BLUE CHIP CHAT ’23
| Norwin | WR-RB
(One in a series on top high school football players in the WPIAL and City League.)
THE SCOOP
Pons may have been one of the more underrated utility-type players in the WPIAL last season. It’s rare when a player is chosen as a first-team all-conference selection on both offense and defense at the Class 5A level, but that was the case for the Knights multipurpose athlete in 2022. Pons led Norwin in receiving each of the past two years with 52 catches in that time. Had four receiving touchdowns and also picked off three passes in 2022. He will be a major part of this Norwin team, which has a new coach in Mike Brown, who was Hempfield’s coach the past two seasons. Pons had lived in Norwin, but attended Central Catholic as a freshman before transferring back to Norwin as a sophomore.
COLLEGE TALK
Pons has already committed to Miami University (Ohio) after sorting through 17 offers, including Mississippi State, Army, Navy, several Ivy League colleges and most of the Mid-America Conference. He’ll likely project as a defensive back in college.
OUR QUESTIONS, HIS ANSWERS
What was the recruiting process like? It was very hectic, but it was worth it. I enjoyed it, but it’s not as glamorous as a lot of people make it out to be. You learn the good and the bad things about it.
What were the bad things? Schools are only going to tell you what you want to hear sometimes, unless you ask them truthfully what you want to know and what you want to work on. I had to ask some of the tough questions. Some schools are fake, will just tell you what you want to hear and you’ll never hear from them again.
What do you think made you stand out? I think my size, my physicality and the way I move. I think I’m underrated in the way I move in the secondary and I don’t think people realize how fast I am until they have to run with me. I also have pretty good ball skills, People say you’re D-back because you can’t catch, but I can catch. I am a receiver too.
What do you like better, offense or defense? Defense now. I used to be settled on offense as a receiver because that was what I wanted to play, but playing defense more is what drove me to defense. It’s more natural to me.
What would it mean for you to help bring a championship to Norwin? It would mean the world. The last time Norwin competed for a championship was 1999. But the biggest goal for us is making the playoffs.
AND FINALLY …
What is it like to head into your senior year with a new head coach? It was definitely different because I knew the old staff and played for them for three years. But it was needed and I think everybody would agree with me. We were 1-9 last year and had seven wins in three years. It was time. The new staff is truly committed to turning this culture around. I think the word I can use is excited.
How did you spend your summer vacation? I went down to Destin, Fla., and it was just totally relaxing. Just to spend time with family and rest my legs and body was great. The summer’s been brutal with a whole new staff and we’ve been at it every day and every week. It’s been a grind.