West Chester Football free safety Jarey Elder is this week’s guest on the Hot Seat.
Jarey is a junior and starts at Free Safety for the Golden Rams. He is a Lehigh Valley product from Parkland, Pa. and wears number seven. This is Elder’s third year with the team and first year as a starter in a fast and athletic secondary.
Although he did not start last year, Elder played significant snaps for the team and made several plays including two interceptions against Cheyney and Clarion.
This year, Elder has already made an impact on defense with an interception in last week’s game against Slippery Rock.
The Golden Rams ended the season with an 8-3 record including a loss to the eventual PSAC East Champions, Kutztown Golden Bears. The record did not speak for the team completely as they lost early but went on a six game winning streak to end the season.
Despite the several key players graduating, the Golden Rams look reloaded and stronger coming into the 2017 season with hopes to once again be in contention for a PSAC Championship.
With such excitement for what this team can do this season, it was only right to sit down with Elder and get an inside look on his thoughts for this season, his pregame rituals and his competition with his brother Jarel, who plays running back for the Golden Rams.
Juche Jackson: How are you feeling about the team this year?
Jarey Elder: I am extremely confident in the team. We are close like a group of brothers and that makes our level of play for each other that much better. People stepped up where we needed and it should be a good year.
JJ: You play the Free Safety position, which means you are the play caller for the secondary. How tough can it be to have that role?
JE: I don’t think it’s hard at all. The coaches make it pretty simple and whatever I call the defense echoes which helps a lot.
JJ: So this is your first year starting and you are replacing a pretty good player, Kevin Malone. How much did you learn from him?
JE: Kev was a great player, a two-time All-American. I learned to keep my composure and be confident, but what I learned most from his was to give the most effort off the field. Whether it was in the weight room or film study, he showed me to be 100 percent into the game.
JJ: How do you manage school and athletics?
JE: It is hard, but I prioritize. I try to get as much work done as possible before practice and just try to finish all my assignments early.
JJ: What are some personal goals for this season?
JE: I don’t really have any personal goals but I do have expectations for the team. First is to win the PSAC and go from there.
JJ: So do you have any pregame rituals?
JE: When running onto the field, I kiss my hand, touch my ribs and point up to the sky for my grandma. I also do a handshake with my brother Jarel.
JJ: Speaking of Jarel, I know you guys are on different sides of the ball. How much do you guys compete against each other and how much does that help you guys?
JE: Growing up, competition was instilled in us at a young age. We always competed and it brought the best of out of both of us. We both want to do well, but at the same time we both want to be the one to make the big play.
Juche Jackson is a third-year student. They can be reached at JJ844004@wcupa.edu.