Know Your Trainers: Q/A with 4th Quarter Elite
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HUTCHINSON– With so many football services across the state of Minnesota that work tirelessly to help kids train in the offseason, I figured a “Know Your Trainers” piece would go a little more in-depth to what they offer to the kids.
I caught up for a Q/A with former Southwest Minnesota State RB Davontay Stevens who grew up in Jacksonville but started 4th Quarter Elite training based in Central Minnesota to cater to the communities of Hutchinson, Willmar, Dassel-Cokato, Litchfield, and so many others after his time as a Mustang.
Q: What is your football background?
Intro on Stevens & 4th Quarter Elite: Stevens made the almost 24-hour haul from Jacksonville to take his talents to SMSU to play football for the Mustangs and further his education. Stevens had a very successful career at running back for the Mustangs, as he was the 6th player in school history to have a 1000 yard rushing season and ranks 3rd all-time at SMSU for rushing yards. In 2015, Stevens led the Northern Sun in rushing yards and was first-team all-conference, CoSida All-American, Team MVP, among other accolades. After his playing career wrapped up, he spent one more year in Marshall helping out coach the running backs.
As far as his training groups go, he offers position-specific training (private & small group), speed & agility training, strength and conditioning, and mentorship.
Q: What are your biggest goals with each position group you coach?
Stevens: When working with any position group, my biggest goal is to work on transitional drills. The drills that will actually translate to the game and instill confidence through reputation. A lot of guys that I work with have tremendous potential, I believe in them, and my goal is to make them realize what they are cable of and gain confidence in what they are doing, and push them outside of their comfort zone to reach their full potential.
OL/DL – Footwork, technique, hand placement/strikes, pulling, and power (explode through the hips)
RB/FB – Ball security, first and foremost, protect the rock. I incorporate ball security in every RB session. Be the aggressor! Get downhill, one cut and go. Footwork, proper pad level, knee drive, learning to set up blocks, blocking, jump cuts, catching, and vision. I want to help develop complete backs. Drills vary as I adjust to the RBs’ style of play and the offense they run.
TE/WR – Precise route running, catching, getting off the press, and blocking.
LB/DB – Lateral speed/movement, read your keys and trigger downhill, elusive hips, change of direction, form tackling through the man, how to take appropriate angles, and breaking on the ball.
Q: What are some things that make a player an average player vs. an excellent one?
Stevens: Hard work over everything, raw talent will only get you so far. A player’s will to work hard day in and day out is what will separate an average football player from an excellent one. Not only will to work hard, but they will listen to coaching, will to study film, will to succeed academically first, and the will to sacrifice for the guy next to you and NEVER quit.
Don’t get too high or too low after any performance. There’s always work to be done, and being consistent is key. You got to have a short-term memory while playing this game; play the next play.
Q: What high school football programs are some of your trainees from in Central Minnesota?
Stevens: All across Central Minnesota. Hutchinson, Glencoe-Silver Lake, Litchfield, Dassel-Cokato, Waconia, Willmar, and BOLD.
Q: What do your workouts consist of? What are those key points you strive to make your trainees better?
Stevens: You can expect a high-intensity workout with me. The guys know I love them and joke with them but it when its time to work, we get after it. Workouts vary depending on the day’s focus. I incorporate resistance training in the sandpits, hill/conditioning work, speed work, and plyometrics. The technique is key during position-specific training, and we will get better through reputations.
Don’t get too high or too low after any performance. There’s always work to be done, and being consistent is key. You got to have a short-term memory while playing this game, play the next play. It’s never about you, the team first.
Q: Who are some notable prospects in your program that we would know from Central Minnesota?
Aaron Elliott Aaron Elliott 6'3" | 215 lbs | LB Hutchinson | 2022 State MN , ATH, Hutchinson
Alex Elliot, ATH, Hutchinson
Sam Rensch Sam Rensch 6'6" | 205 lbs | DB Hutchinson | 2022 State MN , WR/DB, Hutchinson
Kayden College Kayden College 6'4" | 195 lbs | WR Armstrong | 2022 State MN , OL/DL, Litchfield
Mitchel Jaskowiak, RB/LB, Glencoe-Silver Lake
Colin Nagel Colin Nagel 6'3" | 230 lbs | TE Hutchinson | 2022 State MN , ATH, Hutchinson
Logan Hoppe Logan Hoppe 6'4" | 235 lbs | DL Hutchinson | 2023 State MN , LB/FB, Hutchinson
Max Einick, OL/DL, Hutchinson
Mitchell Piehl Mitchell Piehl 6'0" | 170 lbs | RB Hutchinson | 2022 State MN , RB/LB, Hutchinson