2019 California RB George Holani Breaks Down Season and Orange Luther Showdown

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

Everyone in southern California knew it was only a matter of time before George Holani became the next featured star running back at St. John Bosco, but no one guessed it would happen this early. The Braves are deploying a next man up mentality after losing four-star running back Demetrious Flowers (ASU) to a shoulder injury for the season. If anyone is up for the task, Holani is the man.

Few high school, or college teams, could lose a player of Flowers’ caliber without dramatically falling off the map. Holani has done his best taking over the workload for his senior leader getting his first big Trinity League challenge on Saturday against No. 37 nationally ranked Orange Lutheran (MaxPreps). Holani enters the game with 215 yards off 35 carries with four touchdowns and four receptions for 78 yards with two more scores posted. The buildup is a carryover from his sophomore season when he rushed for 453 yards and five scores off 43 totes.

The Braves, ranked No. 8 nationally, will look for Holani to reproduce his big game earlier this season against No. 15 Chaminade, a 31-17 win against another nationally ranked team, when he worked for 93 yards off 11 attempts with a score. The Lancers (5-0) are a junior laden team but stocked full of talent on both sides of the ball. The OLU defense has been stingy pitching two shutouts in five games holding teams on average to 13.8 points per game making the pairing a great matchup for fans.

Holani has already caught the attention of college coaches with four offers on the table from Utah, UCLA, Boston College, and Arizona State. The showdown against Orange Lutheran is another highlighted Bosco game sure to draw even more national recruiting attention for the 5-11, 190 pound, talent.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Holani getting caught up on his season to date with a preview of the Orange Lutheran game and his growing recruiting interest.

Interview

George, four-star running back Demetrious Flowers went down with a shoulder injury after three games putting you in the huddle as the starter. How has the added workload changed your preparation and focus for each game this season?

“Nothing has changed my focus, but it does change my work ethic. I have to work harder and I have to step up as the starter. I was shocked when Demetrious got hurt. I knew I had to step up and contribute for the team when he was injured. My coaches told me I was the next one up and now I am ready to do my best for the team.”

How are defenses scheming to try and stop you?

“The defensive fronts I’m seeing, even boxes and 4-3 fronts. Sometimes when I break, they start to bring run blitzes. When they do that, we have RPOs to counter that.”

What adjustments have you made to your game during your junior season over your sophomore campaign?

“Some things I am doing differently this year are my steps in the backfield. On an inside zone play, I take different steps. We have a new running back coach (Coach Ricks) this year. Our steps in the backfield are different. Another thing that has changed, I’m reading the holes better and hitting it faster.”

How has your game improved overall this year?

“This year I feel like I have improved on not putting as much pressure on myself. I had some missed blocks and busted plays last year that I have learned from for this year. This year I am more relaxed. I know the offense better. My cuts in the open field are getting better but I can always improve. I am still working on my pass blocking. I’m trying to get better at that.”

How do you describe your running style?

“I don’t know how to describe my style. I think I am like a rugged rugby type player. I read blocks and go off that. I see myself as a little speed and some strength. I see myself as an inside runner.”

So it seems, there are no easy games on the schedule for Bosco this year. You guys got a bye after the 21-17 road win over St. John’s (Washington D.C.) to rest up and prepare for Orange Lutheran. How will the Lancers’ defense present challenges for the Braves offense?

“Some of the challenges they present are their coverages and different defensive fronts. The have odd and even boxes. They also use a Cover 2 to one side and a Cloud to the other. OLU blitzes a lot and they do a lot of delayed blitzes. We just have to make our blocks, make the right reads, and play hard.”

All great teams go forward one game at a time, but I have to ask you about the Mater Dei game next week. What has you hyped about that nationally Top 10 showdown?

“The thing that has me excited about that game, we have an opportunity to play the No. 1 team in the country and prove to others that we should be up there too. I am excited to play them. I have some cousins on that team. It will be fun. We just have to execute the game plan like last year and we will be good.”

You were already an emerging recruit before taking over the starting tailback spot for Bosco two games ago, have college programs responded? Are you seeing an influx of new recruiting attention?

“Yes. I am talking to some coaches that say they have an eye on me. Cal, Colorado, and Oregon are the schools showing the most interest right now that have not offered.”

Have you taken any unofficial visits yet?

“I took an unofficial to USC and to UCLA.”

How did the USC visit go?

“The USC visit was cool. I met all the coaches. I like their facilities. It was cool over there. I talked to them about my family members that used to play at USC. They were telling me to be patient about the recruiting process.”

Do you have any planned visits for the fall or beyond?

“I plan on taking a visit to Oregon and Utah when I can.”

What goals do you have for the rest of the season?

“My goal is to rush for over 500 yards with at least 10 touchdowns over the next five games.”

George, thanks for your time today and good luck on Friday against OLU.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: recruitingnewsguru.com; George Holani running back drills

Photo credit: Hudl.com; No. 28 George Holani takes the hand-off