Interview: 3-Star 2021 RB Marceese Yetts is Ready for League Action with No. 1 Mater Dei

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

For most high school football teams, playing three preseason nationally ranked Top 10 teams in a season (No. 9 Centennial (CA), No. 3 St. Frances (MD), and No. 4 St. John’s (DC) would be enough to call it a day, but not for Mater Dei High School. The Monarchs are always one of the nation’s premiere teams with back-to-back national 2017-18 championship banners blowing in the Santa Ana breeze. The 5-0 non-conference schedule and No. 1 national ranking is about to be put on the line with more national powerhouses left to play starting Trinity League action on Friday. Thankfully they have talent like three-star running back Marceese Yetts to call upon over the second half of the regular season to help grind out the big wins.

With an offensive line chalked full of next level talent, a quarterback committed to Alabama, and one of the nation’s top high school receiving corps, the Monarchs have not had to overwork their running backs early in the season. That will change going up against the likes of Orange Lutheran, Santa Margarita, Servite, No. 34 nationally ranked JSerra Catholic and No. 2 nationally ranked St. John Bosco. Yetts will be one of the backs given the task of popping off big runs while getting the tough yards in league action.

When Yetts number is called, he has experience behind him after carrying the pigskin 120 times for 687 yards with 12 scores while pulling in 11 passes for 216 yards with two more touchdowns with Narbonne High School a year ago. The 5-8, 163-pound, back is a leader on the Monarchs squad out of the backfield with 20 totes for 178 yards finding the end zone twice. On special teams, he has taken back three punts for 41 yards and two kicks for another 32.

National interest is picking up for Yetts and so is the excitement in California with fans ready to see how he carves up Trinity League defenses. For an update on it all, I sat down for a one-on-one getting the inside scoop.

*Click link for Mater Dei preseason preview and schedule with rankings

Interview

Marceese, the Monarchs, to no surprise, are stepping up to the challenge week after week taking on top national teams so far this year. What has the weekly preparation been like for you this season getting ready for all the big games?

“For me, I know coming in on Monday we are preparing for the biggest game we have every played. We prepare for each game like it is our last game. We go hard every week regardless of the opponent.”

Not knocking any teams you guys have played so far this season, but, if you will, give me an honest assessment between practices and the games. The Monarchs are absolutely loaded across the board on both sides of the ball.

“I feel like practice is harder than the games. We go 100 percent in practice. Our scout team is not full of scrubs. We go hard. I work on blocking, I work on running against the scout defense, picking up their blitzes, and whatever other possibilities will come up in games.”

With the move from Narbonne to Mater Dei, how are you being utilized within the Monarchs’ offense this season?

“The way they use me, we have set plays. We don’t want to put everything we have out there yet. They have some specialized plays for me. They try to get the ball to me as much as they can without throwing off the offense.”

What are the bulk of run plays called for you now?

“I have some plays that are inside zone, some are counters, a power, or a pull.”

How are you seeing your overall game improve this season?

“The biggest improvement I am seeing is my pass-pro. I have learned how to block better. I have been able to block backers who weigh a lot more than me.”

What do you now feel are the strengths to your game?

“The things I do well, I am quick with my decisions. I can run up the field or take it outside. I do not stutter step in the hole. My field vision is a strength as well.”

The team just took care of business collegiate style going into Washington D.C. to see St. John’s coming out with a 53-24 win. How did the team look last week in your opinion?

“Overall, in the beginning we had a slow start. There were some misunderstandings on our part. We talked about it at half and corrected it. We perfected what we were running, went down and scored every time.”

This week the gauntlet begins in the Trinity League welcoming Orange Lutheran. What kind of game are you expecting against the Lancers’ defense on Friday?

“We are expecting the same as any other team; they are hungry to beat the No. 1 team in the nation. We will not take them lightly. We are looking at them as they are the No. 1 team.”

Moving to recruiting. How many offers do you have now?

“I have three offers from BYU, Howard, and Syracuse.”

Which schools are showing interest?

“Washington State, Oregon State, UCLA, and Cal. USC and Tennessee are showing a little bit of interest.”

Did you go to any camps over the summer?

“Yes. I went to a private invite only camp at USC. I also went to the Opening and Rivals invitation only camps.”

Do you have any planned visits ahead?

“I am considering going back to Stanford and one to Washington State and to Cal.”

Marceese, thanks for your time today and good luck in the upcoming Trinity League games.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: Mater Dei HS; Marceese Yetts in action (2019)