Interview: 2020 QB Carter Freedland Talks Huskies Football and Early Season Success

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

As sure as the sun rising in the east, Centennial (Corona) is always in the mix as one of the top high school football programs in California every year. The Huskies always have great talent, and that talent is morphed into a cohesive unit under head coach Matt Logan. The Huskies have championship aspirations again in 2018 and are calling upon Class of 2020 quarterback Carter Freedland to help take them there.

Freedland knows a thing or two about winning a California and national championship serving as a backup on Mater Dei’s 2017 squad behind five-star quarterback JT Daniels (USC). After transferring in the offseason, Freedland now steps into the shoes left at Centennial by another five-star quarterback, Tanner McKee (Stanford). Freedland along with fellow 2020 quarterback Ala Mikaele are the two-headed approach under center for the Huskies working in perfect harmony. The Huskies are 2-0 with wins over Chandler (AZ) and then- No. 8 nationally ranked Orange Lutheran. Season stats have not been released for the Huskies, but against Chandler, Freedland hit 11 of 19 passes for 183 yards with two scores.

With the Huskies returning home for the first time this season to face Pittsburg with a No. 9 national ranking, No. 3 in California (MaxPreps), on the line, I sat down for an update interview with one of California’s rising stars in the pocket out of the 2020 class.

*Click link for July 20, 2018, RNG interview with Carter Freedland

Interview

Carter, how did fall camp with the Huskies go for you?

“It went really well. I learned a lot during camp. I learned how important tempo is to our offense. That showed in our first two games. I learned our reads and talked to ex-QBs from the Huskies program to learn more. They shared information on running the offense better that really helped me.”

What were some of the bigger adjustments you had to make to your game to help win the co-starting job?

“I had to be a lot quicker with my reads. I had to not drop back as much, you can’t drop as deep in our offense. Those were the two big points I had to adjust.”

Rotating quarterbacks in and out can be very tricky, yet Coach Matt Logan appears to have found the winning formula with you and fellow junior Ala Mikaele. How is the rotation set?

“We rotate every game with who starts, then we go every other drive within each game.”

The stats and the results for you and Mikaele seem to be about the same, is there a difference in the play calling depending on who is in at quarterback?

“No. Coach (Matt) Logan calls it the same. We go over it in film and run the same plays in practice. We are both prepared the same for whatever he calls in a game.”

Over the first two games of the season, where are you seeing the biggest gains in your abilities on the field as a passer?

“As a passer, I feel like I have been more accurate underneath. We’ve been doing a lot of that so far this season. The deep ball was good in the first game, but we ran more in the second game going against a five-man box.”

I’ve been watching four-star 2020 receiver Gary Bryant over the past now three seasons, what is it like working with him within the offense?

“He is obviously a super athlete. He is very smart, he runs his routes great, he makes adjustments to the pass… he makes it easier for us. And, he helps the other receivers to run the routes right.”

The schedule for the Huskies is crazy. You guys started off with Chandler (35-13), a very tough team from Arizona, and then you just beat the No. 8 ranked team in the country, Orange Lutheran 45-28. What has worked well for the offense in the first two wins?

“Our tempo really helps. Defenses cannot keep up with our tempo. We have been running the ball well so far this year.”

You get Pittsburg next, what are you expecting from yet another powerhouse California team?

“After watching both their games, they will have to respect our pass and run. I am not sure what they will come out in, but I know Coach Logan will have us ready.”

What goals have you set for your junior year?

“My goals are to win the Big V League championship, win CIF, and win state.”

Which schools are showing recruiting interest in you?

“Arizona State – I talked to them at our showcase, Utah, Washington State, and I am receiving letters from Arkansas.”

Did you get to take any unofficial visits over the summer?

“Yes. I visited Utah, Arizona State, Weber State, UNLV, BYU, and Utah State.”

Excellent start all the way around. Carter, thanks for your time today and good luck this week against Pittsburg.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: recruitingnewsguru.com; Carter Freedland