Washington product to return home to California in 2016
Exclusive interview with USC commit Isaac Garcia
For those of you unfamiliar with Washington high school football, one school has stood head and shoulders above the rest over the past 15 years, Bellevue High School. The Wolverines have dominated 3A competition winning 11 WIAA state titles since 2001 including six straight heading into the 2014 season.
For those of you unfamiliar with Los Angeles County, the city of Fontana is about an hour away from downtown LA, or about an hour away from the University of Southern California campus.
In between the two storylines is a budding defensive end talent that cannot be ignored, Class of 2016 defensive end Isaac Garcia.
If you’ve ever heard of a shutdown corner stopping an entire offense on one side of the field, a similar thought process can be used when describing Garcia’s play at defensive end. On the right side of the defense nothing, absolutely nothing is heading down the field on that side. Garcia stuffs the run to his side, contains, and even bats down pass attempts opposing quarterbacks try to complete to their left.
Opposing high school coaches are well aware of Garcia’s ability to dominate the game. Choosing to run away from him has not stopped his productivity. The 6’4”, 220-pounder, explodes down the line chasing down play after play from the backside. If Bellevue’s head coach Butch Goncharoff kept team stats one could guess Garcia would have a tackle for loss tally easily in the high 30’s if not more.
In an exclusive interview Isaac sat down to talk about high school football, his ties to Southern California, and recruiting.
Isaac, Bellevue put together another amazing season going 13-1 losing in the state championship game to Eastside Catholic 35-13. Looking back, how do you feel about how the Wolverines performed in 2014?
“I feel like we did really well. We’ve been working since January going really hard at practice, lifting weights, and holding player practices all year to get better. We’re disappointed in ourselves for not getting the win against Eastside Catholic. No matter what we’re family, we’re tighter as a team having put in all the blood, sweat, and tears.”
How do the Wolverines look heading into next season?
“I think we’re going to be really good next year. We have a lot of good returning players. If we work hard I think we can be back for a run into the playoffs.”
What does the team need to do in the offseason to ensure that success?
“Our seniors had an unbelievable work ethic. They were always ready to practice and always ready to go. We didn’t have that many D-I senior prospects but they all played like a team making us better. Linebacker Ross Connors was an inspiring player for all of us. He wasn’t the biggest guy but he always came ready to play.”
What is the strength of this year’s football team?
“Our offense was good, both sides of the ball we are good and equal. Our defense got stronger and stronger throughout the year.”
How do you feel you played this season?
“I did alright. I feel like I could have done better. I feel like I let my team down. I want to show out next year for my team. Not winning the state championship kills.”
What are your goals for the 2015 football season?
“Take leadership of the senior class. I want the team to be able to rely on me next year. I just want to be the best leader I can be for the team.”
Any loft stat totals?
“I don’t focus on stats. I just want to get another ring for my team. We won state in 2013 and for the past six years straight. I want to get another one.”
Isaac, you committed to USC in late September. Are any schools still coming after you?
“Washington State has offered me. I talk to a lot of schools and get a lot of letters.”
What led you to verbally commit to USC?
“I was born and raised in Fontana, California living there until I was 12-years-old. USC is a dream school. I’ve always wanted to go there. It was a blessing and the opportunity I always wanted. I took an unofficial visit there last year with (OL) Henry Roberts (Washington commitment). It went well. We liked it, beautiful campus and beautiful weather.”
When the USC coaches have talked to you about your game, what are the comments they make?
“They like that I can really rush the passer. They like my length, that I knock the ball down at the line of scrimmage, and that I can play both sides of the ball. They love that I can play wherever.”
What position is USC recruiting you to play?
“USC is recruiting me as a rush backer like Anthony Barr at UCLA.”
Do you plan on going to any college camps this summer?
“I’ll talk with my coach about what camps maybe good for me.
Are there any NFL or college players you like to watch play the game?
“My two favorites are Myles Jack (Bellevue, LB, UCLA) and Budda Baker (Bellevue, DB, Washington). They’ve worked really hard from the beginning. I look up to them as role models. They did everything we did, I want to give 100 percent and impact the game like they do.”
Who has made the biggest impact on your football career?
“The entire Bellevue coaching staff has had the biggest impact on my career so far. They want me to be the best person I can be on and off the field. They look out for me.”
What is your favorite part of playing football?
“I love going out there with my friends, they’re like family. I love looking to my left and right knowing we’re all fighting together. I love the grind.”
Isaac Garcia represents another big and solid link in the long chain of amazing college athletes that have been produced under Coach Goncharoff. To get a sense of the level of competition that has been on the field at a Wolverines practice over the past few years:
2014
Position/Player/College Commitment
DB Budda Baker, Washington
DT Marcus Griffin, Arizona
DE Shane Bowman, Washington
RB Conner Baumann, Eastern Washington
DB Tim Haehl, Harvard
2013
LB Sean Constantine, Washington
LB Myles Jack, UCLA
WR Reuben Mwehla, Idaho
The 2015 recruiting class is stocked and loaded with more D-I talent. WR C.J. Johnson is heading to Wyoming. Linebacker Mustafa Branch is committed to Stanford, OL Henry Roberts is going to Washington, OL Calvin Throckmorton to Oregon, and DE Cody Baker to Montana.
There are no off days when stepping on the practice field at Bellevue High School, there is too much talent on the roster to go through the motions, you’ll get knocked on your can or there is another really talented player chomping at the bit to take your spot.
Garcia has another year to torment Washington high school quarterbacks, linemen, and running backs before taking his skill set to USC. When he returns back to Los Angeles as freshman with the Trojans in 2015, he will be bringing with him a skill set ingrained from years of practice against other top talent that will help set him apart from his competition. He’ll be bringing a winning pedigree and he’ll be bringing it with an attitude on the field.
Photo credit: timesunion.com; No. 2 Isaac Garcia
Photo credit: bleacerreport.com; No. 2 Isaac Garcia