In a move that could solve the Bulldogs’ quarterback search before the first whistle of spring camp, former San Benito QB Michael Bocksnick has transferred to Sobrato High School, SHS associate head football coach Albert King said Monday.
Bocksnick is coming off a second-team all-league junior campaign in which he threw for 751 yards, rushed for 587 and scored 14 touchdowns while leading the Haybalers to a Tri-County Athletic League championship and the Central Coast Section Open Division playoffs.
Bocksnick lifted weights with the Bulldogs for the first time Monday but is still recovering from a broken ankle he suffered during the second series of 13-12 win over Palma on Nov. 11. Without him, the ’Balers lost 36-0 to Archbishop Mitty in the first round of the playoffs the following week. Bocksnick, who was 4-2-1 as a starter last fall, missed two other games because of injuries.
Sobrato is scheduled to begin spring ball in mid-May.
“Michael’s still got some rehabbing to do, and we’re still getting to know him and still getting to know when he’s going to be able to go full speed,” King said. “Right now, he’s limited in what he could do.”
Still, Bocksnick’s transfer has been cause for excitement for a Sobrato team in need of replacing MVP quarterback Jerry Jacob, who amassed 1,467 passing yards and 18 touchdowns as a senior in 2011, helping the Bulldogs to their first Santa Teresa Division title and entry into the elite Mount Hamilton Division.
The 6-foot, 175-pound Bocksnick seems like an ideal fit, given his sprinter’s speed, great vision and arm strength, plus his knowledge for the wing-T offense. Sobrato and San Benito run the same version.
“Anytime you get an athlete of that caliber, you can’t help but get a little excited about it,” King said. “But we have been full-steam ahead with the program even without Michael.”
Upon learning in early March that Bocksnick was moving with his family to Morgan Hill, the Sobrato coaching staff was not anticipating he would transfer to SHS, King said.
“You can’t pay attention to rumors,” he added. “Last year, if you paid attention to rumors, (running back Obi Mbonu) would be at Valley Christian.
“The thing is, now that he’s here, we get a chance to get a good look, and it does add some excitement because, with that kind of talent, our playbook opens up some more, and you can do a little bit more with him just because of the type of athlete he is.”
Staff writer Connor Ramey contributed to this report.
