Interview: Montebello QB Gabriel Tapia Focused on Big Senior Season
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
If a plan was set forth for Gabriel Tapia on the gridiron from on the onset of his high school career, the design is coming around perfectly. The dual-threat quarterback spent his sophomore season as a backup with Oak Hills High School (Hesperia) transferring to Montebello before his junior campaign. After a breakout season in 2016, Tapia is focused on another big season with the Oilers ready to take his squad to the title game to finish out his high school career.
The script to Tapia’s junior year had a Hollywood feel to it. Stepping into the huddle as the leader of the Oilers’ offense, he guided his team to an 11-2 season with a run to the semifinal round before falling to eventual California state champs Valley View (Moreno Valley). The offense hummed along with Tapia at the helm averaging 29 points per contest taking the Almont League title with a perfect 5-0 mark. Along the way, Tapia threw for 2,000 yards with 19 scores while running for 674 yards on 138 totes with 11 more touchdowns scored. All the production on the field earned Tapia All-Area and Almont League Offensive Player of the Year honors.
Interest is building for the 6-0, 217 pound, quarterback with New Mexico, Portland State, UC Davis, and Northern Arizona being among the schools taking second and third looks. Tapia’s second season was bolstered by college camp performances with his offer sheet and interest levels resting on his early season four-game highlight reel.
In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Tapia learning more about his play on the field, college camp circuit, and goals for his senior season.
Interview
Gabe, last year was your first year starting at quarterback for the Oilers. What were some of the aspects of the game you were maybe behind on at the beginning of the year but by the end of the season got better at with experience?
“Coming to a new school and a new team, adjusting to the players and adjusting to their style was the biggest challenge. The returners helped me a lot with the plays. At the beginning of the year I was antsy. My teammates helped me relax on the field. At the end of the year I was ready to go. I was comfortable with playbook and the talent around me.”
What was your preparation for each game last year?
“On game days, I would always look over the playbook. I would go over it in my head; over-and-over again thinking of all the plays. During the week, my prep started on Monday looking at their film. I would look at their schemes and coverages. What they would do on certain downs. During practice, we would run against our scout team defense to figure out how to attack the scheme.”
What type of offense did the Oilers run last year?
“We ran a spread offense. We had weapons in the backfield and at receiver. We were even in our play calling between the run and the pass.”
Is that the same offense you will execute this year?
“We are staying with the spread. At times, we are going to a pro-set on short yardage. We’ll put the heavy guys in for the extra yards.”
How does the offense fit your skillset?
“I love the spread offense. I think it is an elite offense. Colleges run the spread. It prepares me for that. I know I can take my talents to the next level after running this offense in high school.”
What areas of your game have you been working on this off-season?
“This off-season I’ve been working on a lot of footwork, pocket presence, and my strength. I’ve worked a lot to prepare myself for a beating this season.”
Have you been working with a quarterback coach?
“I’ve been working with Danny Hernandez. Every time we go to training, he has us with the mindset you are going to win. Train like it is a game. Go 100 percent. He prepares everyone that trains with him for the games.”
Have you attended any camps over the spring or summer?
“I went to an Azusa Pacific camp, a USC camp twice, and Dixie State.”
Which was your best camp?
“The USC Rising Stars Camp.”
What did you do well at USC’s camp?
“I came with my game that day. Everything was clicking. At each camp, the QBs do not know who they are throwing to, but that day it went well. I was clicking with the receivers. A couple of coaches talked to me afterwards.”
Which schools talked to you after the camp?
“Portland State, UC Davis, and NAU (Northern Arizona).”
Which other schools are showing interest?
“New Mexico and NAU are showing the most interest right now.”
Turning to the upcoming season, how do the Oilers look heading into the 2017 season?
“We look really good. I have a lot of faith in this team. We graduated a lot of guys but we have a lot of great young guys coming up. It is up to us seniors to take them under our wing. This whole summer, we’ve been trying to prepare them for this season. I think we have come together well.”
What will be some challenges for you this season?
“As I mentioned, we have a lot of young guys on the team but they are really good talented players. We have to nurture them and take them under our wing to get them ready to step up. We have a tough schedule this year.”
How have you developed chemistry with your receiving corps?
“Practicing with them as much as possible. We do extra reps before practice and we are going all out in practice. No walking in practice, no jogging. I want them to know how I throw the ball in a game and I want to get use to their speed level in a game.”
What goals have you set for your senior year?
“For the team, I want us to win our fifth league title (consecutive). I want to make the playoffs and take the team to a CIF championship. We have never done that at our school. We lost in the semis last year.”
Is there a game on the schedule you are ready to play today?
“Schurr (Montebello). That is our rival. They are less than a mile away from us, just up the street. We beat them by a touchdown last year. It is always a competitive game with them. I look forward to that game.”
Gabriel, thanks for your time today and good luck with the upcoming season.
“Thank you.”
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Photo credit: Whittier Daily News; No. 2 Gabriel Tapia pre-game
Photo credit: Whittier Daily News; No. 2 Gabriel Tapia stiff-arms an Azusa defender
Photo credit: Mid Valley Sports; No. 2 Gabriel Tapia throws on the run