MidValleySports.Com

By George Hernandez

(Covina) – I sat down with Northview outstanding freshman defensive lineman Jeremiah “Juju” Alcantara who had 54-tackles and eight sacks for the Vikings last year. He helped them to an 8-3 record and a Valle Vista league title. Juju is also an outstanding heavyweight wrestler as he went 25-10 and finished 7th in CIF.

Q: What’s up kid, how’s it going?

A: What’s up. Everything‘s been pretty good.

Q: How does it feel to be recognized as one of the top returning defensive linemen in the area as a sophomore?

A: It feels great being able to come back with a new year and having my name out there at such an early grade.

Q: How long have you been playing football?

A: I had started playing when I was 8 years old, so about 7 years now.

Q: Who do you model your game after?

A: I try to model my game and craft after Myles Garrett. I love his attitude and work ethic to the game and the way he carries himself. I feel like I can compare myself in some of those ways.

Q: How would your teammates and coaches describe you?

A: I think my teammates and coaches would describe me as a hard-working leader that pushes everyone around him to be great and successful.

Q: What is your goal for the team and you personally this upcoming season?

A: My goal for the team is to be able to still be playing football in November and my personal goal is to be able to get double digit sacks and continue to lead the area in sacks.

Q: What is the biggest lesson you have learned from football so far? 

A: I would say the biggest lesson that I’ve learned from football is that hard work is going to beat talent when talent doesn’t work hard. This to me shows me that if I’m able to outwork anyone, I could be just as good if not better.

Q: How do you handle the pressure of playing in high-stakes games?

A: I handle pressure by trusting in God and trusting in the technique that I’ve learned and being able to fall back on that technique when the lights are on.

Q: You’re only a sophomore but what are your plans with football after high school?

A: I plan to pursue either or football or wrestling and be able to make a pro in either or be able to compete at the top tier of athletes at either sport

Q: Anything else you would like to say or want us to know?

A: I just would like to thank God and give him all the glory for allowing me to be here today and allowing me to be the person I am and I want to thank my parents and everyone who’s been supporting me. I also want to thank you for having me.