Interview: Hard-Fought 2017 Season Preparing 2020 QB Blake Adams for Breakout Season
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
The 2017 season was a tough one for Simi Valley on the gridiron. Coming off a 4-6 campaign in 2016, the Pioneers lost a lot of seniors taking the field in 2017 with a roster loaded with underclassmen. The team took their lumps early in the year but then something magical started happening. By the fourth game of the season the squad started clicking. By Game 5 they notched their first win finishing out the season competing in each and every game. One of the talents that took his lumps in 2017 was Class of 2020 quarterback Blake Adams. But don’t hang your head for Adams, the QB Hit List three-star rated field general is bound and determined to take the lessons learned during his sophomore into a breakout season in 2018.
Stats can tell a lot of stories, and one story the numbers explain about the Pioneers in 2017, the offense had troubles running the ball. Per MaxPreps, the Pioneers accumulated 774 yards for the season in stats posted through nine games. A limited running game typically allows defenses to pin their ears back and get after the quarterback. Adams was tough in the pocket extending plays while delivering strikes downfield to his receivers throwing for 1,112 yards with six touchdowns in stats through seven games.
The offseason for any sport is the time for improvement and growth leading to future success. When talking football with Adams, a determination comes through in 6-1, 170 pound, quarterback’s voice with a singular focus on taking his game to the next level while turning the Pioneers into a feared Canyon League team. In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I caught up with Adams covering his sophomore season on the field and his offseason goals.
Interview
Blake, the 2017 season was full of learning opportunities for you. Looking back, what are some learning points from the year that you will take with you that will help you be an even better quarterback going forward?
“I started the year on junior varsity but I was up on varsity after two games. After talking with my coach a lot, leadership is something that I learned. I will take control of the team and be a leader on the field going forward. I will step that up. I learned a lot about the little things on the field last year. Varsity is tougher than JV. I have to take the lessons learned and transfer it to next season.”
What type of offense did the Pioneers execute last season?
“We ran the Spread. We never really went under center.”
How does that offense fit your talents?
“I like it. I like passing. Passing is what I like, I’m a quarterback. I like having four or five receivers running routes at the same time. I like all the guys going on routes, reading defenses, and making plays.”
Will the team run the same offense in 2018?
“Yes. I am positive that we will.”
Which areas of your game saw the most growth last season?
“I got better at reading defenses. I got better at not staring down a receiver. In JV ball, everyone is open. I improved on making a safety count and looking at field leverage. I worked on my mechanics a lot. My coaches told me I threw the ball like a dart. I got a quarterback coach help me fine-tune my mechanics. That is coming long well now.”
How did you prepare for each game last season?
“I tried to do everything the same each week. Quarterbacks have a lot of pressure. I tried to keep it the same and not make it a big deal about any one game over the other. I never got over hyped for a game. I stayed calm and did not make a big deal about the games. During the week, I would watch film on Hudl every day. I would go over all the plays and defenses we might see. If there was something I was not familiar with I would ask questions and ask what play to call against it.”
Which game was your best in 2017?
“My best game was against Moorpark. I think the team’s best game was against Royal.”
What did you do well against Moorpark to make that your best game?
“They have a reputation for being a good team. I did not let that get to me. I went out and played like there were no expectations of me. I played my game and did not worry about it. Against Royal, the competitiveness of the game made that one of our best games.”
You’ve mentioned a couple of things you are working on this spring, what else are you working on this offseason?
“I practice six days a week. I spend a couple of days doing speed and agility training, I’m lifting twice a week, and twice a week I am with a QB coach working on mechanics.”
What are you working on with your private quarterback coach?
“I am working with Sam Fisher. We work in Sherman Oaks at Notre Dame High School. He changed my whole throwing motion – my windup to my release. We are working on snapping the wrist through my release and getting my legs more involved. He changed everything with my mechanics. That helped me a lot.”
Are you playing 7v7 ball this spring?
“I am playing with Gridiron Academy 805.”
How is that helping you?
“It is helping me lot with reading defenses and my placement. With 7v7, defenses know it is a pass, so the coverage is better. Footwork wise, 7v7 is not realistic to game situations.”
Are you planning on attending any camps or combines this offseason?
“I will be at the Adidas Three-Stripe Camp. Summer camps I’m looking at are Northern Arizona, Stanford, UCLA, Oregon, Montana, and Sacramento State.”
How is everything going in the classroom?
“I have a 3.6 GPA.”
What is your favorite subject in school?
“I like science.”
Who is your favorite all-time NFL player?
“Peyton Manning (Colts and Broncos) is my favorite all-time player.”
Is there a college or NFL player you watch to learn more about the game?
“I liked watching Oklahoma this year. Baker Mayfield, I like his game. I like watching Carson Wentz (Philadelphia Eagles) play at the NFL level.”
Blake, thanks for your time today and good luck with the rest of your offseason workouts.
“Thank you.”
Please help keep RecruitingNewsGuru.com a national site aiding in bringing exposure to amazing student-athletes!
If RNG has helped you, a friend, or a family member through an article, video, or stylized interview with our countless hours of free promotion for high school, junior college, and college athletes – please donate. Any amount is appreciated!
Photo credit: BB Pro Image; Blake Adams in action (2017)