Interview: Warren FS/WR Stephen Austin Turning It on for Senior Season

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

When the 2018 California high school football season began, Stephen Austin started a new chapter in his playing career, lining up on defense. The results show that he was a natural filling in for Warren High School as that outside linebacker-free safety-rover. In addition to his play on defense, the 5-10, 170-pound, athlete is also counted upon on offense at receiver and on special teams as a return specialist. His senior season is going as planned with 28 receptions for 313 yards with three scores, a 28 yard per punt return average, and he has picked off four passes helping his Downey area squad to a 4-2 record.

As the season heats up in league play, and college programs start to hear about Austin’s play, we sat down for a catch-up one-on-one interview.

Interview

Stephen, last season you were all over the field for the Bears playing receiver, a down in the box outside linebacker/rover role, and you were at punt returner. Where all on the field are you lining up in 2019?

“It’s pretty crazy, I’m playing everything especially on defense. I started playing defense my junior year. As a team, we are killing it. I’m lining up at slot, free safety, strong safety, and outside linebacker. I’m also returning kicks and punts.”

How did you prepare for your senior year over the summer?

“I focused mostly on my speed, getting in the best shape possible, and lifting weights. I kept lifting and lifting; I am bigger and stronger, and even faster.”

The team is six games in, where are you showing the most improvement in your game on defense?

“On defense, we have a simple defense and it works. I have four picks – I am trying to get eight or more picks; that is my goal. My tackling skills have improved a lot and I am reading my keys – I feel I have perfected that. I am getting to the ball and rallying up.”

What do you feel are now your strengths on that side of the ball?

“The things I do well on defense are rallying to the ball and tackling – that is my best strength.”

And on offense, what are your improvements on that side of the ball?

“On offense, I know how to get open, my get off is fast, I know how to read defenses – I have good pre-snap reads, and my catching ability.”

There may be some overlap here, but what do you feel are your strengths now on offense?

“My overall strength on offense is my speed. Speed kills on offense. I use my speed to get open.”

Which schools are showing interest?

“Puget Sound, APU (Azusa Pacific), and Redlands.”

Are you planning on visiting any schools coming up?

“Yes. I will visit APU after the season.”

Going back to football. Last time out the Bears took down Dominguez 19-6, how did you guys look in the win?

“We executed and we dominated. We should have put more points on the board, but our QB got hurt. We almost got the doughnut on the board. We let them score in the fourth, but we got the win. That is all that matters.”

This week you get Lynwood (2-4). What kind of game can the fans expect in this one?

“All I can say, we plan on dominating. That is our goal right now.”

Stephen, it has been great catching up with you today. I appreciate your time and wish you and the team success the rest of the way.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: Myra Sanchez; No. 19 Stephen Austin