This time last year, Michael Bocksnick was a wide-eyed sophomore
coming off a successful freshman year with his father – freshman
San Benito High football coach Herb Bocksnick – aiding him along
the way.
This time last year, Michael Bocksnick was a wide-eyed sophomore coming off a successful freshman year with his father – freshman San Benito High football coach Herb Bocksnick – aiding him along the way.
During the 2010 season, as the Balers’ backup to quarterback Tyler Decker, Bocksnick played sparingly and made an immediate impact.
Rushing for seen touchdowns, including multiple long scampers, it’s easy to see the 16 year old’s upside.
As a track and field star, Bocksnick has elite speed, and in the open field, he is elusive.
“Teams are going to have to prepare for him every week,” varsity head coach Chris Cameron said. “More than anyone on our team, they will have to find a way to stop him. That’s their problem.”
And it’s a nice weapon to have.
Bocksnick, who ran in the 4×400 -meter relay and helped record the fastest time in Central Coast Section history last year, expects his speed to give the team an element of explosion and more points on the scoreboard.
“It’s made me more explosive,” he said. “Coming out of breaks, and getting my head around, getting up to stride.”
Born in Montana before moving to Hollister, Bocksnick has always been surrounded by football – thanks, of course, to his football coach of a dad.
“It’s football 24/7,” he said. “Everything is about football.”
Bocksnick has an extreme love for Baler football and he remembers going to the stadium to watch his red and white idols. And all of that pushes his excitement to be the man under center.
“Watching the Balers on Friday night – (this) is something I always wanted to do,” he said. “I loved watching Karson (Klauer) and Trevor (Fabing) … and Tyler (Decker) last year – backing him up – and playing the game. I’m really excited.”
Throughout the summer, Bocksnick has been declared “the guy.” During practice in his No. 5 jersey, Bocksnick is easy to find. With his two backups also listed as defensive players, Bocksnick at times is the only guy throwing the ball.
Because of that and the anticipation, the summer has been a long process for the quarterback.
“This summer has been really long and exhausting,” he said Thursday. “Today was our 10th summer practice, and we are looking forward to playing against someone else besides ourselves.”
When he takes the field Friday as the starting quarterback, butterflies won’t be flying … but confidence will be.
“We are going to get ready to go,” he said. “I’m excited to play Palo Alto in the first game.”
Palo Alto – the reigning Division I state champions after a perfect 14-0 season – will be a challenge, but all Bocksnick has to do is look at the first half of the Balers’ loss to the Vikings last year.
“We were right in there, and we fought hard,” he said about the Balers’ 23-6 lost to the Vikings last year.
Regardless of what happens during that first contest, Cameron expects a lot from his young quarterback.
“He needs to be a leader for us,” he said. “There is a lot of pressure on the kid. He’ll do fine.”
The following is this week’s episode of the San Benito Score, featuring a breakdown of Anzar’s 8-man football program:
