UT commit Brewer ready to kick things off

Connor Brewer has had no problems staying busy over the summer months. Such is the life of one of the nation's elite quarterback prospects.

There was the Nike camp in Los Angeles, the Elite 11 workout at Stanford, a stop at Texas for a mini-camp, The Opening at the Nike campus in Oregon, and then a trip to Malibu for the camp every high school signal caller hopes to attend - the Elite 11.

"It was awesome," Brewer said of the Elite 11. "I got to throw with some of the best quarterbacks in the nation and compete and work with great coaches and be in a great setting at Pepperdine. With all those guys up there it makes you a better player and makes you throw better and try harder. That's definitely probably one of the best experiences I've had at a camp setting. It was a lot of fun. I would go back in a heartbeat."

The four-star Texas commitment received many invaluable opportunities and experiences this summer, but now he is looking forward to putting all that travel and hard work to good use as Scottsdale (Ariz.) Chaparral kicks off its season on Saturday night.

"All these camps are great for a lot of things, but I'm excited to get out there and play the game I love," Brewer said.

However, Brewer and Chaparral do not open with just any game. They begin their march for a third straight state championship in front of a national television audience in a highly anticipated match-up with nationally-ranked Las Vegas (Nev.) Bishop Gorman at University of Phoenix Stadium.

The game pits the No. 7 (Bishop Gorman) and No. 30 (Chaparral) teams in the RivalsHigh 100. The match-up was named the RivalsHigh Game of the Week, and both teams hope to make a case to be named national high school champions.

There is no doubt it is a big game on a big stage, which always gets the adrenaline pumping. It is also the first time Chaparral has faced an out-of-state opponent. More than anything else, it's the start of the season, a season Brewer has been waiting for since he started his first varsity game.

"Playing with guys I've grown up with and played football with for a lot of years - I'm excited to play with my team. I think it's going to be a great year for us," Brewer said. "I just can't wait for Saturday and to get that game on."

Brewer and Chaparral are determined to keep the game in perspective and not get overwhelmed by the match-up. They know they have big goals and Saturday is just the first step in a long process.

After throwing for 2,677 yards and 37 touchdowns as a junior, Brewer once again has his standards set high, but it comes down to more than stats for the nation's No. 4 ranked pro-style quarterback.

"I definitely want to win a state championship and go undefeated and help my team in any way I can. I know if I do my part my stats at the end of the year are going to reflect that," Brewer said. "I'm not spending a lot of time worried about touchdowns or anything. I know what I'm capable of and if I go into each game prepared I'm pretty sure I'll surpass what I had last year and the year before that."

Brewer and Chaparral take on Las Vegas (Nev.) Bishop Gorman on Saturday night at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., in the Barry Sollenberger Kickoff Classic. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. and will be televised on by Fox Sports. In addition to Brewer, who is ranked No. 129 in the Rivals250, the contest also features Rivals250 prospects Ronnie Stanley (No. 149) and Davonte Neal (No. 136).