Interview: 2020 QB Ala Mikaele Talks Centennial Football and Offseason Workouts

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

The Centennial Huskies are a different breed on the gridiron matching skill and talent coupled with consistent top of the line coaching from Matt Logan working to be one of the top high school football programs in the nation year after year. On paper, the Huskies were in transition during the 2018 season after the graduation of five-star quarterback Tanner McKee (Stanford) but that did not show on the field when the lights turned on come Friday. Centennial finished the regular season 12-1 ranked No. 9 nationally and No. 5 in California by MaxPreps with a two-headed approach in the pocket by junior tag team duo Ala Mikaele (5-10, 192) and Carter Freedland. Mikaele ended the year with 1,642 passing yards on 77 of 146 passing with 17 touchdowns and rushed for 130 yards with two scores going on the board.

With another big offseason ahead for the Class of 2020 quarterback, I sat down with Mikaele learning more about his first season helming the offense for Centennial while covering his goals for the spring and summer months before his senior campaign.

Interview

Ala, the 2018 season was a big one for you helping take over the reins in the pocket after the graduation of five-star quarterback Tanner McKee. With Centennial always being one of the top teams in the nation, how did you prepare in the 2018 offseason for the big role?

“Coach (Matt) Logan, he gets us prepared. We are constantly running plays and doing reps preparing. Getting the JV experience in 2017 was good for me. That helped me learn the system, and that helped get me through the season. Coach Logan gets us well prepared.”

How did the 2018 season go overall for you?

“I think it went pretty good. There are some things I need to work on like being more aggressive with running and some things with my passing. At the end of day you want to get the win and I do what it takes with the best of my abilities to win.”

You showed that. Which areas of your game improved the most as a throwing quarterback?

“One area that really improved was reading coverages and learning how to beat teams. We went through some many reps, I learn so much. My accuracy and getting the ball out quick, I think that improved a lot as well.”

What do you feel are the strengths to your game as a quarterback?

“My abilities in the run-pass option, I can get the ball out quick and I run well. My accuracy is good, I know I can be better.”

Coach Matt Logan does a great job of leading the team from a top down approach, but the quarterback is still always one of the leaders on the team. What is your leadership style?

“At first, I was the quiet guy. Anthony, a quarterback at Centennial before Tanner, told me you have to be confident and outspoken as a leader. I am working on being more of a vocal leader and leading by my actions on and off the field.”

What are you working on this offseason to prepare for your senior year?

“I am lifting. Coach Logan tells us to get bigger, faster, and stronger. I am working with my QB Coach, Coach Morris. We are working on having more hip into my throws.”

Are you attending any national camps and/or combines this offseason?

“Yes. I am planning on attending the Adidas-Rivals camp, the Nike/Elite 11 Combine, and some college camps this summer.”

Back to Centennial football. For those people that never get to see a Huskies practice, what is a practice like for you guys?

(Laughs) “Funny that you ask. We get no water breaks. A lot of reps. We are constantly going from one drill to another. Coach has us going against the starting defense for that game time feel – to be ready for it. Our practices are very tiring. The receivers, I feel for them. We are constantly throwing and running. We are well conditioned for the game. On Fridays, it is not that hard in the game compared to our practices.”

You kind of touched on this in your last response. You have obviously thrived in the competitive environment on the Huskies’ practice field, when the big games come around what is the competition level like from practice to a game?

“You go into film and meetings so much, you are so prepared. Coach Logan points out what he sees and we go through the power points – we know who to watch out for on their defense. We are well prepared. It is a lot easier. In practice, our defense knows all of our plays and signals; that makes it harder but it makes us better. It is a little bit easier in the games depending on the team we are playing.”

Ala, I appreciate your time today and wish you success with your offseason workouts and the upcoming camps and combines.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: Bridget Smith; Ala Mikaele