Joel Pekar, football
Carmichaels’ Joel Pekar has been recognized as the male representative in the “Centennial Chevrolet Scholar/Athlete Spotlight” program in the high school fall sports season.
Pekar is a senior offensive and defensive lineman on the Mikes’ football team in 2013 and has been a key part of the varsity football squad the last four years.
“It has definitely been a fun and rewarding experience,” Pekar said of being on the football team. “As a team, we have really improved every season and I feel like this year could be our best. We have worked a lot harder in the off-season and I think it has shown on the field.”
Even though Pekar plays left guard on the offensive line, he states that defense and his nose-guard position on the Mikes’ front four is his favorite.
“I think everybody loves playing defense over offense,” Pekar said. “You get to attack more and just be an animal when you’re on the line. Everybody loves getting their name called after they make a tackle on defense.”
For the season, Pekar has compiled 15 total tackles and is second on the team with 1.5 sacks through three games.
Heading into their Week 4 match-up with non-conference foe Vincentian Academy, the Mikes are 2-1 overall and in the Tri-County South Conference.
One of Pekar’s most memorable moments on the gridiron in 2013 is beating rival Jefferson-Morgan to open the season.
“It was a big win for us,” Pekar said. “Jefferson has beaten us the last two years and it feels great to get a win against them in my last chance as a senior. The rivalry is always intense and it was a great way to start the season for us.”
As for Pekar’s most admired professional athlete, he selected Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Brett Keisel.
“Keisel is just unstoppable on some plays,” Pekar said. “He is an animal on the line and his motor never stops. Even though he is a little older, he still gets the job done and makes plays.”
Currently, Pekar has a 3.89 grade-point average in the classroom and will be enrolling into the Naval Reserves and is planning to attend a four-year college.
The “Centennial Chevrolet Scholar/Athlete Spotlight” is designed to recognize the top male and female student-athlete per high school sports season (fall, winter, spring) for the five Greene County schools.
The student-athletes are selected by the respective schools and submitted to the Greene County Messenger.