Interview: New 2022 Chaminade Target Dominic Arango-Serna is one of California’s Best
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
The first two seasons on the field for Dominic Arango-Serna were a blur. After cracking the starting lineup at Canoga Park High School as a freshman, Arango produced 2,374 receiving yards with 22 receiving touchdowns, and he is just getting it going.
The stats after his freshman season with the Hunters told the tale of brilliance ahead. Arango torched Division II California defenses for 1,033 yards with seven receiving scores off 54 receptions with a kick return taken back to the house. His sophomore season was even more prolific securing 61 passes for 1,341 yards with 15 trips into the end zone. Adding to it all, he tallied 41 stops on defense while picking off five. The sophomore season accolades included All-City, All-Valley Mission League, All-Los Angeles County, and All-State honors.
Once the 2020 season gets going in California, college programs will easily be able to find him at powerhouse program Chaminade Prep (West Hills) ripping apart Mission League defenses. For an update on his new digs and which programs are tracking him this offseason, Arango stopped by the RNG Lab for another confab.
Interview
Dominic, once again, you were amazing on the field putting your heart and soul into the game last season. Sticking with offense, what were the differences in your abilities from your freshman to sophomore season?
I got a lot faster and I was reading defenses very well. My hands come into play and my routes, but reading coverages was the main thing for me. I was able to get more routes in and more catches in by reading the defense.
Your conditioning had to be at an Olympian level in 2019. Not only did you have over 1,300 yards receiving but you also swiped five passes playing free safety. How did your season go on the defensive side of the ball?
I think it went really well. Our defensive coordinator trained us very well. I was able to have 41 tackles, which was a goal for me to reach on defense as an offensive-minded player. Playing defense, that helped me on offense reading coverages better. Playing safety, I was able to intercept passes and read coverages.
Over the offseason you transferred to Chaminade Prep, which positions will you be playing with the Eagles during the 2020 schedule?
I will be playing slot, receiver, and if they need me on defense I will step up and play defense.
What have you been working on with your game as a receiver?
I have been taking the weight room serious and speed training. I have been watching a lot of film, learning the new plays, and reading coverages. And the usual, working on my routes and hands.
How have you added more speed and agility to your abilities this summer and fall?
We do speed training, a lot of speed training. We work in the sand and do rope and band work. I have been using things that give traction so I can get faster on the field.
With the new offense, how will your skills be utilized?
I will be running a lot of deep routes, corners, and skinny posts; our offense is built off that. There are also 10-yard outs and quick game routes, but I will be doing more corner routes and deep routes.
With all the work put into it, where are you seeing the improvements in your game?
My route running. At Chaminade we have a great receivers’ coach. He has been giving us extra training working on our footwork and translating that to our route running.
What is the fall practice schedule for the Eagles?
Right now, we are under COVID precautions. We are keeping our distance. In December, we will do some 7v7 and begin our regular schedule, being physical and closer to each other. We put on pads in December.
Are you excited for that time to be back in full-swing of everything?
Oh yeah.
Let’s update everyone on your recruiting process. Which schools are showing interest as your junior season nears?
The Ivy League schools are interested, Harvard, Yale, Columbia, and Pennsylvania. Northwestern, San Diego State, Nevada, Army, and University of San Diego are also showing interest.
Before the campuses were shutdown to visits from recruits, did you get to take any?
Yes. Luckily before the virus hit, I visited Washington, Oregon, and Oregon State.
What did you do on the Washington trip?
We took a tour of the campus, it was beautiful. The coaches are really nice people. You can tell how they get top recruits; it is by the way they talk to you. Their locker room is insane and they have a beautiful campus.
And the Oregon visit?
Man, Oregon is beautiful. They have beautiful facilities and great coaches. I talked to their head coach, Coach (Mario) Cristobal; he is a great man. You can see why he has led Orgon this far, same with the rest of the staff.
Last one; the Oregon State trip. What did you do and see there?
During my trip to Oregon State I met all the coaches including the receivers’ coach (Kefense Hynson). I was able to take a tour around the facilities and even met some players from the team. I even played games like pool and ping pong with some of the coaches too.
Once campuses open back up, are there any planned visits or visits you’d like to take coming up in 2021?
Yes, with Premium (7v7) we are going to a lot of different states. Some visits that I know of, we are visiting LSU, Miami, Florida, UNLV, and Arizona State. Individually, I plan on visiting Stanford.
Dominic, it is always a pleasure catching up with you. Wishing you continued success this offseason preparing for your junior season run.
Thank you, sir.
Photo credit: Arango-Serna family; Dominic Arango-Serna