Fresno City’s Walter Segal hoping to make impact on defensive line

Walter Segal was wrecking havoc when he played football at Clovis West in 2014.

That season, Segal shattered a single-season sacks record with 18, breaking Donavan Lewis’ mark of nine.

But last season with the Rams, Segal finished with 17 tackles though he had a team-leading four sacks. He’s eying a double-digit sack total this season with the goal to “hoping to do enough to get my team a win.”

So during the offseason, he worked on building his 6-foot-1 and 240-pound frame with trainer Jackson Lakatani, hoping to pay dividends when the season opens Sept. 3 against Sierra College in Rocklin.

“I would like to be the best rusher Fresno City has ever had,” said Segal, who in the offseason benched press more than 400 pounds. “That’s a hard goal, but that’s what I strive for. Keep striving for the best and I want to be known as a dominant pass rusher, and a great run stopper also. I love pass rushing. That’s my thing.”

Coach Tony Caviglia said Segal is one of the top Division I prospects on the team.

“I think he was born to play football,” Caviglia said. “His demeanor in all facets in training, practicing and playing are exactly you want as a football player.”

Rams defensive line coach Del Hawkins has seen a different look on Segal since last season and is eager to see how he performs on the field this season.

“He’s a high IQ football player who’s technically and fundamentally sound,” Hawkins said. “Comes to work to work every day and a quiet leader. Everything he does is to put himself in a position to better himself.”

It all started for Segal when he played for Caruthers youth football, which he helped him stay busy and out of trouble.

“The whole Caruthers youth football coaching staff over there … they seem to care,” Segal said.

As far as long-term goals, Segal said he wants “to play football as long as possible, and pretty much I want to be a coach.”

Much like the care and support he received from his youth coaches, he wants to return the favor to the next generation.

“I want to inspire kids like I was inspired when I was little,” Segal said. “I wouldn’t be the kid I am today without it. Probably would be in trouble without football. Who knows? It’s just the coaches, the way they’ve impacted my life, I want to be the same for kids.”

Rams switch to Adidas – For the first time in six seasons, Fresno City has new uniforms – switching from Nike to Adidas.

For practice, Fresno City has red and white jerseys with the defense wearing red with “Compete” on the back, while the offense wears white with “Finish” written on them.

“We decided to change to Adidas for the simple fact they were able to sponsor us with a few more things – for our players in practice and more product for games,” Caviglia said. “It’s important we give our players the best that is out there.”

Scrimmage Saturday – Fresno City will hold its annual red/white scrimmage at 6 p.m. Saturday at Ratcliffe Stadium. It’s open to the public.

This story was originally published August 19, 2016 at 7:26 PM with the headline "Fresno City’s Walter Segal hoping to make impact on defensive line."