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TAMPA, FL (August 16, 2010) – What is the makeup of a successful quarterback? There are of course many ways to answer this broad question. Examining our countries most successful field generals, you discover they’re all people who love the game of football, possess a strong work ethic, are self-starters, and gifted with that killer instinct or winner’s mentality that very few have.
Conner Preston of Serra High School (Gardena, Calif) has that ‘Quarterback Mentality.’ Whenever the Cavaliers signal caller takes the field to line up under center he has that ‘win every play’ mindset.
Preston will lead the Serra Cavaliers as they enter the 2010 season ranked #16 in the Nation by Rivals.com. The Cavaliers possess a scary combination of talent in Preston (#2 QB prospect in California according to Cali High Sports and National Top 25 Pro-Style QB by Tom Lemming) and George Farmer (#1 WR in the Nation according to Rivals.com) and have all the tools to repeat as CIF State Champions.
Says Preston, "I'm excited about the upcoming season, we have a lot of great talent coming back on both sides of the ball. My goal is to lead this team back to the state championship."
Recognized as one of the most feared quarterbacks in California, last season Preston was top 8 in the state in all the major passing categories and #2 for junior quarterbacks in California. He finished 2009 going 203/308 (66%), throwing for 3,437 yards, 44 TDs, and only 9 interceptions. In the California State Championship game, Preston set championship game records for most passing yards (240) and most touchdown passes (3). For his performance during the 2009 season he was awarded the following honors: 1st Team All-League, 1st Team All CIF, 1st Team All State, 1st Team All-Wave.
Preston has been busy this offseason getting ready for the 2010 challenge of repeating as state champions and extending Serra’s 15 game winning streak.
In addition to attending the DeBartolo Sports Elite QB Academy at Saddlebrook Resort and individually training with his private QB Coach, Joe Dickinson, he spent part of the spring and summer with New England Patriots QB, Tom Brady and his QB Coach, Tom Martinez.
Says Martinez, “He (Preston) does really well (when matched up next to Brady) and it is clear he has a big arm and can make all the throws. When you alternate reps with someone like Tom Brady, any weakness will show up very quickly.”
When Brady was asked about Preston, he simply stated, “This kid is really good”.
After what should be a successful senior campaign, Preston has committed to play for SMU, a program that is on the rise, thanks to 3rd year Head Coach June Jones.
Says Preston on his commitment, “SMU is a perfect fit for me, with Coach Jones being a quarterback guru and me being the kind of quarterback I am, I feel that I fit the offense really well. I can’t wait to contribute to SMU’s future success.”
Jones is known for producing record setting quarterbacks and his protégés include Timmy Chang and Heisman Trophy Finalist Colt Brennan. In only his second season at SMU, Jones’s offense set school records in passing yards, points, and total yards. The Mustangs also went to their first Bowl game in nearly 25 years.
Says Martinez on Preston’s commitment to SMU, “June Jones knows Quarterbacks and he picked a good one here. He (Preston) is going to be a really good college quarterback and has the ability to play in the League (NFL) if he chooses.” Martinez continues, “Preston has a strong arm, is always on target, and can run, he rarely makes mistakes and never beats his own team, which many quarterbacks do. I review all of Conner’s game tapes and I always ask myself the same question: show me where the receiver has to be good. SMU is going to be a perfect fit for him and he will win for them”.
“(Conner) Preston is a true winner; he makes great plays in big games and has all the intangibles that any coach could ever want. He is a true 4-Star QB if I have ever seen one”, said DeBartolo Sports University QB Coach Joe Dickinson, who has trained Tampa Bay Buccaneers QBs Josh Freeman and Rudy Carpenter, USC’s Matt Barkley, and Pro Football Hall of Fame QB Troy Aikman. “Conner will have a bright future in football and be extremely successful at SMU.”
If Preston has a repeat of last season, he should leave his mark on the California High School Football Record books as well as the National High School Football Record book in several major passing categories. Serra certainly has all the tools to help Preston make this happen.
Says Preston, “We are reloading, not rebuilding at Serra."
When the Cavaliers open the season on September 3rd against Sherman Oaks Notre Dame, all eyes will be on the man behind the center, Conner Preston.
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