BLUE CHIP CHAT ’ 19
( Third in a series on top high school football players in the area.)
THE SCOOP
Fisher is expected to be the defensive leader of the defending WPIAL and PIAA Class 3A champion Quips. He is considered one of the top linebackers in the state. He also plays basketball. Zuriah is a name his mother took as a version of Zachariah. This is the seventh consecutive year a Fisher will play for Aliquippa. The others were Dajour and Xavier. Xavier was nicknamed “Big Scoop,” Dajour was “Little Scoop” and Zuriah is “Baby Scoop.” Dajour plays at IUP. Zuriah Fisher has two uncles who played at Ambridge and then Division I football — Keith Fisher at Michigan and Kelvin Fisher at Arizona State. Kelvin is a scout for the Steelers.
COLLEGE TALK
Fisher is being recruited as a defensive player and has a number of scholarship offers from Football Bowl Subdivision schools. He planned to announce his college choice Aug. 5, but then announced on his Twitter account that he would wait. Michigan State and Penn State are two of his top choices. He has made an official visit to Michigan State and now has decided to make an official visit to Penn State.
OUR QUESTIONS, HIS ANSWERS
Is there a totally different feeling on this team this year because it’s the second year for the coach [ Mike Warfield] and not everybody thinks you’re going to be as dominant? Yeah, you’re right. But we still have the same expectations. We come here, work every day and want to win states again. But this team lost a lot from last year? We just have to keep working.
Well then what’s going to be the key to having a big season? Just have to keep working.
You’re not going to give anything away, are you? ( Laugh) Nope.
Is your role different? I have to step up more as a leader. Last year, I was a leader, but not like M. J. [ Devonshire] and
Will [ Gipson]. This year, I have to step up a notch.
Are you totally set that you want to play linebacker in college? Yeah, but it doesn’t matter. Linebacker or outside rusher. I’m a team player. Wherever they want me, I’ll play there. Is it hard to grow up in Aliquippa? It can be, but if you have good parents, you’ll grow up good. It’s not that hard. You just have to make your own decisions. What’s the hardest part? Even with sports here, the competitiveness gets crazy. It starts in little leagues. What about life in general? You just have to watch out for stuff. And “stuff” is what? Just watch who you hang out with and watch your surroundings.
AND FINALLY …
You guys go this week to a weeklong camp at California University of Pennsylvania. The coaches will take your cellphones. Does
that bother you? Yeah, they take them when we get there. I don’t mind it much. We actually had to talk to each other last year when they took them. It’s not a big deal to me because I don’t go on Twitter and everything else very much.