2025 PFN Player Preview: Getting to Know South Side Rams’ TE/DE-Paul Poelcher

Tagged under: District 7, News, Player Previews

Daniel Reed | July 7, 2025

Paul Poelcher
South Side Area Rams
Class Of: 2026
Position(s): TE/DE
Jersey Number: #99
Ht: 6’2 – Wt: 190lbs
Other Sports: Basketball & Track
Notable Awards or Recognitions: 3x All-Academic Team Football
Offer Sheet: None at the moment
Twitter: @PPoelcher

COACH SAYS: A hybrid athlete that can play for us at multiple positions. Paul was a two-way force for us last year at Guard and D-End with the speed and ability to play Linebacker and Tight End. He has a big frame and a relentless motor that routinely gets him into position to make big plays.

GETTING TO KNOW MORE ABOUT PAUL:

What is the best part of being a student-athlete for the Rams ?
It doesn’t really matter what sport, we’re all one team, we’re out there to win, we could be down 20 and we’re going to keep fighting.

Why do you play football ?
It’s fun, it’s always chaotic.

How long have you been playing football(any level) ?
I’ve been playing since 3rd grade.

It’s GameDay !! What are you looking forward to the most ?
I’m looking forward to that first hit, it sets the tone of the game and calms the nerves.

Of all the road games you have played, which stadium had the best overall atmosphere, along with what made it so good ?
Acrisure had the best atmosphere, walking out of that tunnel felt so unreal. The whole experience was really cool.

If the game is on the line, do you want to be on offense or defense ? Explain:
Game on the line, I want to be on offense. It could be a shoot out where neither team can stop the other, if you can’t stop them you’ve gotta be able to score.

As an athlete, what has been your biggest achievement ?
I think being on the team that went to Acrisure has been my biggest achievement, win or lose.

What was the high point of the 2024 season ?
My personal high point was probably our first playoff game against Jefferson-Morgan. I had 3 sacks and 2 forced fumbles against a team we were expected to lose to.

What are your goals for the 2025 season ?
Section champs, and making it back to Acrisure.

What are you going to miss the most from the class of 2025 ?
Probably their humor, they’re some of the funniest guys I know.

Who is your mentor, the person you want to be like the most, and why ?
I’ve got a couple. JD Roy, Slayton Williams and Mateja Pavlovich. They’re just good at what they do, they’re people I’ve watched and learned from my whole high school career.

Who is your favorite sports star and why ?
Jameis Winston, he’s a super funny guy.

Do you have a favorite play you remember the most ? Explain:
My first sack of the year, it was against Neshannock.

Who is the best player(s) you have ever lined up against and what team did they play for ?
I honestly don’t know. We’ve played some good teams.

What stadium, (HS/College/Pro) would you love to visit for a game ?
I’d like to go to a Penn State white-out game.

What is your favorite Pro Sports team(any sport) ? Explain:
I really like the Bills and the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Bills are just a fun team to watch. Tampa Bay has just been my team since I was a kid. I like the Steelers and Penguins too, but it’s got to be the Bills and Lightning for me.

What game, yours, college or pro, was your favorite game you watched and why ?
Our game against Clairton is probably the best game I’ve watched.

What sports movie could you watch every day if you had to pick one, and why ?
The Longest Yard(2005), has to be my favorite, I could watch that on repeat. It’s hilarious.

Name one thing you’d love to do in football that may never happen ?
Take a fumble for a touchdown, or a pick-6.

Name a sport you’d love to play but can’t:
Ice hockey, I can’t skate for the life of me.

What is your most embarrassing sports moment ?
For sure when I got a pick-6 called back during our game against Jefferson-Morgan.

When you aren’t playing, practicing, or training for sports, what is your go to activity, and why ?
It’s either fishing, something outside, or video games. Fishing’s so calming and the boost of adrenaline when you have something on is amazing.

Which one, Sheetz, Wawa, or Rutters ? Explain:
Sheetz all the way. I’ve never been to a Wawa or Rutters, but Sheetz for sure. I love MTOs.

What is your favorite vacation destination ?
Virginia Beach, I go every year with my family.

If you were handed a lot of money, what would be the first thing you would do with it ?
I’m buying a car first, the rest is going into savings.

Tell us something that you have a fear of ?
Letting up a game winner, or dropping a game winner in a championship game. One of my worst fears.

Favorite Fast Food/Burger place and why ?
Burgatory, their elk burger is great.

Have you ever been to a professional sports game, which ones ?
I’ve been to a Pirates game and a couple Penguins games.

NBA, NHL, MLB, NCAAF, NFL, Which league is the best and why ?
NFL, The rivalry’s are amazing and it’s ridiculous some of the plays that happen.

What is your favorite video game, on mobile and or console ?
Right now it’s probably Infamous Second Son on my PS5.

What toppings go on your favorite pizza ?
Just some ground beef, green peppers and onions.

Favorite School Subject ?
Social Studies or Science

Favorite Band/Musician ?
Right now it’s Zach Top or Dexter and the Moonrocks.

Airplane, Boat, or Vehicle(motorcycles included), how would you travel and to where ?
I’d like to take a bike ride down to Florida.

Name one thing in life(NOT SPORTS RELATED) you would like to achieve:
I wanna catch a 60lb+ catfish or go deep sea fishing. Throughout my lifetime, I’d like to own a business.

Location you think would be the best place to live(ie: island, mountains, city, etc) ? Explain why:
I think I’d live best in Alaska or Florida. 2 very different climates but the hunting and fishing look amazing.

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