CTA's Day 10 Of Quarantine With Seneca Valley's Ethan Malachi West

Ethan Malachi West visited the University of Buffalo for "Junior Day" back on February 1, 2020.

SOURCE: (TWITTER, @ethanwest21)

Check out Ethan Malachi West: Ethan is currently a junior at Seneca Valley High School as he is a starter of Seneca's football team. He has played running back, wide receiver, linebacker, and defensive back while on the football team. He can do it all, you can say. His 6'3" height makes him seem to be a bit noticeable while walking through the hallways at Seneca Valley. This past WPIAL and PIAA football season, 2019, Ethan was named 1st Team All-Conference Outside Linebacker as he recorded 64 tackles (13 of them were tackles for losses), broke up 8 passes. On offense, he was able to score 6 touchdowns while recording for 940 All-Purpose yards. Ethan helped Seneca Valley reach the WPIAL 6A football championship game in 2018. However, his Raiders lost to Pine-Richland by a score of 34-7. He currently has football offers from schools such as Richmond, Duquesne and New Hampshire.

Questions & Answers:

What have you been doing during this COVID-19 crisis?

Ethan Malachi West: "I’ve just been doing my best to make the best of a bad situation. I’ve been spending a lot of time with my family, and I'm trying to get productive work in. I’ve been using tires, cinder blocks, wheelbarrows, and whatever I can get my hands on to train with. Also, I've been whooping on my brothers in Madden here and there."

You have been making headlines recently for getting offers from colleges such as New Hampshire, Duquesne, and Richmond. How has the recruiting process been for you?

EMW: "It’s been going really well for me. I got my first offer from New Hampshire while in quarantine and the other two came in about a week later. I’m really blessed to have the opportunities I’ve received so far and excited to see what the future holds!"

So, how did you get into football?

EMW: "I started playing when I was 6 years old, and I’ve been in love ever since. I don’t know how I would of turned out if I wouldn’t have ever picked up a football."

Your team lost to Mt. Lebanon in the Quarterfinals round of the WPIAL Class 6A Playoffs last season. What did your team learn after that loss?

EMW: "Honestly it really opened our eyes (especially us rising seniors) and had us heartbroken to see how the seniors last year had to finish their careers as Raiders. Although we had good moments, it capped off a season of frustration and disappointment because of what we KNEW we should of accomplished. We will keep that vision in our minds as motivation as we come back with vengeance this upcoming year."

What would you say are Seneca Valley's goals for next football season?

EMW: "Nothing less than a WPIAL title and then hopefully a state title. I believe we are equipped with all the pieces we need to make it happen and we are making a promise to the Seneca Valley community that we are going to make it happen."

Describe to me the football culture at Seneca Valley and what it provides.

EMW: "There is a great history of players and teams in the past here at SV. With that being said, we still have never won a WPIAL title. We feel a certain responsibility to make that happen this season and change the culture here for the better."

CoverThreeAthletics is currently running a tournament trying to find which WPIAL school has the rowdiest student section. How much has Seneca Valley's student section supported your team when you and your teammates are playing on the field?

EMW: "We have the best student section in the WPIAL hands down!! But really seeing that sea of people cheering you on as you run onto the field is a feeling I’ll forever cherish. #RGOD"

A lot of high school students, such as yourself, start to get their driver's license around their junior year. They also start about thinking about having their own car. So, I'm wondering, what would your dream car be?

EMW: "Hmmm. I’m not a big car expert, but the "Mystery Mobile" from Scooby Doo seems like it would be dope to have.

What is something that people would be surprised to know about you?

EMW: "I have a very wide variety of taste in music including jazz. I also love to dance and sing for fun."

Brentaro Yamane: bkyamane@gmail.com and Twitter @BYHilton13