Question: First off, how\u2019s everything working for you?<\/p>\n
Ross Cinfel: Very good. I made the move to tight end and H-back. I\u2019m loving it.<\/p>\n
Q: Why did the coaches make the change?<\/p>\n
RC: It\u2019s better for me to get recruited Division I.<\/p>\n
Q: Who made the call to switch you over to offense?<\/p>\n
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, \u201cI think you\u2019d be a really good fit at fullback\/H-back. It\u2019d be better to get Division I offers.\u201d<\/p>\n
Q: How did you take that? You\u2019ve probably always been a linebacker, and you were a pretty good defensive player.<\/p>\n
RC: Yeah, I always have that defensive mentality, you know? We\u2019re gonna punch someone in the face, we\u2019re gonna bully someone. So bringing that over to offense, I actually like it. I was like, \u201cOkay, I\u2019m just gonna do whatever\u2019s best for the team.\u201d<\/p>\n
Q: How quickly did you adjust to the whole offense?<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Q: Did you get some pointers from your brother?<\/p>\n
RC: Oh, yeah, definitely. Definitely got some pointers.<\/p>\n
Q: What did he tell you?<\/p>\n
RC: In the back of my mind, I\u2019m always thinking he\u2019s in the backfield. If I want my brother to succeed, I gotta succeed. So I gotta get my blocks, I gotta run the ball \u2014 I gotta block for him so he can run that ball.<\/p>\n
Q: It\u2019s vice versa, right?<\/p>\n
RC: Pretty much, yeah.<\/p>\n
Q: But when you catch the ball, he\u2019s blocking for you?<\/p>\n
RC: He\u2019s blocking for me, yeah. And if I\u2019m ever \u2014 I\u2019m always like, \u201cI gotta block my block super good\u201d just so he can run right off my butt. And if I get the ball, I know he\u2019s going to be the first one down there.<\/p>\n
Q: Would you call yourself a good blocker?<\/p>\n
RC: I do. Hopefully.<\/p>\n
Q: Well, you\u2019re used to that. When you\u2019re on defense, you\u2019re going after the quarterback. Only this time, you\u2019re protecting the quarterback.<\/p>\n
RC: Yeah, you gotta get all up in their face.<\/p>\n
Q: Obviously, I asked you this earlier, but what have the coaches told you? Have they critiqued your work so far? Have they said, \u201cYou\u2019re doing a great job, but this is what you need to keep doing\u201d?<\/p>\n
RC: Definitely. They\u2019re saying I\u2019m doing a good job blocking, but they think I need to just open up when I\u2019m running. I\u2019m a little stiff when I\u2019m running my routes. I need to take the correct footwork, do all that. But they definitely love when we\u2019re in the chutes, bumping and all that with the O-line and other offensive guys.<\/p>\n
Q: So I trust you\u2019re a good blocker, but are you excelling as a pass catcher?<\/p>\n
RC: Oh, I think so. I haven\u2019t dropped a ball in three weeks. Don\u2019t want to jinx myself now, but I feel like I\u2019m pretty good. I keep my eye on the ball, make sure to tuck it.<\/p>\n
Q: Well, you finally got some competition this Saturday.<\/p>\n
RC: Yeah, I can\u2019t wait to see what happens.<\/p>\n
Q: Another team is a test for you guys, but it\u2019ll also be a test for yourself, you know, trying to get a scholarship here.<\/p>\n
RC: Exactly. You gotta go against the best to be the best.<\/p>\n
Q: What are you gonna do to get that scholarship? Did you set a plan for yourself \u2014 this is what I need to do?<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Q: What is your goal for the season?<\/p>\n
RC: For myself? I wanna be a state champ. You know, new coach, (Josh Brown). Hey, we\u2019re hustling, so \u2026 state champ. Hopefully, that brings attention to the program, brings attention to the players. Hopefully everybody gets theirs.<\/p>\n
Q: So let me ask you about Coach. How has he helped you since he\u2019s been here?<\/p>\n
RC: Personally, he\u2019s helped with just situations, knowing that he coached at a Division I college for so many years. So he knows what they\u2019re looking for. He knows how they practice, how hard they practice, who they\u2019re looking for, and what you need to do to get to that level.<\/p>\n
Q: What about Coach Scheidt?<\/p>\n
RC: Coach Scheidt, yes, definitely. He\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
Q: Is it kind of refreshing to have him on offense with you rather than defense?<\/p>\n
RC: Definitely, because he knows how hard I work and how hard I\u2019m gonna push everybody. And he knows how physical I can be, so it\u2019s good to have a coach that was with me last year.<\/p>\n
This story was originally published August 27, 2026 at 2:26 PM.<\/p>\n
Related Stories from Fresno Bee<\/p>\n
Anthony Galaviz<\/a><\/p>\n The Fresno Bee<\/p>\n 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\u2019s 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.\u00a0
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