Sun Valley HS has one of the top sophomores in the state this football season. QB Sam Howell is coming off an outstanding freshman season where he led the Spartans in passing by completing 202 of 358 passes for 3,586 yards with 35 touchdowns and added 207 rushing yards with 8 touchdowns. He was selected a freshman All-American by MaxPreps and was the Southern Carolina 3A Offensive Player of the Year last year.
In week 1 of the 2016 NCHSAA football season, Howell and the Spartans had a huge victory over county-rival Monroe 45-37. He completed 11 of 20 passes for 285 yards with 5 touchdowns and ran 5 times for 88 yards with a score.
NCPreps.com caught up with Howell and he had the following comment about the upcoming season.
How did it feel to get to work on the gridiron with your teammates in week one?
" It felt great to be back out there with my brothers. We had been waiting all year for that game. I love taking the field with my brothers, so every time its great."
You had a big performance in week one how can you improve on that going into week two?
" I just need to keep the same intensity and focus on one game at a time."
What QB mechanics have you worked on in the off-season?
" I have been working on my feet a lot. I have been doing a lot of movement in the pocket training."
How does it feel to have your dad as one of your coaches on your high school staff? Is there any pressure?
" I think there's a great advantage to it. Knowing I can always talk to him about how to improve my game. We watch a lot of film and spend a lot of time together perfecting my craft."
What colleges are showing you interest early in the recruiting process?
"Most of the ACC schools like North Carolina, North Carolina State, Virginia Tech, Duke, Wake Forest, and Clemson. I have received mail from a few other schools like Florida State, Maryland, Oregon, Florida, and Georgia."
What is your dream college?
"Any school that trusts me and truly wants me to represent their program as the quarterback."
What was your GPA this past year?
" 4.0"
What QB do you model your game after?
"I model my game after Tom Brady."
What are your expectations for the season?
"At Sun Valley, we have high goals. Win the conference outright, and to be playing Thanksgiving week. Me personally I always have high goals which are to be playing in the state championship this year."
How often do you watch game film?
"I watch film for an hour or two 5 days a week."
What was the longest touchdown you have thrown so far in your high school career?
"Probably somewhere around 85 yards."
Tell us something you like to do outside of football?
"Go fishing with my dad."
What makes you a leader?
"I think I do a good job of leading by example. My teammates can always count on me to be doing the right thing."
How much do you bench in the weight room?
"My max at the beginning of summer was 245 lbs."
Who has influenced you the most as a person?
"My dad has influenced me the most to not only be a great football player, but to be a good man off the field."
