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Zone Read: Angel Flores Unplugged

Eric Sorenson
Arizona Sports News online

Angel Flores’ life the past couple of years, both on the field and off, has seen a transition from the desert of southern Arizona, to the northern Arizona cool pines.

The former Casa Grande Union High star, now NAU redshirt freshman quarterback, sat down with “Zone Read” to discuss a myriad of topics, including bringing the first Arizona High School Football State Championship to CG, learning how to care for his body as a college quarterback, the lifelong influence of his former high school coach, and much more.

First, let’s throw it back. You’re a couple of years removed from leading CG to that 4A State Championship in 2021. Do you still think about that early December Friday evening at Sun Devil Stadium? “Yes, I do. I still think about that. I still think about all my teammates and coaches. That year was very memorable. So, it’s kind of hard to forget. 

“I still have footballs and I still have my room put up so it reminds me quite a bit. I still think about that.”

That was an unbelievable game and finish. Is there any one moment either before, during, or after the game that really sticks in your mind? “I would probably say after the game when me and all my teammates were down on the field. Just realizing [that] would be the last time playing with all [those] guys. I was really soaking in the moment. So, I would have to say after the game just being happy and seeing all my teammates’ faces with smiles. Just being happy with what we just did.”

As I remember, didn’t the city of Casa Grande have a full, send off parade for you guys on the way to the Tempe? “Yes, definitely. It was so cool.

“It started at the school. We drove through [the parade] at the school and then we drove down this road and there were a bunch of people from Casa Grande sending us off. I want to say they stayed all along that road until we got to the freeway, so that was pretty cool.”

I want you to be honest here. Are you a pretty bog deal with you go back to Casa Grande? “(laughing) Yeah, here and there. People who have followed me since high school stop me and say hi. I like to be friendly and cool to anyone that I can meet. I try to remember their names and definitely say hi when I see them [again].

“I went to Wal-Mart this past break and like, this random guy came up to me and he was still talking about the championship game and how it meant so much to him and his brother and how it made his whole year. Even with the game two years ago, a random person I didn’t know saw me and said that, so that’s pretty cool.”

There aren’t many high school coaches I respect more than Jake Barro who, at the time, was your head coach at CG. How much of an impact has he had on your life, not just on the field, but off it, as well? “He’s a great mentor. Since the day I met him, he treated me like family. That’s how he treated all of us. He’s always treated us like one of his own, and that’s something I’m extremely grateful for.

“He’s a guy that’s going to help you no matter what. He’s going to do all he can to help you in any circumstance. Whether that’s being recruited, whether that’s just being a person you need in your life. He’s a guy that shows endless love and I’m extremely grateful for him and thankful to have him in my life.”

Do you think it’s sort of crazy you’ve already had two full seasons at NAU? “(laughing) Yeah, it’s totally crazy. Time is going by so fast. I just kind of realized that, ‘Wow, I’ve already been here two whole years.”

What do you think you’ve learned the most, either one the field or off, over those first two years? “I’d say just living on my own. I’ve grown up in a sense. I don’t have mom around. I don’t have a bunch of family around anymore so I think I’ve grown as an individual person the most. Being able to cook my own food and do what I need to do. So, I think, in that area I grew the most.”

Do you love NAU as much as you hoped you’d love it when you signed? “It’s everything I wanted it to be, and a little more, actually. Great people. The coaches are obviously really good. So I’m excited to meet the new coaches. But the school is really good, I love Flagstaff. The location. You get all the seasons. I mean, I’m not a really big fan of all this snow (laughing). But it’s not too bad and I’m not too far from home so I can go see my mom and see my brother, so that’s nice.”

Have you seen any elk since you’ve been in Flagstaff? “No, I haven’t seen any elk but I saw a deer, though.”

In two years, no elk? Not even one time driving home down the I-17 or anything? “No, I haven’t seen any.”

Have you seen a bear? “(laughing) No. I have not seen a bear.”

How’s school going? What are you studying? “It’s going really good. I’m studying fitness and wellness. I’d like to be a strength and conditioning coach for football.”

Last month I talked to Hendrix Johnson for this column and we chatting about the Flagstaff weather a little bit. He said getting re-adjusted to the altitude after being down in the Valley for summer or winter break was tough, especially for those first workouts. Do you agree with his assessment? “Yes, I feel the exact same way. We had a few workouts [Tuesday] morning, and we haven’t even really started running much, and I’m getting winded. I was like, ‘Wow.'”

You played a lot this past season. How do you feel you adjusted to speed of the game at the Big Sky level? “I would definitely say it’s more attention to detail. Watching film a lot more, a lot more understanding coverages.

“That, and just getting my body ready, overall. In high school I didn’t take much care of it. Obviously, I took care of it but not like I have to now. Now, it’s a lot different. With the level of competition you’re playing, you’re taking hits from Division I linebackers, Division I d-linemen. So I need to make sure I ice tub, make sure I foam roll, and all the other things to keep my body up. That’s one of the biggest things I had to do. Just maintaining my body.”

Take us through your routine to keep your body up to speed. “Mondays I’ll meet with the AT [athletic trainer]. Her name is Amanda. She’s amazing. She usually puts plans together for me. One day it will be foam rolling, stretching, and I’ll get into Theraboots. I make sure I do a contrast bath [cold and hot] one day out of the week, maybe two days a week. The other days I would do manual therapy where she would do like scraping or cupping. I would make sure I would get most of that done throughout the week before our next game.”

Instead of going in the ice bath, do ever just got outside and sit in the snow? “(laughing) I haven’t tried that but one of our strength coaches actually did that last year. It was funny. He like, dug himself into the snow.”

I know it’s been a tough couple months for you guys with Coach Ball, Coach Pflugrad, and the previous staff who recruited you, not being retained. How did you find out about that decision? “Coach Ball actually sat us all down and let us know what was going on. We had a team meeting. He filled us in on everything that was going on. So, that’s how I found out.”

Brian Wright is now the new head coach. Have you had the opportunity to sit down with him yet and learn what he’s all about? “Yes, we’ve sat down a couple times and talked. He seems like a really, really good guy. Just sitting down and talking to him. All of his philosophies and what he believes in. A lot of things he said, I really liked. He seems like a great coach, and I know he is. Just looking at his resume’ and what a bunch of people are telling me. So, I’m excited.”

 

 

 

 

 

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A Valley native, Eric has had a passion for the Arizona sports scene since an early age. He has covered some of the biggest events including Super Bowls, national championships and the NBA and MLB playoffs in his near 20 years in local media.

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