Los Banos’ Herrera hoping to take another leap in 2015

Adam Herrera could have easily basked in last season’s glory.

Moving under center for the first time in his life, Herrera thrived as Los Banos’ dual-threat signal caller. The then-junior led the Tigers to an unexpected Western Athletic Conference title and the Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV semifinals while earning the WAC Offensive Player of the Year honor.

The success only motivated Herrera.

“I was definitely inspired by last year,” Herrera said. “I learned so much in one year, but I also knew I had so much more to learn. Pretty much as soon as last season ended, I started working on my footwork. I’ve got one more year, and I want to see how good I can be.”

Herrera has certainly put in the work, hitting up a couple college summer camps, side throwing sessions with his wide receivers and film study as he continues to learn to read defenses.

The senior showed off his continually developing skill set at the Golden Valley Camp last week, displaying excellent touch and decision-making during 7-on-7 drills. The Tigers took on Golden Valley, Le Grand and Stone Ridge Christian in their final summer tuneup before the dead period begins Monday.

“The expectations are high considering what he did last year, but people need to remember it’s still just his second season as a quarterback,” Tigers coach Dustin Caropreso said. “There’s still going to be mistakes as he continues to learn the position.

“His role with the team is definitely going to increase. We’re going to have him play safety also this season. We have to. He’s too good an athlete not to utilize him. I think being a part of the secondary is just going to help him in understanding what defenses are trying to do to him.”

Herrera said as much time as he’s dedicated to the physical aspects of being a quarterback, reading defenses has been his top priority this summer.

“Last year I knew I could run and I could throw it a little bit, but there were plays where I’d get back to the huddle and have no idea what just happened,” Herrera said. “Now I’m confident every play on who I’m supposed to read and where I should go with the ball based off of that.

“It’s allowed us to do more with the offense. Last year it was hand off or keep it. This year, I might step back and throw. It’s going to make us tougher to defend.”

Herrera’s continued development with his receiving corps should also give opposing defenses pause as he becomes more of a true dual threat in his second year.

“Adam’s come so far from last year,” Los Banos wide receiver David Walker said. “Last year, he was good, but this year, he’s on another level.

“We’ve gone out a bunch of times just working on passing trees and getting down our timing. He’s seeing what’s happening and making the right decisions. We’re excited to see what we can do as an offense.”

The dead period ends Aug. 10, and Los Banos opens the season on the road against Madera on Aug. 28.

This story was originally published July 19, 2015 at 7:33 PM with the headline "Los Banos’ Herrera hoping to take another leap in 2015."