On Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2019, Central Bucks East seniors Chris Lochetta, Drew Bethke and Connor Burns were recognized for committing to continue their football careers at the collegiate level. To view photos of the event, please visit the Photo Gallery at the following link: https://solsports.zenfolio.com/p523069472
Drew Bethke – Rutgers University (Football)
Major: Business
Final list of colleges: Rutgers, Delaware, Towson, New Hampshire
Reasons for choosing Rutgers: “I chose Rutgers because it’s the biggest school out of all of them, and they’re giving me the opportunity to do it, so I feel like I had to do it.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in football at the collegiate level? “Playing college football has been my dream my entire life. It started to become a reality junior and senior year when I was going to college camps, and they were talking about offers and I actually had the potential to do it.”
Coach John Donnelly says: “Drew was a four-year varsity guy for us, which doesn’t happen very often at East or in the Suburban One for that matter. He played at a high level for a long period of time for us on both sides of the football. He also battled through some injuries throughout his career but always maintained a toughness and athleticism that was a blend you don’t see too often in a player his size. We are sad to see him go as well as our other seniors, but that is the cycle of life for football players at East, but the one thing he has done – he has paved the way and set a foundation for future inside linebackers and tight ends to follow. We look forward to watching Drew’s career at Rutgers as well as all the other players who are moving on to the next level.”
About Drew:
Favorite food: Lobster
Favorite TV show: Trailer Park Boys
Favorite music: Lil Baby
Connor Burns – Catholic University (Football)
Major: Marketing
Final list of colleges: Catholic, Wilkes, Widener
Reasons for choosing Catholic: “Just walking on campus, I went down on a visit with Evan O’Donnell, and it was just an awesome experience. The campus just felt like home, and I fell in love with it. Every time I’ve gone back since it’s been a better experience.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in football at the collegiate level? “Coming into the season, I had zero aspirations of playing, but over the course of the season, I just started to love it more and more. I talked to my parents, and I thought it was the best thing for me.”
Coach John Donnelly says: “We have two players who are in the process at this point and will be going to Catholic and potentially two more. A former player at East also a former coach at East, Kyle Bernard, is now a coach down at Catholic U. He also was a player at Catholic U before he transitioned into coaching. He has done a great job of recruiting talent out this area, and Connor is certainly one of those guys. Connor was a unanimous first team lineman for us this year, and his transformation from freshman year to this year has been nothing short of amazing. He also was a great leader for us in the trenches, not only physically and by his example but also verbally. Connor has left a mark on the underclassmen linemen that will be following in his footsteps. We wish him all the best at Catholic U, a great academic institution and a football program that is on the rise.”
About Connor:
Favorite food: Wings
Favorite movie: 21 Jump Street
Favorite music: Drake
Chris Lochetta – Ithaca College (Football)
Major: Sports Management
Final list of colleges: Ithaca, Catholic, McDaniel, Bucknell
Reasons for choosing Ithaca: “It’s a really good business school, which is what I want to major in with sports management. With football, I really wanted to go to a school that wins. They’re definitely a huge winning school, ranked top five every year. I definitely wanted to go and play for a school like that, so that was a big thing. And they’re passionate about football, which matters.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in football at the collegiate level? “I always wanted to play in college. I’ve loved football for as long as I can remember, so the goal was to play in college. Sophomore year when I could start talking to colleges, I went right at it. I was just determined to play.”
Coach John Donnelly says: “Chris Lochetta leaves CB East as the all-time leading receiver in receptions and receiving yards. Chris has overcome a lot in his young life but has always done it with a smile. He isn’t the biggest or fastest receiver, but he has always found a way to compete. As far as competitors go, he is a 10 out of 10. He does all the little things that you want as a coach and has the kind of personality that you want to see in a player that’s contagious and full of positive energy. Chris is going to do great things up at Ithaca. We have had other players who have gone there in the past that have done very well at such a great Division 3 program.”
About Chris:
Favorite food: Pizza
Favorite movie: Friday Night Lights
Favorite music: Rap
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