One to Watch Interview: California 2019 QB Chris Venegas Making Great Strides in Pocket for Warren

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

There are numerous ways football players can show improvement in their game from one year to another – the proverbial eyeball test and in the stat column. Anyone that has scouted Warren High School during the 2016 through the early part of the 2017 season can see the big leap in abilities for dual-threat quarterback Chris Venegas passing both the eyeball and stat line tests.

Venegas (5-9, 165) jumped into the pocket for the Bears during his sophomore season putting up first-year starter numbers. He completed 105-of-217 passes for 1,222 yards with 11 touchdowns. He also ran for 220 yards off 63 carries with five more scores going up on the board. Naysayers may have jumped on the young quarterback then but Warren head coach Raul Lara saw the potential that was about to emerge.

With a lot of hard work being put into his game during the offseason, Coach Lara and the Bears staff have helped pull the talents in Venegas forward making him one of the breakout quarterbacks in California this season, backed up by his terrific stat line. Venegas and the Bears have made a 180-degree pivot shifting from a 2-7-1 finish last year starting out 4-1 in 2017. The wins going up have a lot to do with Venegas completing 64 percent of his passes with a 134.5 QBR. Through five games, he has thrown for 1,336 yards with 16 touchdowns against just one pick. The dual-threat ability is still there tucking the ball 34 times for 166 yards with another trip to the end zone.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with one of the rising talents in California’s 2019 recruiting class covering his progression forward on the field and the Bears hot start to the 2017 season.

Interview

The Bears opened the season with a tough 37-36 loss but have rallied for four consecutive wins. How did the loss against Don Lugo help point the team in the right direction?

“The first loss was heartbreaking, especially to open the season. But that gave us a chance to see where we were on the field. That loss has helped us make a big jump forward showing us what we needed to work on to get better.”

You have a big quartet you like to throw to in Robbie Colenzo (22 rec./369 yards /3 TDs), Desmond Carnes (17/330/4), Joseph Vargas (16/262/4), and Gabriel Sandoval (8/130). How did you develop the chemistry with your targets over the summer and fall camp?

“We were always on the field, even on a Sunday or a Saturday this offseason. We’ve been building that connection for a long time. We have great communication with one another. We hang out before and after practice. Getting to know the guys outside of football over the summer helped.”

Which game has been your best this season?

“Buena Park (Sept. 7). That was one of the best games. That was a good win (51-20). That was our first time beating them. That game showed me where I am at, what level I am at this season. I think that was the most yardage I have passed for in a game (17-of-27 for 300 yards with three touchdowns). We came in confident and we put up 51 points. We just all performed well in that game.”

What are you doing well out on the field allowing you to be so productive?

“Our head coach and quarterback coach, makes me a better leader on and off the field. He has helped me become a better leader and have confidence in myself. When I’m at the line reading the defense, we will do a play the defense is giving us. If they are in Cover 2, we’ll do a Seam route or an Arrow route. I know how to attack defenses better this year.”

How do you go about preparing for each team week after week?

“We watch film as a team and I watch film after practice. It takes a lot to prepare for each team. We get after it on and off the field.”

What did you work on in the offseason to prepare for your junior year?

“I worked mostly on my throwing from the pocket. I worked a lot on staying in the pocket, trusting my throws, and developing my arm strength. My arm is a lot stronger this year than last year.”

The Bears have a bye this week, what have you been doing throughout the week to prepare for the second half of the season?

“We start league next week. League will be a challenge for us. We are preparing. We practiced three days this week putting in the game plan for Lynwood. We are going game by game the rest of the way.”

Are there any games left on the schedule you are amped to play?

“Paramount (Oct. 13) and Downey (Oct. 27). They will be the most challenging teams to play. Those teams will show us our level of play.”

How is everything going in the classroom?

“I have a 4.0.”

Nice. Have you taken the ACT or SAT yet?

“No. I registered last week for the SAT. I am taking it next month.”

What is your favorite subject in school?

“Math.”

Have you had a chance to unofficially visit any schools yet?

“I have been to UNLV, Fresno State, and USC.”

What do you do for fun when you have downtime away from football?

“I like to spend time with my family, my mom and my sister. We go out to eat or something like that. I like hanging out with my friends.”

What is one thing most people would be surprised to learn about you?

“Most people don’t know that I am a Christian. It is God that is working through me out on the field.”

Chris, thanks for your time today and good luck with the second half of the season.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: Warren High School; No. 7 Chris Venegas scrambles for yards

Photo credit: Hudl.com; No. 7 Chris Venegas in the open-field