2025 interview with Eric Beach from Camden Catholic High School (NJ)

 

 

(I met this young man and his father last year while I was covering games in New Jersey.)

Eric Beach

Camden Catholic High School (NJ)

Quarterback

2028

5’11, 165 lbs

Jersey Number #6

Awards won or earned: None at this time

For the readers, could you let everyone know what day New Jersey starts their high school football season?

Usually week 1 is the first weekend of September, and anything prior to that is week 0. We start our season this year on August 28th.

What is the toughest part of being the quarterback?

Managing your time off the field. The non-stop training, film study, tournaments, camps, and practices are so important to your development. It’s very easy to allow any of these things to take over your off season. The importance placed on each area changes every off season. You need to set clear goals and plan around them.

What is the best part of being the quarterback?

My teammates. I’m always there to communicate with, encourage, and celebrate them. My goal is for them to see the field and know exactly what I’m thinking pre- and post-snap. This takes constant communication, discussing scenarios, and reviewing film. This is going to put them in the best position for success on the field. The less I have to verbally do that at the LOS, the more we can keep the D guessing.

What are your personal goals for the 2025 football season?

As of right now we have a very, very young team, and I'm not setting major goals. My focus is going to be on each snap and the completion of the current drive I'm on. After the drive is done, I get back to the sideline, reset mentally, process what I saw, get feedback from my coaches, and get ready for the next drive. I’m looking more at statistical ranges vs. setting numbers. TD to INT ratio at 3 to 1, get QBR up above 120, increase completion & adjusted completion %, and get scoring drives above 60%.

What goals are you setting for your team?

This year it's all about growth for each player and all phases of the game. As I stated above, we’re very young, and there has been a ton of change this off season. It’s more about becoming a team and hitting our stride as the season progresses. Those two things will catapult us into the future.

What type of defense is the hardest to prep for? Explain.

Definitely cover 0 & 1, but at the same time, it's when you’re really playing QB. It’s a simplistic defense, but it’s pure chaos. There are so many variables to read with less time to make decisions, and you have to rely more on anticipation, which can get you in trouble. Pre-snap, you have to identify where the rush is coming from, set the Mike, change the protection, communicate the hot, decide on your defender key, and find your check-down. Post-snap, are the defenders running/pressing receivers? You have to use your peripheral vision to see if the rush was picked up, understand you have 2 seconds in man coverage, and usually you have to anticipate your guy is going to get to a space. Zone coverage: you have 3 seconds. It’s more drop & read, hitch, check down, or take off.

What have you done during the off-season to become a better player?

This off season I’ve been playing 7-on-7 since December on a national and local schedule. I’ve continued to work with my QB coaches Marcus Hammond and Chris Baucia. I’ve been in the weight room with my team and myself working with Ed Torres. I’ve also done a lot of mental and cognitive exercises with Brianna Capacchione, which have done wonders for me.

Which part of your game do you believe is the strongest?

Throwing on time. My goal is to take what the D is giving me, put the right guy in a position to catch the ball, and make a play after the catch. My focus is moving the chains. 1st down: minimum of 4 yards; 2nd down: half the distance to get a 1st; 3rd down: pick up the 1st, and repeat the process.

What makes you a good teammate?

My ability to pick my teammates up. I do a good job with refocusing them when needed. They just want to contribute to the team, and I have to remind them that failure is a part of the process. Good or bad, the last play is gone; don't let either affect the next one.

What are you looking forward to the most this season?

I’m looking forward to just getting on the field with my guys.

What are your favorite and least favorite parts of practice?

Running scout O against the starting defense for both. Our defense, especially the D-line, was the heart of the team last year. The D-line dominated in the trenches, and if you made a mistake, the back end of the D made you pay. It was super frustrating at times, but it also helped me. It forced me to speed up my timing, focus my decision-making, and anticipate more.

Which type of weather is the toughest for you as a QB to play in?

The toughest weather is HEAVY rain, in my opinion. It’s hard to get a good grip on the drenched ball. It's hard to have on-point mechanics because of the mud and conditions of the field.

What are your favorite and least favorite types of music?

My favorite type of music is rap and R&B. My top 3 artists right now for me are Drake, SZA, and Rod Wave. My least favorite type of music is country.

What is your go-to snack?

My go-to snack is Oreos all the time.

What is the one sport that you cannot watch on TV?

Soccer and Hockey. There is so much happening away from the ball and puck that isn’t seen on TV. I enjoy watching them more from the stands.

My biggest moment from last year was my first varsity pass, which was a 49-yard touchdown to my wide receiver, Daivon Dixon. We had double slants with a flat rail complimented to the trip side, and on the backside we had a one-on-one curl route. I liked what I saw on the trip’s side. I read the outside linebacker who flew inside to the first slant. That opened up the second window, and I took what they gave me. Daivon made the rest happen!

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