Interview: 2018 California Power Back Moises Haynes Updates Northern Arizona Visit
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
The Valencia Vikings have clicked on all cylinders through the backend of their 2017 schedule posting a 10-1 record thus far. The Los Angeles area squad secured their sixth consecutive win with an opening round 54-23 Division-II playoff win over Great Oak on Friday, Nov. 10. Even in a walkaway victory with most of the starters on the bench in the second half, their standout senior running back, Moises Haynes, made a lot of noise carrying the rock 10 times for 97 yards with two scores and caught a 39-yard pass. The power back with speed has been performing at a high level all season drawing recruiters to the yard, interest that led to a visit with the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks.
Cumulative stats on Haynes season has only been updated through nine games, but in the nine games he has a line of 1,152 yards off 129 carries with 17 scores and has pulled down 13 passes for 153 yards. The 2016 All-CIF and All-Conference performer is on track to duplicate the same postseason honors during his senior year. Other honors are coming Haynes way, from the collegiate level. The 5-10, 205 pound, athlete is getting looks from Northern Arizona, Idaho, Harvard, Pennsylvania, Nevada, Oregon State, and Arizona with unofficial visits taken to Fresno State (summer) and Azusa Pacific (spring). After helping the Vikings advance to the second round of the playoffs to face a very tough Norco team, Haynes added another visit to his list checking out the Lumberjacks of Northern Arizona.
In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with one of the rising seniors in California’s 2018 recruiting class getting an update on the Vikings playoffs with an overview on his trip to Flagstaff.
*Click link for previous interview with Moises Haynes
Interview
Moises, since we last spoke the Vikings have been on a roll winning six consecutive games, what has changed with the team or if it applies better, what is the team doing better leading to all the victories?
“Practice – we have picked up our focus in practice since our loss to Calabasas (65-63) going into league. During league, we were not just preparing for our opponent but also preparing for the playoffs. We’ve been focused in for weeks.”
Your game continues to round out on the field, the Vikings staff has gotten you more involved in the passing attack, how is that working for you?
“I really like it. I can run and I can catch. I feel like that makes me even more dangerous. It allows me to bring another asset to the team.”
Have you made any other adjustments to your game as the competition has gotten thicker in league play?
“My coach always tells me to run vertical. Because I am a bigger back with more power than speed, if I go north and south it is hard to tackle me. I have made improvement on that.”
You guys took down Great Oak (54-23) on Friday, how did the game go for you?
“It felt good. The Great Oak game was the first game in a while that I felt completely healthy again. It is coming at a crucial stage in the season.”
The team gets a very challenging matchup in the next round against Norco (7-4), how are you guys going to attack their defense?
“We know that they have a solid defense. They are a solid team all-around. We know what we need to do. When it comes to the run game, we have to keep doing what we’ve been doing all season. With our passing game, our receivers have to do their job. I’m not worried about our line. I think we have one of the best lines in southern California.”
What can fans expect watching the Vikings and Cougars collide?
“It will be a big game, a great game. This is an away game, that will be fun for us. It will be exciting. I’m looking forward to this week – I’m looking forward to our practices this week. If we do everything right, we should be just fine against Norco.”
If you will, update me on your recruiting interest since our last interview.
“I have a scheduled visit this Saturday with Idaho depending on how the playoff game goes. I have a call scheduled with Sacramento State this week, I might go to Sacramento State in a couple of weeks. That is what I plan on talking to them about this week. I am also planning on visiting Arizona and Northern Arizona again.”
You visited Northern Arizona over the weekend, how did it go?
“Coach (Jimmy) Beal (running backs coach) likes me. He knows my coaches. He is looking forward to me coming back for another visit.”
What did you think of NAU during your visit?
“I loved it – from the academics to the football program. They went over my expectations. We had a campus tour, the campus is beautiful and they have my major. We were on the sidelines before the game, that was fun. I saw them play Montana State. They won 37-36. That was a really good game. I got to talk to two of their running backs, one of them played for Norco a couple of years ago (Cory Young). It was a really fun night.”
You may visit them again, but how was everything left on expectations going forward with recruiting?
“I don’t know. We’ll see. I am sending in my transcripts this week. Hopefully I will have my ACT scores in to give to them as well.”
Moises, congratulations on the playoff win and the successful trip to NAU. Thanks for your time today and good luck against Norco on Friday.
“Thank you.”
Please help keep RecruitingNewsGuru.com a national site aiding in bringing exposure to amazing student-athletes!
If RNG has helped you, a friend, or a family member through an article, video, or stylized interview with our countless hours of free promotion for high school, junior college, and college athletes – please donate. Any amount is appreciated!
Photo credit: Haynes family; Moises Haynes with No. 22 Joe Logan and No. 6 Cory Young