Louisiana Football: Interview with Catholic-BR 2021 SS Michael Cerniauskas

Written by Charlie Beuttel

Twitter: @charlie_cds3

Catholic High School, located in Baton Rouge, had a very good season in 2019 as the Bears finished 12-1 and reached the Division I state championship game but unfortunately suffered a heartbreaking loss to Archbishop Rummel (14-10). One of the reasons for the Bears success last year was the performance of their defense, which only gave up 16.4 points per game including surrendering just 20 total points in three playoff games. One of the defensive players to step up during the team’s title game run was junior safety Michael Cerniauskas.

Cerniauskas made big tackles for the Bears all over the field throughout the 2019 season and also had two interceptions which he returned both for touchdowns (97- and 35-yards). This 5’11”, 195-pound, play-maker has a great nose for the football using his speed to track opponents then utilizes his strength to deliver big hits. Cerniauskas also spends quite a lot of time in the film room studying opposing teams and shows incredible leadership on the field.

This class of 2021 recruit already has six college offers including ones from Navy and Army, and is also drawing interest from several other big-time college programs including Yale, Nevada and Rice.

In an exclusive Recruiting News Guru interview, I sat down with Michael to discuss his junior season at Catholic and get an update on his recruiting process.

Interview

Michael, how would you grade your individual performance last season and why?

“I thought I had a solid season last year, but football is a team game and one person does not win games. Couldn’t have done any of it without the other guys helping me out and doing their jobs. I do feel that I stepped up as a go to guy in the secondary because we were a young group.”

What was your most memorable moment last year?

“It’s hard to pinpoint a specific moment that was the most memorable because we had so much success and great things happen to us. If I had to pick one, I would say the semi-final round of the playoffs putting up a shutout. That had not been done in a very long time to that team. Our defense played lights out in that game and the results showed.”

What are your strengths on the football field?

“My strengths on the field are that I have good range, can diagnose plays well, can hit hard, and help the guys around me because I know what they are doing just as well as I know my job. Also, this is not an on the field strength but it leads to on the field success, and that is my film study. It allows me to know what is happening before it ever comes at us and that is definitely and advantage.”

Did you receive any individual honors?

“Second team All-District.”

What kind of challenges did you face last season?

“The main challenge we faced last year was probably in the defensive back position group. Our senior safety Bo Bacas, who had a lot of success as a junior, was hurt most of the season which meant young guys had to step up and play new positions. Josh Wax rose to the occasion to learn a new position and balled out until Bo came back. Also, we were a pretty young and inexperienced group. I’m so proud of the season we had and things we accomplished/overcame as a group.”

How did you overcome this challenge?

“We overcame this by working hard every day, doing our jobs, and doing it for the guy next to you. We were a tight group last year and we had success because we did not want to let the man next to us down.”

What is your practice and workout schedule during the offseason?

“Before school was cancelled, we were lifting, running, and doing field work on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Now I have been working out and doing field work normally six times a week.”

What are you working on the most during the offseason?

“This offseason I am really just working to fine-tune everything. Nothing in particular that I am really focusing on but really just trying to get a little better at the fine details of a bunch of things.”

Is there a current NFL player that you try to model your game after?

“I don’t model my game after anyone in the NFL. I can learn from those guys and try and mimic what they do well, but I don’t try and model my game after them.”

What do you like most about playing your position?

“What I like most about safety is being over the top and getting to fly around. You can see everything from back there and it’s fun to fly around and make plays on the ball as well as the opposing players.”

Do you have any college offers?

“I have six offers right now: Nicholls State, Navy, Air Force, Army, Southern, and Furman.”

What other schools are showing you interest at this time?

“There are a bunch of schools showing interest and some of them are Southeastern, Louisiana-Lafayette, Louisiana-Monroe, Nevada, Colgate, SFA (Stephen F. Austin), Yale, Rice, and SMU.”

Do you have any pregame rituals?

“Listening to music and getting locked in.”

What is your fastest 40-yard dash time?

“4.7.”

Do you play any other sports in high school? If so which sport and what position?

What is your favorite subject in school and why?

“My favorite subject is probably Psychology right now. I am very interesting to see how the brain works and why people act the way they do. Shout out Coach Jezek for teaching that class.”

What is your GPA?

“3.3.”

What do you like most about playing at Catholic High School?

“I like everything about playing football for Catholic High School. Everyone truly cares and we are a family. I know I can count on any of the guys on the team if I need something. Also, Catholic gets you ready for college both academically and athletically, and that has opened opportunities for me.”

Do you have a favorite quote or Bible verse?

“I have one of each. My favorite Bible verse is Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” My favorite quote would be “Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth,” – Mike Tyson.”

Thank you for your time and good luck in your senior season.

“Thank you, sir.”

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Photo credits: Louisiana Gridiron Football; Catholic High School Safety Michael Cerniauskas

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