Interview: Chance Fisher still Adding to 1,200 Yard Season against Tough Texas Competition

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Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

Opinions maybe a dime a dozen, but one fact disguised as an opinion is, Lazarus “Chance” Fisher is one of the most highly underrated players in the Lone Star State in the 2017 recruiting class.

Opposing Texas defensive coordinators have long known just how good Fisher is on the high school gridiron. Over the past three seasons, Fisher has rushed for nearly 3,500 yards with 39 touchdowns making his Mesquite High School squad a team no one wants to face. Through nine games into his senior campaign, Fisher has already eclipsed his personal season best of 1,267 yards last year, adding 1,284 more to his growing stat line with one more game left to play.

Fisher is more than just a speed burner looking to get around the end with his 4.4 speed, he is a tough runner in between the tackles able to survey the field for an opening seemingly getting to the second level with ease. In an interview with Skeeters head coach Robbie Robinson about Fisher, Robinson described Fisher’s stating, “He’s a three-year starter for us. He has great vision. He is more of a slasher type of runner but he has great vision and sees the holes really well. He finds the open space and makes a great cut. If we can get him to the second level, he can take it to the house on any play.”

The all-around athleticism of Fisher’s goes beyond taking a handoff in the backfield. This season he has 40 receptions for 579 more yards crossing the goal line four more times. He has 155 punt return yards taking a Rockwall-Heath punt back 56 yards for a score.

Fisher is a standout off the field as well doing community service in help of others. When Coach Robinson was asked about the type of player a college team would get if they received a signed letter of intent on National Signing Day from Fisher, he quickly narrowed it down to, “He is good with his academics – makes his grades and is a good quality kid.”

Despite all the productivity on the field, the good grades, and the off the field superlatives, Fisher surprisingly has just six scholarship offers. The teams seeing his potential includes Air Force, Northwestern State, Kentucky Christian, McNeese State, Army, and Northern Iowa.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I caught up with the 5-10, 180 pound, talent to get an overview on his season and a recruiting news update.

Interview

Chance, how has the 2016 season gone for you personally?

“Personally, it is going pretty good. I had higher expectations for myself. I planned on getting 3,000 all-purpose yards. I set my expectations really high. I did not reach that point.”

What areas of your game improved?

“I’m faster than last year. My speed and vision has gotten better. Knowing the offense the way I do, I can read defenses better and find the holes. I can setup blocks to mislead the defenders to get open at the next level of the defense.”

Which team was the toughest team you played against this year?

“The toughest team I’ve played against so far, I’d say the toughest defense was Rockwall-Heath. Other teams I get some breaks and good cutbacks. Rockwall kept containment pretty good.”

How did that game make you better?

“I learned that every play is not going to be a big play. You have to get the tough 4- to 5-yard gains. Be patient and you will break one eventually.”

Was there anything that you did this season, a play, a move, or just a bump up in your overall play that even surprised you?

“Yeah, in one of our games I caught a one-handed pass that was behind me. I practice catching the ball with one hand. Our quarterback threw it behind me but I caught it and took it 85-yards for a touchdown.”

I know you don’t get many punt return opportunities but you got a good one this year. What were you thinking when a team actually kicked you the ball allowing you the opportunity for a 56-yard return for a score?

“As soon as they kicked it, I knew I could run it back. I was thinking, this will be trouble.”

How did the play unfold?

“When I caught it, we returned it to the right, but I set it up left then I had a cutback to the right. There was one man coming to me, I made him miss to the left, one cut to the right and all my blockers were there. I had nothing but green grass ahead of me.”

You have six offers on the table. Which schools that have offered you are showing the most interest?

“Northern Iowa and Air Force are the main two.”

Are there any schools showing interest in you but have not offered you yet?

“I get stuff from Kansas and Colorado. I just talked to Texas State before our last game.”

Do you have any visits planned?

“I’m supposed to go to Northern Iowa on an official. I’d like to visit SMU for an official.”

What is your overall GPA?

“I have a 3.28.”

Another tough question for you. You guys close out your season on Friday against Longview on the road. What will that moment be like for you knowing you are playing your final high school football game?

“It’ll feel surreal at a certain point. It’s still football and we have a job to do. We are trying to get our last win together before we go off to college.”

Chance, thanks for your time today and good luck with your final high school game.

“Thank you.”

Photo credits: Varsity News; Lazarus Fisher in action.