Sometimes the best thought-out plan doesn’t follow the script, and adjusting on the fly requires everyone buying in to succeed.
Lakeland head coach Dave Piwowarczyk penciled in Rocco Spataro as the team’s starting quarterback. Throughout the summer, the gunslinger, who can also be shifty in the running game, looked ready to carry the mantle as a team captain.
Then, Spataro suffered an elbow injury that requires repair.
Enter his best friend Jackson Pochas.
After accepting Piwowarczyk’s request to switch positions from receiver to the team’s field general, Pochas is learning on the run.
He’s adjusted well while being under the microscope and intense scrutiny.
Pochas understands his responsibility. More importantly, despite knowing the uphill climb he faces, his goal is to lead the Chiefs.
On Friday, Lakeland hosts Lackawanna Trail in a battle between teams that won their respective District 2 championships last season.
“I am really comfortable now,” Pochas said of the position change. “We have switched the offense up, because, obviously, I am not the huge throwing guy. I would rather use my legs. Just knowing that when things break down, I can run the ball makes me more comfortable in the system. I also have good receivers who know when I am rolling out to work to get open. I am really happy with the way things are developing.
“Me and Rocco have been best friends ever since the first time we saw each other, and I know how much his heart breaks to not be out here with his boys. I know that in order for me to step in and fill his shoes, how much I have to work. He is still calling plays for us, but I know how much he goes through not being out there with us. I am really happy he is there right along with me and being able to be my mentor.“
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As early as his junior football and Little League days, Pochas embraced competing in pressure situations.
He helped Lakeland win the District 32 Little League Majors Baseball championship in 2021 and 2022.
Growing up in football, he forged a close relationship with Spataro.
The two clicked and developed a connection, leading Lakeland to an undefeated junior high season as eighth graders.
Both players, and this junior class, moved up to the varsity team as freshmen. They were part of the long-term rebuild for the program that needed to recover after struggling following a dominant 2022 run to a District 2 Class 2A championship.
Thrown right into action, Pochas ran for 59 yards and a touchdown, caught 12 passes for 135 yards, and Spataro ran for 305 yards and three touchdowns, while completing 23 of 45 passes for 176 yards and a touchdown.
Last season, Lakeland won the Lackawanna Football Conference Division II and District 2 Class 2A championships. Pochas had 47 receptions for 757 yards and eight touchdowns and was an All-Region selection on defense in the secondary. Spataro ran for 257 yards and seven touchdowns, caught nine passes for 167 yards, and completed 16 of 24 passes for 270 yards and two touchdowns as a backup to all-state quarterback David Naniewicz.
“This program has a rich history,” Pochas said. “My brother (Evan) played here on that 2022 team. He thrived. My friends and I, we all played that freshman year, and we are coming of age as varsity players. It has been awesome. Winning the district championship was amazing. We came along, and with a lot of us being sophomores, it was unbelievable. But as soon as we got into the offseason, we put that behind us, and it was on to getting ready for Week 1.
“We started to focus on our goals.”
Their production fueled optimism for this season.
Spataro, an All-Region and District 2 Class 2A champion in the javelin, learned and worked hard on the timing of Lakeland’s passing game this summer. Then, shockwaves rocked the Lakeland locker room when Spataro needed an evaluation for elbow pain.
After learning the heir apparent to Naniewicz at quarterback could not go, Piwowarczyk turned to Pochas.
Pochas was willing to do whatever was necessary for the team to have success.
“In summer, we always had this idea of if Rocco goes down, I will step up,” Pochas said. “All throughout summer, we kind of worked it. But when we found out Rocco was done, I was kind of frozen. Then, I took a little time and thought to myself. The next day we were at it.
“I made sure that in order for this team to win, I needed to pick up on the small details. I needed to learn how to enter into this leadership role, and I’d say from where we started, we have come a long way.”
Despite his athleticism, taking over at quarterback was a work in progress. It would take time and patience, two things the team didn’t have as the kickoff to the season was fast approaching.
That’s where Spataro has been a valuable asset. He is right there by his friend’s side, going over the reads and serving as a calming influence.
“My brother (Dominico) was a quarterback, so I have been around the position for a long time,” Spataro said. “I had some great words of advice from David last year. Coach P has helped me a ton, too. But Jackson, he has been my best friend for a long time. We have been Yin and Yang since elementary school.
“He has responded well. He is open-minded. I have been doing my best to give him what I know, and he will continue to have a good season.”
Lakeland’s season, and more importantly, Pochas’ development nearly hit another speed bump. Five days before their Week 1 opener, the Chiefs learned Holy Cross was forfeiting the scheduled game.
Fortunately, Lakeland landed a game against Wellsboro.
On the first snap, things came at Pochas fast. The varsity game action is much more intense than practice or a scrimmage. At quarterback, he had to manage the play clock, break down defensive alignments, react and make plays.
There were some anxious moments, but as everything slowed down, Pochas fueled a 27-6 win, running for 120 yards and a touchdown, and going 16 of 18 passing for 111 yards and a touchdown.
“Everything was coming at us fast,” Pochas said. “We were still trying to adjust to our offense.”
With a game in the books, Pochas played with more confidence in Week 2 at Lake-Lehman.
After a deadlocked first half, Lakeland found a rhythm. Pochas had a 1-yard touchdown run and an 11-yard touchdown pass to Luke McFarland in the second half. He finished with 79 yards rushing and two scores and completed 13 of 15 passes for 196 yards and two touchdowns in a 42-22 win.
“He is one of the best athletes at Lakeland,” said senior Chase Rosenkrans, who has 15 catches for 105 yards this season. “We knew coming in that he was going to play quarterback. We also knew it would take a little time.
“Last game, he was in the flow of the game. He made throws and made plays with his legs. We are super proud of him, and we have a lot of confidence in him, because we know he is going to go out there and make plays.”
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The season is still young, and the Chiefs and Pochas already faced an abundance of adversity.
As the new leader, Pochas knows there is still a lot of work ahead. He wants to build off the momentum and positives and clean up the negatives each week.
So far, his transition from receiver to quarterback has gone well. That is a credit to Pochas, the coaches, and his teammates, and it’s something they will build upon together.
“We have started to adapt to this new offense,” Pochas said. “That is the big thing. Just getting more experience, the guys are all getting comfortable in their roles. We are working really hard.
“We have to stay healthy and stay together. We have to be leaders on the field and keep playing hard every week.”