By Kevin Grogan, South Lake Tablet
The high school football season is very much on the horizon. The East Ridge Knights open in a little over a week at home at the Dungeon.
Senior Quarterback, Winston Bourgeois was kind enough to give us the scoop during the leadup to his final season as a Knight.
As Bourgeois saw the majority of the East Ridge snaps as a junior, he talks about the expectations he has for 2024 and also takes us through his summer prep & his growth as the QB1. Bourgeois & his teammates are very excited to get out there and showcase all the work they have put in the last few months!
SLTablet: How has the summer been in the lead-up to your senior campaign; what’s a typical day during your summer camp?
Bourgeois: Summer was good, I started the summer in early June doing a road trip to a half dozen college camps. Working with more coaches and getting feedback was so valuable. After that, I settled into a routine, typically waking up and going to practice for a couple of hours getting a lift and fieldwork in, then coming home and recovering. Liquid IV and naps went a long way.
SLTablet: You saw a lot of action during the 2023 season as the QB1 as a junior. Does it feel different as the senior leader on offense & what have you tried to instill in some of your younger teammates?
Bourgeois: It is different because it is my team now, splitting time last year created a rift in the team dynamic, but being able to be the leader and working out with the younger guys creates a more cohesive team feel than years previous. Being a leader also keeps me accountable to lead by example, like running through the line, not skipping reps, and holding each other to the standard.
SLTablet: What are some of the skills you have worked on in the off-season to improve your snaps during the 2023 season?
Bourgeois: I have improved my footwork and mobility. For most of my junior campaign I had stiff ankles and weak knees but this off-season and based on college coach feedback, I made that a priority. In turn that has positively improved my throwing mechanics and pocket presence now that I have faster feet. Also getting bigger and stronger was another huge priority, so living in the weight room has helped me too.
SLTablet: I am sure you are excited to have a feature back like Uriah Maynard in your backfield. Tell us what you’ve seen from Maynard and any of the other new East Ridge offensive players.
Bourgeois: I have been fortunate to have lead backs both of my years on varsity first with Darius (Daily) and now with Uriah, it is nice to be able to lean on talented runners when the passing game is struggling. Outside of that, there have been a few players that came in and made a direct impact on the team and I feel the team as a whole has improved.
SLTablet: The Knights schedule never disappoints. You open in just eight days at home against Pasco. What are you looking forward to the most as you glance at what’s to come?
Bourgeois: I am looking most forward to just being able to play, 7-on-7 and team camp have been good competition, but the vibes on a Friday night are just different. It is exciting and I look forward to my teammates and I showcasing all that we have worked and improved upon for the last couple of months.
SLTablet: You’ve seen time competing against your first team on defense in practice. Tell us a little bit about some of what you’ve seen from that defense just about every day.
Bourgeois: Our defense is aggressive, they fly to the ball and they love to talk. Intensity at practice is always high and it creates a good look of competition for both sides. It is going to be hard to score points on us with the way our defense takes pride in setting the tone and dominating.
SLTablet: What else has to happen to improve on your 5-5 regular season from last year?
Bourgeois: The entire team has to buy in if we want to improve. Being young will be a disadvantage, but if we can go into every game confident and believe in the work we have put in we should see improvements across the board all season long.
SLTablet: Been known to play some hoops around Clermont. What else do you do when you aren’t focused on football?
Bourgeois: Recently, outside of football, I have tried to stay low-key, hang out at the house, and play the new college football game. Also, some afternoons and weekends I work at Walmart so my free time is usually limited.
SLTablet: Anything else you would like to add as your final high school season gets underway very soon?
Bourgeois: This may be my final high school season, but I am taking it one week at a time and looking to go out with a bang. I plan to attack every week with the mindset of dominating and leaving my mark at East Ridge. This is not going to be the same East Ridge team people are accustomed to.
