CTA's Day 18 Of Quarantine With Pine-Richland's Eli Jochem
Pine-Richland wide receiver Eli Jochem runs with the football during a game against Canon-McMillan back in 2018.
SOURCE: Eli Jochem (HUDL)
Check out Eli Jochem: Eli is currently a junior at Pine-Richland High School. He currently plays on the football team and has been getting a lot of attention because of his ability to play wide receiver and free safety. This past WPIAL & PIAA football season, 2019, Jochem was ranked 3rd in the WPIAL in receptions (71) and 4th in the WPIAL in receiving yards (1,065). He even scored 14 touchdowns throughout the season. Jochem not only led his Pine-Richland team in receptions and receiving yards during this past season, but he also led the entire WPIAL 6A in receiving yards and receptions. Being able to have the most receptions, and receiving yards in the highest classification, in 6A, in the WPIAL in pretty impressive. Also, this past season, Jochem helped Pine-Richland's football team make it to the WPIAL 6A football championship game. Expect Jochem to have a big season once again in 2020 as we should see more colleges start offering him.
Questions & Answers:
What have you been doing during this COVID-19 crisis?
Eli Jochem: "Lifting and studying"
Ok Eli, in your first three years of high school, your Pine-Richland football team played in 6A. Next season, in your senior year, your team will move to 5A. What do you think of your team moving down in classification next season?
EJ: "It is what it is. I’m excited to get to play new teams, but we still have Central Catholic on our schedule for the 2020 season which is good. We want to play the best teams."
Last season, in 2019, your Rams lost to Central Catholic in the WPIAL 6A football championship game. What would you say your team learned after that loss?
EJ: "We were a young team and learned we need to work harder to minimize mistakes in big games."
What's it like playing for head coach Eric Kasperowicz?
EJ: "I like it. We run a college-like program and it’s cool to be apart of."
So, now tell me how you got first into football?
EJ: "My brother played youth football, and when I was old enough my parents signed me up. I was a center."
When it comes to sports, who would you say is Pine-Richland's biggest rivalry?
EJ: "It used to be North Allegheny, but they won’t play us anymore. So, now it’s definitely Central Catholic."
If you had to choose another WPIAL football player from another school to play at Pine-Richland next year, who would you choose?
EJ: "Donovan McMillon [Peters Township, Class of 2021], we could use a few more defensive backs!"
What is the biggest prank that you have ever seen happened at Pine-Richland High School?
EJ: "Our team getting squirted with water guns by Pappy and Dave - our 65+ year old coaches.
What is something that people would be surprised to know about you?
EJ: "I’m good at ping pong."
Brentaro Yamane: bkyamane@gmail.com and Twitter/Instagram @BYHilton13