Interview: 2018 LB Camron Pitcher is Applying the Pressure on Defense for Centennial

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

In a unique response to the widely used spread offense in California, Centennial High School’s highly regarded head coach Matt Logan one-upped the opposition with a defensive response – a pressure applying defense. While opposing offenses may attempt to spread the Huskies’ defense out trying to find an opening, Logan’s eloquent but frenetic counter is an up-tempo defense forcing offenses into quick throws on passing downs while filling every gap to guard against the run. As fate would have it, the Huskies have the ideal leader on defense to oversee the new approach – linebacker Camron Pitcher Jr.

Pitcher has been a key player for Centennial since his sophomore season when the Huskies won California’s Southern Section topping St. John Bosco 62-52. After a 38-tackle season in 2015, Pitcher quickly took over as a leader on defense the following year coming up with 105-plus tackles, 18 tackles for a loss, nine sacks, one interception, one fumble recovery, and one forced fumble in an estimated stat line. His play in the middle helped propel the Huskies to an 11-2 season ending the campaign as the No. 8 ranked team in the nation (MaxPreps) after a hard-fought 28-21 playoff loss to eventual state champs St. John Bosco.

To no one’s surprise, Centennial is once again one of the top teams in the nation ranked No. 5 by MaxPreps with an in-state No. 3 ranking behind No. 1 Mater Dei and No. 2 St. John Bosco. The Huskies are 3-1 with wins over Pittsburg (63-21), Etiwanda (73-0), and LA City Section powerhouse Narbonne (52-6). The lone loss was to nationally No. 1 ranked all-star squad IMG Academy. With stats posted through three games, Pitcher has responded to the new defense like a cannon ball meeting its target coming up with 25 tackles, five tackles for a loss, 1.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles. Even the stats are misleading missing most of the second half of three games due to a big Huskies’ lead.

Interest and offers from the collegiate level are picking up steam for Pitcher. The 6-0, 220 pound, talent has offers from Cornell, Columbia, and Pennsylvania with a preferred walk-on offer from Stanford. Teams showing interest includes Nevada, Arizona, Fresno State, and San Jose State, among others.

In a Recruiting News Guru stylized interview, I sat down with Pitcher during Centennial’s bye week covering the first half of the Huskies’ season before entering Big VIII League action.

Interview

Cam, how has your senior year started off on the field for you?

“It has started off amazing. We started off with Pittsburg. Our new defense has worked great. The new pressure style defense really seems to be working. Our starters are limiting points.”

Which parts of your game have really come along from last year to this year?

“My blitzing. Now that we are a pressure style defense, my interior work and skinny moves are better. My ability to get to the quarterback has improved this year.”

The Huskies have played some tough teams so far this year. Has there been an offensive lineman or running back that has challenged you on the field helping push your game forward even more?

“Going against IMG, they have those big huge massive offensive linemen and big powerful backs. That forced me to step up and be a leader out there.”

*11 tackles vs. IMG Academy

You guys just had a big win against Narbonne (52-6), a very talented team. How do you rate your performance in that game?

“I would rate myself a 10. I’m doing what I am supposed to do out there. I don’t have to make all the plays this year. Our defense is stacked. Trey Lualemaga is doing really well (ILB). Everyone is making plays. We have so many weapons on defense, it is hard for to figure out where we have a weakness.”

You guys have back-to-back byes the next two weeks, what are you doing on the field to fine-tune your game before stepping back on the gridiron to face Roosevelt?

“Right now, we are cleaning up our mental mistakes. We found our effort and running to the ball is working well. Now we are making sure the mental part of our game is crystal clear.”

The rest of the games on the schedule are against area teams, all kind of rivalry games. Are there any games you are excited to play more than others left on the schedule?

“I’d say the Santiago game and the Norco game. I know a lot of guys on Norco’s team. I was not happy with my performance against them last year. I’m ready to play them this year.”

What was the cumulative GPA you carried into your senior year?

“4.2.”

What is your best scores on the SAT and ACT?

“A 1290 on the SAT and a 28 on the ACT.”

What is your favorite class this semester?

“This year my favorite class is AP Environmental Science.”

What would you like to major in once in college?

“I’m looking at materials engineering.”

Last question. With Friday night off, have you made any fun plans yet?

“I’m thinking about going to watch Santiago play – get an early scouting report on them.”

Cam, thanks for your time today and good luck with the rest of the season.

“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: recruitingnewsguru.com; No. 32 Cam Pitcher

Photo credit: No. 32 Cam Pitcher tackles IMG Academy QB Artur Sitkowski

Photo credit: No. 32 Cam Pitcher read and reacts on defense