SportzWire
2026 News
AOTW: Lakeland’s Jackson Pochas Emerging as One of District 2’s Most Dynamic Playmakers

AOTW: Lakeland’s Jackson Pochas Emerging as One of District 2’s Most Dynamic Playmakers

By: Justin Bradley | SportzWire | September 14, 2026 | Photo courtesy Andrea Mecca | Borden Photography

Pochas’ versatility on full display for Chiefs

SCOTT TOWNSHIP — Need a quarterback? Jackson Pochas can do it.

Need a runner, receiver or someone to make a play on defense? He can do those things too.

The Lakeland junior put his versatility on full display Friday night, accounting for five touchdowns three different ways as the Chiefs raced out to a 49-0 halftime advantage on their way to a 49-28 victory over Lackawanna Trail.

That all-around performance earns Pochas this week’s Sportzwire Athlete of the Week, featured by HYDRABATHS® Swing Salt.

Pochas was perfect when Lakeland asked him to throw, completing 5-of-5 passes for 84 yards and two touchdowns. He needed only four carries to pile up 94 rushing yards and two more scores, then added a 46-yard touchdown reception.

Five touchdowns. Three different ways.

And that was only his offensive production.

Pochas also recorded 12 tackles and an interception defensively, giving Lakeland an impact player on virtually every unit it put on the field.

“Jackson is a tremendous athlete and a great football player,” Lakeland head coach David Piwowarczyk said. “He has embraced his new role and has been electric with the ball in his hands. He contributes to all three phases of the game.”

Piwowarczyk also pointed to something that doesn’t show up in the box score.

“He is a true leader of our team and is willing to do whatever it takes to help his team win.”

A hot start becoming something bigger

Friday’s explosion wasn’t an isolated performance.

Pochas has emerged as one of District 2’s most productive offensive players through the opening weeks of the 2026 season, despite stepping into a new role at quarterback.

According to the Sportzwire District 2 Stat Hub, Pochas has already accounted for 12 total touchdowns, currently the most in District 2. He has six rushing touchdowns, putting him among the district leaders, while his five passing touchdowns also place him among D2’s top quarterbacks.

His 46 points scored rank second in the district, and his 34 completions place him third among the current leaders.

What makes those numbers particularly interesting is how Lakeland is getting them.

Pochas isn’t simply piling up statistics as a traditional quarterback. He is being used as a runner, passer and receiver while continuing to make an impact defensively. Friday night may have been the clearest example yet of just how many different ways the Chiefs can deploy him.

The result has been a player who is becoming increasingly difficult for opposing defenses to account for and one whose name is appearing near the top of multiple District 2 statistical categories.

Fans can track Pochas and the rest of the district’s leaders throughout the season on the Sportzwire District 2 Football Stat Hub⁠, with updated player rankings and statistics across District 2.

For one night against Lackawanna Trail, though, the numbers tell the story pretty well:

Five touchdowns. Three ways. Twelve tackles. One interception.

A little bit of everything and an Athlete of the Week performance from Jackson Pochas.

Sportzwire Athlete of the Week is featured by HYDRABATHS® Swing Salt.