Interview: 2019 California QB Hank Bachmeier Duplicating Freshman Success Early in 2016

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

When talented players like Hank Bachmeier explode onto the scene, they take no prisoners. Few could have expected the type of season the Murrieta Valley quarterback turned in as a freshman in 2015. Playing against top California talent, the gunslinger, who can run, threw for 2,854 yards with 36 touchdowns. He also moved the chains adding 215 yards on the ground with three more scores.

The Nighthawks went 9-3 in 2015 with all excited to see if the 6-2, 197 pound, rising star can duplicate his success from a year ago while besting his own personal statistics. Murrieta Valley has jumped out to a 2-0 record beating Santiago (55-31) and Redlands (41-28). Through the two games, Bachmeier has thrown for 412 yards with five touchdowns against one pick. Thus far he is outperforming his play on the field from last year. In 2015, he completed 67 percent of his passes with eight picks. Bachmeier has been on target so far completing 72 percent of his attempts (28 of 39).

Murrieta Valley has a lot of talent on the squad, especially at the skill position. The group is led by 2017 wide receiver/athlete Maurice Bell (Colorado) and TJ Griffin along with Class of 2018 standouts Marquis Spiker. Olita Palmer is leading the team in rushing with 106 yards on 16 carries but Bachmeier is nipping at his heels for the team lead with 11 carries covering 99 yards.

The Nighthawks have a tough three-game stretch ahead playing Grandview (Aurora, CO) on Friday followed by road games at Rancho Cucamonga and Oaks Christian just to return home to play Vista Murrieta.

Before Bachmeier is put to the test during his sophomore season, I sat down with him for a one-on-one getting an overview on his off-season workouts and an update on his season thus far.

Interview

Hank, I know you had a busy summer. Which camps did you attend?

“I went to a few actually. I took a lot of college visits this summer. I went to Michigan and camped there. I went to Stanford as well. I also went to Cal, Washington, Arizona, Texas A&M, and that’s it.”

Which camp did you perform your best?

“I would say Cal and Michigan were my best camps.”

What did you do well at both camps to standout?

“I was consistent with my performance. I felt comfortable because Cal and Michigan had been to my school, I was familiar with the coaches. I felt comfortable at both camps with the coaching staff.”

What are some of the things you learned at the various camps that you are taking with you into the season?

“As far as being a better quarterback, preparing more and watching more film. You are always working on your craft throughout the season. Being accurate and consistent is important. I’ve come into the season preparing better knowing what the defense is doing so we can perform well as a team.”

What have you been working on in the off-season and into the 2016 campaign?

“I’m cleaning some things up and getting quicker with my reads. I’m not as focused on my mechanics right now but more focused on winning games. You can always have quicker feet.”

You guys are two games into the season. How is the team looking and how is the team doing overall in those two games?

“Everything is going well as far as our preseason hype. I think we are ranked No. 25 in the state and No. 2 within our division behind a powerhouse in Vista Murrieta. The attention for our school has been great. Our school has not had that much exposure in the past. Going into the season we are playing as expected but we can get better. Over the first couple of games we have been trying to execute our plays and that will get better as season goes on. We play Grandview from Colorado next. That should be another good game.”

You have a lot of talent to throw to this year with Bell, Spiker, and Griffin. How is that connection with your wide outs working for you?

“They are doing a great job. Those three guys at wide receiver are scary. We have two great running backs that are doing well for us right now. Against Santiago we had one back go for 100 yards with three touchdowns. The other back had 100 yards against Redlands with a couple of touchdowns. The resources I have as a quarterback, I could not ask for anything more.”

You have an offer from Colorado, which schools are showing recruiting interest in you right now?

“I have not been focusing on recruiting as much lately. Colorado is one. Right before the season some SEC schools like Alabama, Tennessee, and Ole Miss started showing interest. I also just talked to Cincinnati not too long ago. I’m getting a lot of letters from different schools.”

Do you have any unofficial visits planned coming up?

“As far as visits during the season, I have not planned any out. I’m just focused on winning games.”

You mentioned this week’s game against Grandview, you also have two other big games after that in Rancho Cucamonga and Oaks Christian. Are you getting excited for those two matchups?

“I’m excited to play every team. Those two games and the Colorado team we play are all pretty good. That will prepare us for league against the Murrieta teams. The games before league and within our league will prepare us for the type of teams we’ll see in playoffs.”

Hank, thanks for your time today and good luck with all the big upcoming games.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: Bachmeier family; Hank Bachmeier at Michigan

Photo credit: Bachmeier family; Hank Bachmeier at Stanford with David Shaw

Photo credit: Bachmeier family; Hank Bachmeier at Texas A&M with OC Noel Mazzone (left).