WPIAL & City League Football Player Preview: Eli Jochem is expected to continue to produce

Pine-Richland wide receiver Eli Jochem (5) catches a football during a game against North Allegheny in 2019.

SOURCE: Chaz Palla | Tribune-Review

Eli Jochem's Pine-Richland Rams will play football in WPIAL Class 5A after playing in WPIAL Class 6A for the past two seasons. Even with the move down in classification, Pine-Richland is expected to have high expectations. Especially, because they are 'Pine-Richland' and they have a lot of returning starters coming back on both sides of the ball with Jochem being one of those returning starters.

Jochem, who stands at 6'1", is a quick and speedy wide receiver who led WPIAL Class 6A in receptions (71) and receiving yards (1,065) in 2019 as a junior. The rising senior expects to put up big numbers again in his senior campaign in 2020. Before the month of July, Jochem did not receive any offers from any colleges. His first offer came from Slippery Rock University on July 9, 2020. After his first offer, he received Division I offers from schools in Fordham, Dayton, and Valparaiso. With colleges continuing to show interest in Jochem, it has motivated him to become a better player and is excited for his senior year of football.

"I am extremely excited for this season. I’ve been waiting a long time for it. My goal is to win a state championship," said Jochem, who was named 1st Team All-State Wide Receiver in 2019. "I was extremely happy and excited to receive those offers. Also, I’ve been talking to schools like Bucknell, Lehigh, Virginia Military Institute, Furman, and some Ivy League schools."

Jochem had started playing football at a young age but didn't really get into the game until he was in eighth grade. With the good receiving statistics that he put up in his junior season, there is no question that he even wants more receptions and receiving yards for this upcoming season.

"I felt good achieving those accomplishments [in 2019] but I think I can do even better this season and set the bar even higher," said Jochem. "I think I have a very good work ethic and I work out a lot during the week besides our normal football workout."

Eli's dad, Todd, happens to be the Quarterbacks coach at Pine-Richland so it can be assumed that Todd is a big reason why Eli is succeeding at the sport. However, head coach Eric Kasperowicz deserves a lot of credit in Eli's progression as a wide receiver.

"I really like Coach Kasperowicz. I’ve known him for a long time because my dad has coached with him for a long time. Also, it is very nice having my dad as a coach because I can ask him questions when I get home and tell him what all of the players think of some of the plays," said Jochem.

With WPIAL 5A being so competitive, each week is going to feel like a playoff game for the Rams. Fox Chapel, Kiski Area, North Hills, Penn Hills, and Shaler are the schools in Pine-Richland's section (WPIAL Class 5A Section 3). Even with the Rams facing new teams, they're game plan is going to be the same which is take each week one day at a time.

"I think we’re going to do the same thing we always do and take it one week at a time. Focus on the team we’re playing that week," said Jochem.

With Pine-Richland and Jochem having goals of winning a WPIAL and PIAA title for the upcoming season, it is good to know that the Rams return their starting quarterback in Cole Spencer. Cole will be a senior as well and is a reason why Jochem was able to put up good statistics in 2019.

"It’s been really nice having Cole throw to me every night. He’s been my quarterback for a long time now and we’ve really formed a connection on and off the field," said Jochem.

When it comes to making a college decision, Jochem will choose the college of his choice when he feels that the time is best. He could make his decision tomorrow, or he could even make his decision in the next four months. No one will know until he makes an announcement.

"I don’t exactly know when I would like to commit," said Jochem. "I would like to see all of the schools I am considering in person but that might not be able to happen. So, I think I will commit when the time is right."

In conclusion, for the Rams, they know what to do when it comes to trying to achieve their goals. It's just that the whole WPIAL needs to look out for Jochem once again as high school football fanatics from around the Western Pennsylvania area will watch his games and HUDL highlights each and every week to see if he can lead the entire WPIAL in receptions and receiving yards for the 2020 WPIAL and PIAA football season.

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