Interview: Ryan Hilinski Week 3 Vista Murrieta vs. Orange Lutheran Preview

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

 

Ryan Hilinski Profile

Height and Weight: 6-4.5, 223

Position: Quarterback

Classification: 2019

Recruiting Ranking: 4-Star

 

High School: Orange Lutheran High School – Trinity League – Division I

2018 Lancers Record: 1-1 – ranked No. 24 nationally, No. 7 in California (MaxPreps)

2018 Stats (2 games): 56 of 81 for 624 with six touchdowns; one rushing touchdown

2017 Lancers Record: 6-6

2017 Stats (10 games): 294-of-421 for 3,749 yards with 33 touchdowns against just six interceptions and six rushing touchdowns

2016 Record: 5-6

2016 Stats (10 games): 124-of-229, 1,582 yards passing, 12 touchdowns; three rushing touchdowns

 

Interest: Washington, USC, Stanford, Kentucky, UCLA, Colorado State, Indiana, Nevada, Colorado, Notre Dame, Vanderbilt, and Tennessee

Offers (24): South Carolina, Georgia, UCLA, Ohio State, LSU, Washington State, Arizona State, Boise State, Duke, San Jose State, Northwestern, Fresno State, Oregon, Montana State, North Carolina State, Oregon State, Rutgers, Boston College, Missouri, Ole Miss, Texas A&M, and Utah

Commitment: South Carolina on April 4, 2018

 

Honors: Ryan Hilinski was named one of the Elite 11 finalist with an invite to Nike’s The Opening

*Click link for Week 2 RNG post-game video interview with Ryan Hilinski

In the third installment of a weekly series with the four-star quarterback that will run throughout the season, I got the inside scoop on Orange Lutheran’s game against then- No. 11 ranked Centennial, getting a preview of the Lancers’ Week 3 contest against Vista Murrieta. I also found out how Hilinski will be watching his beloved South Carolina Gamecocks play Coastal Carolina on Saturday.

Interview

Ryan, after getting a chance to watch last week’s game footage, what were some of the things you felt you did well against Centennial?

“There are different stats out there, but our passing offense did really well against Centennial. I only had five incompletions, threw for three touchdowns (Kyle Ford 2, Logan Loya 1) and ran for one. It is good to have that kind of test early. Coach (Matt) Logan (Centennial) showed why he is one of the best in the business against us. He made great adjustments for Centennial in the second half.”

Being the competitor that you are, I know you are always looking to improve your game. What were some of the things you saw on the game film that you worked on this week in practice?

“When we watched the film, we had 16 plays that could have changed the outcome of the game. We had a lot of mental mistakes – needing to throw to the right guy, blocks in the back, missed blocks, things like that. From San Juan Hills In Week 1 to last week, we had some major improvements, but we just cannot have mental mistakes against a team like Centennial and expect to win.”

Do you have any metaphorical game balls to hand out to the team from the Centennial game?

“You can hand one to Kyle Ford every game. Logan Loya – he is another guy with some great catches. Jojo Hawkins had some big plays for us as well. The three guys starting their first varsity game on our offensive line – Jonathan Engelbrecht and Wesley Uipi at center, all three of those guys got their first varsity reps starting against a very good Centennial team. I am proud of those guys.”

The Lancers get another home game this week against Vista Murrieta, what are you expecting from their defense?

“We have proven on offense that we can throw the ball, we are one of the best teams in the country at doing that. When Centennial went man, we torched them in the passing game. When they went zone, we could not run the ball. We are expecting that. Heritage (Game 4 of 2018) dropped eight last year and I threw for 300 and I threw for 572 yards against Vista last year.”

After facing Vista Murrieta, the Lancers get a bye week; what are you going to do during the bye week?

“I am resting. We have a lot of guys that are injured. We thought the bye week was a bad spot to start the year but that is the best thing for us right now. We have to get our mind right for Heritage and get ready for league during our bye.”

On Saturday, the South Carolina Gamecocks open the season against Coastal Carolina, how are you going to take in the game?

“Oh my God! I am ready to see those guys play. I have had a lot of good conversations with Coach (Will) Muschamp and Coach (Dan) Warner (quarterbacks), they are ready to go. I know they will get it done against Coastal Carolina. I am excited to see them compete.”

From a future Gamecocks’ quarterback perspective, how will you watch the game, as a fan or studying the offense?

“Great question. I will be studying the offense. Coach Warner told me to look for stuff we could have done better and plays we could have run in different situations.”

Ryan, I appreciate your time today. Good luck against Vista Murrieta on Friday.

“Thank you.”

2018 Orange Lutheran Schedule

Week 1: San Juan Hills 27-7 win at Stallion Stadium

Week 2: Centennial (Corona) lost 45-28 at Orange Coast College

Week 3: Vista Murrieta at Orange Coast College

Week 4: Bye

Week 5: at Heritage (Romoland)

Week 6: Mission Viejo at Orange Coast College

Week 7: Santa Margarita at Orange Coast College

Week 8: at St. John Bosco

Week 9: at JSerra Catholic

Week 10: vs. Servite at Cerritos College

Week 11: Mater Dei at Orange Coast College

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Photo credit: recruitingnewsguru.com; No. 3 Ryan Hilinski vs. Centennial