Freedoms Kalubi has the prototypical size, but not the standard football story – lehighvalleylive.com

Developing an understanding of football has been a process for Freedom High Schools Eloge Kalubi.

Actually, you can include his family in that, too.

It was a real learning experience. They really didn't get anything, the Patriots senior said about his parents knowledge of the game. Sophomore year, during a scrimmage, my mom was rooting for the other team. My brother had to tell her 'It's this team you're rooting for, not that one.'

Kalubis parents, Ida and Kamba, immigrated to the United States from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. As theyve gained a grasp of the gridiron, their son has undergone a rapid development to become a starter at Freedom.

Kalubi, who is listed at 6-foot-5 and 245 pounds, played soccer throughout his youth.

I have a lot of family members in Africa who play soccer, he said. My dad used to play a lot of soccer, so did my mom. I just followed up with the sport.

Kalubi, however, has the prototypical size and length to be a defensive end. He was convinced to give football a try during his freshman year, so he joined the team and played his first organized season as a sophomore.

I feel way better now, the senior said. Sophomore year, I was like, 'I'm not so sure about this.' And I just kept building and building and building. Now, I feel way more comfortable.

Patriots coach Jason Roeder has been impressed with the young mans growth.

He was very raw, Roeder said. He's come a long way from just being a part of the team. It was consistent improvement. Now, he's been a force the last couple of weeks.

Multiple coaches and players have helped Kalubi along the way.

Sophomore year I did not know anything. I had a lot of teammates give me tips and tricks. John Dentith, from last year, he used to tell me a lot of things to do, said Kalubi, who also credited defensive coordinator Greg Moore and offensive line coach Bryan Haas.

He's very coachable, Roeder said. Our defensive line guys over the last three years Charlie Heidecker, Mike Anthony and Duke Wagner those three guys did an outstanding job working with him.

It wasnt only about his play on the field, of course. Kalubi needed to put some muscle on his frame in order to handle the physicality of the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference South Division.

He committed to the weight room, Roeder said. He's one of the strongest guys on the team, even with as long as he is He just loves being out here with the guys and has evolved into a really good football player.

Coach told me I can't be complacent. So, I always want to achieve more, Kalubi said. I think I can put more weight on in the weight room.

The senior lineman has also emerged as a scoring threat. Kalubi blocked and recovered a punt in the end zone last week during the Patriots 42-8 win against Pocono Mountain West. Its the second straight year Kalubi has tallied a TD while playing PMW.

It's sort of odd, Kalubi said of scoring. You really don't think you're going to touch the ball at all. There's really nothing that goes through your head until you score that touchdown. Your teammates are jumping on you; you've got coaches and teammates on the sideline yelling your name ... It's an amazing feeling.

Taking the touchdowns out of the equation, Roeder likes the role Kalubi serves on the defensive line.

He's allowed us to free-up and do some different things with Kaden (Moore) on the defensive front, the coach said. He's a guy who has been grading out through the roof the last couple weeks.

Kalubi indicated that he definitely wants to pursue football after high school. He certainly has the measurables to raise eyebrows among college coaches.

It'll be interesting to see what the next level schools see in him, in terms of how much upside he has with only starting to play football a couple years ago, Roeder said. ... I think he has a bright future.

Kalubi and the entire Freedom lineup will face a tough test on Friday night as the third-ranked Patriots (5-1) travel to Cottingham Stadium to clash with top-ranked Easton (6-0).

Since dropping a result to Nazareth, the preseason favorite Patriots have gone under the radar during their wins against Whitehall (0-6) and P.M. West (1-5).

We said: 'The next couple weeks, we're going off the grid. You're not going to see us on the Big Ticket, you're not going to see the newspaper guys hanging around practice. It's all about us,' Roeder said. So, we circled this (game). When we go back on the grid, where do we want to be? Is there going to be the noticeable improvement that we need to get where we want to be?

The Patriots need to remain consistent in their approach, according to Kalubi.

It's just business as usual: go in, do our job, do it well and get out with a 'W,' he said.

And his teammates should listen to the senior on this topic, because if anyone knows about making progress, its Eloge Kalubi.

Kyle Craig may be reached at kcraig@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @KyleCraigSports. Find Lehigh Valley high school sports on Facebook.

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Freedoms Kalubi has the prototypical size, but not the standard football story - lehighvalleylive.com