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Austin on the verge of breaking Rio Mesa's passing records
Austin's season couldn't be going much better, as Rio Mesa is undefeated in the Pacific View League and is 6-1 overall. Austin has been playing well, completing 66of104 pass attempts for 1,259 yards. According to Rio Mesa head coach Bob Gregorchuk, Austin is only about a game away from surpassing the school's single-season passing record. "He physically worked his butt off this past offseason to get where he is now," Gregorchuk said. "He's about 130 yards from breaking the single-season record for passing at Rio Mesa and around 560 yards from breaking the all-time record for passing yards at this school. "We aren't known to have a huge passing game like maybe Newbury Park High, but it's still quite an accomplishment if he does it," the coach said. When told how close he was to breaking the records, Austin seemed surprised but thrilled that he might soon be the record holder for passing. "I didn't know I was that close," Austin said. "That would be really exciting. I have thought about it a little. I always try and have as many completions as I possibly can each game." During his junior year, Austin started at quarterback but split time. He completed 52-of-81 passes for 850 yards and five touchdowns but knew he could do better. Over the summer, Austin worked in many camps and clinics with Spartan wide receiver Josh Harrison. They would practice at Newbury Park and Ventura high schools at least twice a week, he said. Austin also went to a couple of Elite 11 camps, where previous NFL quarterbacks like Matt Leinart and Vince Young once participated. "There were two camps I went to for the Elite 11," Austin said. "One of them was at USC and the other in Las Vegas. During the workouts we would have a shootout, where the quarterbacks have to hit a target. I made the top six in both of the camps, and in Vegas I got second place." According to Gregorchuk, another reason Austin's had a big year has been his maturity level. "He's more coachable this year," Gregorchuk said. "He's been very patient and has continued to work hard and take what the defense gives to him. Sometimes I felt during his junior year that he would put too much pressure on himself. Now he's doing a better job of letting the game come to him." Being a senior, Austin has also taken on the role of team leader. Austin said that the Spartans have come together as a team quicker this season than last year, mainly due to a crucial practice on the eve of Rio Mesa's first game against San Marcos. "The night before our first game of the year, we had a bad practice and coach kicked us off the field," Austin said. "We were kind of shocked because that had never happened to us before. So after being kicked out, we held a meeting outside the locker room that was players only. I think the whole team just came together during that meeting and it helped our chemistry." Austin responded well the next day against San Marcos, lighting the opposition up for 310 passing yards. He continued to play well the next week against Newbury Park, throwing for 124 yards vs. the Panthers. After a loss to Agoura, RMHS reeled off four straight wins, games in which Austin threw for over 100 yards each time. Austin's biggest night thus far came against Dos Pueblos, where he threw for 407 yards. Although Austin is close to having his name in the Spartan record books, he said Gregorchuk has helped him stay focused on the task at hand-winning. "Coach Gregorchuk always says that there are three seasons every year for the team," Austin said. "The preseason with games out of league, the league games and the playoffs. I'm looking forward to the playoffs and possibly passing those records, but we can't let up as a team. We still have three more games to go until playoffs, and we'll have to play our best." Austin will attempt to get into the record books tonight when Rio Mesa hosts Channel Islands at 7 p.m. |
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