Updated Interview: RNG’s California Create A Shirt Offensive Player of the Week Ryan Hilinski

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

Class of 2019 quarterback Ryan Hilinski is off to a hot start to the 2017 season helping his Orange Lutheran High School squad to a 3-0 start. The first two games of the season for Hilinski were impressive but his Week 3 performance was off the charts leading to him being named RNG’s CreateAShirt.com California Offensive Player of the Week.

The Lancers started out the season with big wins over La Mirada (35-0) and Cathedral Catholic (37-0) in the Honor Bowl in San Diego. Vista Murrieta started the season ranked as the No. 24 team in the state of California but were against improbable odds with a schedule that included Colquitt County (Moultrie, GA) and Mission Viejo (CA). Game 3 of the season showed no remorse with the Lancers coming to town.

The game was tight in the first quarter with the Lancers jumping out to a 7-0 lead only to be answered by a 43-yard Broncos touchdown run pulling to 7-6. Hilinski took the Lancers down the field hitting JoJo Hawkins for a 25-yard touchdown pass going up 13-6 after a failed PAT. Another explosive Vista Murrieta running play, this one on the books for 85-yards, evened the score at 13-all.

Hilinski went back to work dropping back for a 40-yard touchdown strike to Elijah Mojarro going up 20-13 to end the first quarter. With four minutes left before halftime, the Broncos got back into the game on a 25-yard touchdown pass setting the score at 26-20. Hilinski, again, found a scoring target connecting with Reginald Strong Jr. on a 35-yard touchdown.

The score at halftime was 33-20, with the second half belonging to the Lancers’ defense keeping the Broncos out of the end zone for a 40-20 final score. The 6-4.5, 223 pound, field general filled the stat sheet with 538 yards passing connecting on 30-of-42 pass attempts with four touchdowns.

Congratulations to Hilinski on earning RNG’s CreateAShirt.com California Offensive Player of the Week honors!

Next up for Hilinski and the Lancers (3-0), Norco High School (0-2) on Sept. 15, 7:00 p.m. PT at Orange Coast College.

Updated Interview

Ryan, obviously, the game went well for you last night, but in your own words how did the game against Vista Murrieta go for you?

“Our defense put up two shutouts in our first two games this season. Vista Murrieta got on us early Friday night. We thought it would be a high scoring game and the offense knew we had to step up. We had their game plan down and counters for everything they were going to do.

“I remember we were clicking on offense and at one point our quarterback coach came up to me and said ‘you threw for 400-yards in the first half.’ That was crazy. My receivers were catching balls and getting yards after the catch and the defense stepped up. It was a great team win for sure.”

What clicked well within the offense allowing you to have such a great game?

“When we watched film, we knew what they were going to run. We knew we had to execute. We had some third and longs that we executed and we converted some fourth down plays. That was big time. No one freaked out on the long third or fourth down plays. We stayed calm and moved on to the next down.”

When you received the stats after the game, did you have any idea you had thrown for over 500 yards?

“In the middle of the game, I was thinking I am having a good game. On one play during the game, there was a free rusher that came at me – they were in man across the board. A guy jumped on me, I had to shake off the tackle and I threw a 30-yard touchdown pass to our running back Reggie Strong. At that point, I knew I was having an okay game. I thought I was doing well. When I was done, coach told me I had thrown for 538-yards. I was freaking out.”

Have you ever thrown for over 500 yards in a game?

“No. This is my first time. A career-high for sure.”

Who do you guys play next?

“Norco. That will be our first home game.”

Have you watched film on them yet?

“Yeah, we watched a couple of things on them. We saw some things Rancho did well against them. We have an idea of what we will do. On Monday, we will watch film on them as a team and then put that into practice and get going preparing for the game.”

What does a 500-yard passer do the next day after passing for 500-yards?

(Laughs) “His mom left to watch his brother play in the Washington State verses Boise State game. The 500-yard passer has been relaxing with his dad watching college football all day. It has been a fun and relaxing day.”

Which college games are you watching today?

“South Carolina’s quarterback coach, Coach (Kurt) Roper (co-offensive coordinator), and I have a bet on which team will stay undefeated this year. Right now, South Carolina is beating Missouri. I watched the Fresno State/Alabama and Duke/Northwestern, and I am now watching Ohio State against Oklahoma. Tonight we will watch Washington State against Boise State.”

Ryan, thank for your time today and congratulations on having a great game.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: recruitingnewsguru.com; Ryan Hilinski post-game interview (Sept. 2017)