California 2019 QB Chase Artopoeus Readies for Breakout Sophomore Season

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

With any sport and at all levels, some players are brought along at a slow pace allowed time to learn the nuances of the game while others forge their craft in the immediate fires, more times than not out of necessity, at a tough level of competition. The latter is the story of Righetti High School Class of 2019 quarterback Chase Artopoeus.

Artopoeus was carving up California opposition for Righetti’s freshman squad when an immediate need came about on the Warrior’s varsity squad. The 2015 team started 0-3 hoping to get by on an all-around athlete managing the quarterback position. By kickoff of Game 4, Artopoeus was the Warrior’s new starting quarterback playing against some competition four to five years his senior; which at the high school level is a big jump.

The Warriors went 3-4 with Artopoeus under center seeing the freshman take his lumps at times but they also saw him make significant strides along the way starting the process of becoming their quarterback of the future. The Warriors were a run-first team before Artopoeus took over seeing the budding talent pass for 321 yards with two scores attempting just 64 passes on the year.

With a lot of talent graduated, the Warriors make-up is forcing a shift from run-first to more of a balanced attack if not a pass heavy team putting Artopoeus in position to have a breakout season in 2016. To make it back to the playoffs in 2016, the Warriors will have to rely on their 6’1”, 180 pound, playmaker to deliver in the pocket.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I caught up with Artopoeus finding out how his freshman season at the varsity level played out and how his offseason workouts are going entering his sophomore campaign.

Interview

Chase, how did your ascension to starting quarterback for the Warriors come about last season?

“I was doing well in freshman ball. The team’s starter was not a true quarterback but an athlete. He was telling me to come up. After three games the coaches pulled me up in Week 4. I started right away.”

The learning curve from one level to the next is always big. What were some of the things you learned last year while getting caught up to the speed of California’s varsity level?

“There were a couple of times I tried to force some things. You never want to do that. I’m working on my reads. I did not know all the reads last season – I knew the basics. I caught up with the speed pretty quick.”

Do you feel caught up now?

“Yes. By the end of last season I learned not to force throws and how to be a better quarterback.”

What are some of the things you do well on the field right now that you would consider strengths of your game?

“I’m pretty good at reads now. My mechanics are better. I can get the ball out fast and accurate. My consistency is better too. I’m doing everything over and over so in the game it is consistent and easy. If I am consistent, I can keep doing it all game.”

You mentioned working on being consistent, what else have you been working on in this offseason?

“The biggest thing has been lifting a lot. I have gained 15-20 pounds since last season. I was 160 last year. My physicality is a big thing.”

What team or personal goals have you set for the 2016 football season?

“Our goal is to go as far as we can in CIF. Personally, I want really good season with stats with over 2,500 yards passing, 25 to 30 touchdowns, and limit my picks.”

What type of offense will you guys run this year?

“Our coaches are great. We realize we have a bunch of athletes and not as heavy with our lineman. We are switching to passing attack this season.”

What will be your role within the offense? Will they use you as a dual-threat or have you drop back to pass every other down?

“I will be a dual-threat. I will be involved in running plays this year. Last year we were in the I-formation. This year we’ll be in shotgun, not as much under center this year. We have a bunch of formations we lineup with like the spread. The offense should be fun this year.”

What camps have you gone to so far?

“I went to the Sound Mind, Sound Body camp (Los Angeles), a Steve Clarkson (quarterback) camp, and a Cal-Poly camp. I have not gone to that many camps this year. I’ve been working on getting more physical and getting my reads down.”

Do you have any other camps scheduled coming up?

“We’re not planning on going to any but I might go to a couple. We’ll see.”

Which schools are showing recruiting interest in you?

“N.C. State, Colorado State, Ohio State, and Wyoming.”

When does fall camp start up for the Warriors?

“I’m pretty sure we start on Aug. 6. We have a dead period for three weeks were we just lift and do conditioning drills. I’ll workout with some personal trainers during that time and keep throwing. On Aug. 6 we are back on the field with full-pads on.”

Are you getting excited about any of the games on the schedule yet?

“Yeah, definitely. I do that every year. Of course I’m excited to play our rival across the street, St. Joseph. There will be a lot of kids there for that game. A couple of teams like Arroyo Grande I’m getting excited to play. It would be good to take them down somehow. That is always a tough game. There are a couple of others here and there I’m looking forward to playing.”

Chase, thanks for your time today good luck with fall camp and the rest of your offseason workouts.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: Artopoeus family; Chase Artopoeus against Pioneer Valley (2015).

Photo credit: recruitingnewsguru.com; Chase Artopoeus at SMSB camp.