Pine-Richland notebook: Former Rams make mark on college gridiron

By: Jerin Steele
Sunday, September 10, 2023 | 11:01 AM

Phil Jurkovec took the headlines earlier this month by coming back to his hometown and making his debut as the Pitt quarterback, but there were plenty of other former Pine-Richland football players who suited up around the country.

Jeremiah Hasley (Duke), Mike Katic (Indiana), Andrew Kristofic (Notre Dame), Jalen Klemm (Washington), Charlie Mill (Elon), Harrison Hayes (Liberty) and Levi Wentz (Albany), Jacob Domer (Clarion) and Max Heckert (Slippery Rock) are among a large group of former Pine-Richland players who were on the field in the first week of September for their respective colleges.

There were seven former Rams that suited up for Duquesne.

• Hasley was part of one of the bigger upsets as Duke shocked No. 9 Clemson with a 28-7 win. He made one tackle on special teams. Hasley originally went to the Blue Devils as a linebacker but has been converted to a tight end for 2023.

• Katic, a senior, is a captain for the Hoosiers. He’s had 26 starts on the offensive line over the last four seasons. Indiana fell, 23-3, to Ohio State last weekend.

• Kristofic is in his final season as an offensive lineman at Notre Dame. He’s appeared in the Fighting Irish’s first two games this year, which featured at trip to Dublin, Ireland for the season opener against Navy. The Irish beat the Midshipmen, 42-3, on Aug. 26 and followed that up with a 56-3 win over Tennessee State a week later in South Bend.

• Jalen Klemm made his college debut for Washington on the offensive line in a 56-19 win over Boise State. Klemm transferred from Kansas State in the offseason after redshirting with the Wildcats last year.

• Mill played on special teams for Elon in a 37-17 loss to Wake Forest. He turned some heads in April when he was named the most improved player on special teams during Elon’s spring game.

• Hayes, a sophomore, made his first appearance on Liberty’s offensive line in a 34-24 win over Bowling Green.

• Wentz transferred from Old Dominion to Albany after last season and had one reception for nine yards in the Great Danes’ 34-13 win over Fordham on Aug. 26.

• Domer, a sophomore, made his first collegiate start for the Golden Eagles on the offensive line in a 30-20 win at Lincoln. He made six appearances as a substitute last season.

• Heckert made three tackles in his college debut at linebacker as a true freshman for Slippery Rock. The Rock downed Wayne State, 28-17.

• Duquesne rolled past Edinboro, 49-7, in its season opener and there were plenty of former Pine-Richland players that played a part. Michael Dorundo started at center. He has been the Dukes’ starting center since his freshman season. Alex Gochis had one reception for 11 yards, which was the first catch of his college career. Connor Lenz made two tackles and Sam Neil had one. Luke Miller, who transferred from Kent State, Ethan O’Neil and John Swisher are three other former Pine-Richland players on Duquesne’s roster.

Girls golf starts strong

So far, so good for Pine-Richland on the course.

The Rams are 6-3 and have routinely shot between 175 and 185 as a team.

Siena Smith and Sydney Fluhrer have led the way. Smith has been the medalist in several matches.

The Rams have two wins over Blackhawk and victories against Shaler, Butler, Oakland Catholic and North Allegheny.

The Rams boys golf team carried a 4-3 record through Sept. 6.

Girls tennis in groove

The journey to a 19th consecutive playoff appearance for Pine-Richland girls tennis is off to a promising start.

The Rams were 4-1 entering a match against Shaler on Sept. 7.

They have wins over Butler, Mars, Moon and North Catholic with the lone setback coming against Bethel Park.

Jerin Steele is a freelance writer

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