Interview: 3-Star 2020 Nevada CB Donte Bowers Talks Liberty Road Win Over Saguaro

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

High school football fans outside of Arizona and Nevada may not be aware that there was a classic heavy weight showdown on Friday, Aug. 24. Saguaro High School, winners of five consecutive Arizona 4A state titles, and Liberty High School, a Nevada 4A powerhouse, collided in a back-and-forth battle seeing the Patriots sneak out of Scottsdale with a 22-12 win. The first half ended with Liberty up 17-12 seeing both squads clamp down on defense in the second half. One of the reasons for the clamping down for the Patriots was Class of 2020 cornerback Donte Bowers.

On a night when Liberty needed all hands-on deck, Bowers stepped up coming up with four tackles and a key pick off Saguaro junior quarterback Tyler Beverett. The offseason is where Donte Bowers set up his opportunity to rise to the occasion for Liberty in Week 1 of the 2018 season. Traveling back-and-forth between Las Vegas and Los Angeles, the determined 5-10, 170-pound, athlete worked on his craft with Ground Zero’s 7v7 team over the spring months. That hard work extended to college camps over the summer and into fall camp with Liberty.

One game does not make a season, the big expectations continue for Bowers and the Patriots. Liberty is the No. 2 ranked team in Nevada (MaxPreps) with three more tough non-conference games against Lone Peak (UT), No. 3 nationally ranked IMG Academy (FL), and 2017 Class 3A Nevada state champs Desert Pines, now at the 4A classification, before starting conference action against Chaparral. An unblemished record coupled with the Patriots difficult schedule sets up for a run at a national title and a Nevada championship.

In a Recruiting News Guru catch-up interview, I got a few minutes with Bowers after the Patriots big win getting an update on his growth on the field as a corner with some insight to the big Week 1 win.

*Click link for April 28, 2018, RNG interview with Donte Bowers

Interview

Donte, the Patriots got a fantastic season opening win on the road over a very good Saguaro team (22-12), if you will, breakdown the highlights of the game?

“Some of the main plays of the game… our defense locked their offense down. Our special teams stepped up, we blocked a punt for the first score of the game. Austin Fiaseu blocked the punt and Zyrus Fiaseu ran it in for the score. We took off in the second half on defense.”

What are the strengths of the team this season?

“On offense, our running game. We focused on that a lot in the preseason and against Saguaro. On defense, our strength is our linebackers and our defensive line. They put a lot of pressure on their QB making it easy for our defensive backs.”

For you personally, how did the game against Saguaro go?

“I had four tackles, one PBU, and one interception.”

Which positions did you play against Saguaro?

“I started at corner and played some at nickel.”

We spoke over the summer about how hard you were working on your game, where are you seeing the biggest improvements in your skillset early in the 2018 season?

“The power in my hips. Last year, I was not coming up as much stopping the run. I am confident now on coming up and making a sure open-field tackle.”

You guys have one of the toughest early season schedules in the country, if not the toughest. Next week you get Lone Peak (UT), what are you expecting from them on Friday?

“We are expecting them to try to run it down our throats. That should be a real good game for our linebackers and our defensive line. It might not be exciting for us defensive backs (laughs).”

You get IMG Academy on Sept. 7, then get a bye, and load up for Nevada’s 2017 3A state champs Desert Pines, what is the team’s mindset with this tough schedule?

“Our mindset is to go in and dominate. We want to prove that we deserve the same respect and offers we see other teams are getting.”

Did you camp at any colleges this summer?

“Yes. I went to a USC camp and most of the Redlands camps – Colorado, Washington, Arizona, UNLV, and Utah State.”

Of all the camps, which was your best performance?

“The USC camp went well. There were a lot of coaches there. If I had to pick my best performance, I’d say the Redlands – Washington camp was my best.”

What did you do well at that camp?

“During the one-on-one periods I did well. Their coaches were hyped about that.”

Which schools are showing recruiting interest entering your junior season?

“Nevada, Purdue, and Oregon are showing interest right now.”

Do you have any planned visit you might take this fall?

“I am trying to visit USC for a game this fall. We’ll see.”

Donte, it was great catching up with you today. Congratulations on the big win and good luck with the rest of the upcoming schedule.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: Bowers family; No. 28 Donte Bowers