Ross Cinfel was accustomed to hitting and tackling offensive players during his time playing football at Clovis North and Fresno City College, where he played defense during his freshman season in 2025.
Then came the change.
Cinfel is switching to offense for his sophomore season, playing halfback and tight end — roles he embraces.
He’ll find out whether the switch was the right call when the Rams face Sierra College at 6 p.m. Saturday in Rocklin.
The game will not be broadcast on the radio, but it will be streamed on Sierra College’s Hudl page.
Question: First off, how’s everything working for you?
Ross Cinfel: Very good. I made the move to tight end and H-back. I’m loving it.
Q: Why did the coaches make the change?
RC: It’s better for me to get recruited Division I.
Q: Who made the call to switch you over to offense?
RC: I think it was (assistant/tight ends) coach (Rick) Scheidt, because he was my linebacker coach last year. He called me right after the season and was like, “I think you’d be a really good fit at fullback/H-back. It’d be better to get Division I offers.”
Q: How did you take that? You’ve probably always been a linebacker, and you were a pretty good defensive player.
RC: Yeah, I always have that defensive mentality, you know? We’re gonna punch someone in the face, we’re gonna bully someone. So bringing that over to offense, I actually like it. I was like, “Okay, I’m just gonna do whatever’s best for the team.”
Q: How quickly did you adjust to the whole offense?
RC: I think it took me a couple weeks. It took me a couple weeks to understand how to run the routes, how to catch the ball, and just how to read the box. But I think I got it down pretty good right now.
Q: Did you get some pointers from your brother?
RC: Oh, yeah, definitely. Definitely got some pointers.
Q: What did he tell you?
RC: In the back of my mind, I’m always thinking he’s in the backfield. If I want my brother to succeed, I gotta succeed. So I gotta get my blocks, I gotta run the ball — I gotta block for him so he can run that ball.
Q: It’s vice versa, right?
RC: Pretty much, yeah.
Q: But when you catch the ball, he’s blocking for you?
RC: He’s blocking for me, yeah. And if I’m ever — I’m always like, “I gotta block my block super good” just so he can run right off my butt. And if I get the ball, I know he’s going to be the first one down there.
Q: Would you call yourself a good blocker?
RC: I do. Hopefully.
Q: Well, you’re used to that. When you’re on defense, you’re going after the quarterback. Only this time, you’re protecting the quarterback.
RC: Yeah, you gotta get all up in their face.
Q: Obviously, I asked you this earlier, but what have the coaches told you? Have they critiqued your work so far? Have they said, “You’re doing a great job, but this is what you need to keep doing”?
RC: Definitely. They’re saying I’m doing a good job blocking, but they think I need to just open up when I’m running. I’m a little stiff when I’m running my routes. I need to take the correct footwork, do all that. But they definitely love when we’re in the chutes, bumping and all that with the O-line and other offensive guys.
Q: So I trust you’re a good blocker, but are you excelling as a pass catcher?
RC: Oh, I think so. I haven’t dropped a ball in three weeks. Don’t want to jinx myself now, but I feel like I’m pretty good. I keep my eye on the ball, make sure to tuck it.
Q: Well, you finally got some competition this Saturday.
RC: Yeah, I can’t wait to see what happens.
Q: Another team is a test for you guys, but it’ll also be a test for yourself, you know, trying to get a scholarship here.
RC: Exactly. You gotta go against the best to be the best.
Q: What are you gonna do to get that scholarship? Did you set a plan for yourself — this is what I need to do?
RC: Just stacking days. I work out two to three times a day, including football. I stay late, catch balls, and work on different situations. I try to block as hard as I can and take the correct footsteps, because I know when I get to the next level, there are gonna be key, minor details. The little details matter.
Q: What is your goal for the season?
RC: For myself? I wanna be a state champ. You know, new coach, (Josh Brown). Hey, we’re hustling, so … state champ. Hopefully, that brings attention to the program, brings attention to the players. Hopefully everybody gets theirs.
Q: So let me ask you about Coach. How has he helped you since he’s been here?
RC: Personally, he’s helped with just situations, knowing that he coached at a Division I college for so many years. So he knows what they’re looking for. He knows how they practice, how hard they practice, who they’re looking for, and what you need to do to get to that level.
Q: What about Coach Scheidt?
RC: Coach Scheidt, yes, definitely. He’s definitely out there helping me, letting me know, getting in my ear, letting me know what to do, what I need to do, and what college coaches are looking for.
Q: Is it kind of refreshing to have him on offense with you rather than defense?
RC: Definitely, because he knows how hard I work and how hard I’m gonna push everybody. And he knows how physical I can be, so it’s good to have a coach that was with me last year.
This story was originally published August 27, 2026 at 2:26 PM.
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Anthony Galaviz writes about breaking news/sports for The Fresno Bee. He covers the Las Vegas Raiders, high schools, boxing, MMA and junior colleges. He’s been with The Bee since 1997 and attended Fresno City College before graduating from Fresno State with a major in journalism and a minor in criminology.
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