatever it takes to win.”