Prolific Saguaro 2017 RB Stone Matthews Releases Highlight Reel

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

There is really little left for Class of 2017 running back Stone Matthews to prove on the gridiron. Saguaro High School’s standout has helped the Sabercats win back-to-back state titles and has rushed for over 2,100 yards in a season against top Arizona talent. The last thing on his checklist is forcing college recruiters to recognize his overall abilities.

The bias against Matthews is real, not perceived. The high school, college, and NFL game has a long list of “undersized” running backs who have shredded the competition at every stopping point along the way. On any given Sunday in 2015, football fans could see 5-6 Darren Sproles light up defenses for the Saints, Jacquizz Rodgers at 5-6 rip defenses for the Atlanta Falcons, and see Doug Martin come into his own blowing past defenders for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at 5-9. Stanford’s All-American all-purpose back, Christian McCaffrey, is listed at what could be a very generous 6-0, 197 pounds, but that did not stop him from becoming a record setting collegiate player in 2015.

If Class of 2016 St. John Bosco tailback Sean McGrew could be a four-star recruit at 5-7, 166 pounds, eventually signing with the Washington Huskies and Bishop Gorman’s Class of 2017 running back Biaggio Ali-Walsh, also seemingly listed at a generous 5-11, 185 pounds, can be a three-star prospect, committed to Cal, then Matthews is deserving of some equal footing as well. McGrew and Ali-Walsh are playmakers but also playmakers benefitting from playing in front of a well pieced together and well-groomed offensive line more times than not squashing opponents not of their equal.

Saguaro has been blessed with amazing next level talent during Matthews tenure but one could argue he has taken a harder path towards being one of the most prolific players in his class.

Matthews’ 2015 season was one of shock and awe. He blew past the competition helping the Sabercats to a 12-2 record carrying the ball 280 times covering 2,155 yards with 24 scores. In addition to his workhorse load toting the ball, he also caught nine passes for 110 yards with two more touchdowns.

Through the first four games of the 2016 season, the roughly 5-9.25, 186 pound, rising star has popped the opposition for 473 yards on 64 carries, average of 16 carriers per, with five scores averaging 118.3 yards per game. He also has helped move the chains in the passing attack with two receptions for 20 yards. The workload in the Saguaro backfield has been split early in the season with junior Max Massingale taking some of the wear and tear off Matthews carrying the rock 48 times for 393 yards.

The Sabercats have played some tough competition downing California squad Serra (Gardena) 35-20 at home, went on the road to defeat a highly regarded Colorado team in Valor Christian 49-28, and then returned to Arizona beating Catalina Foothills 35-0 and Higley 49-15. MaxPreps rates the Sabercats as the No. 2 team in Arizona and the No. 32 team in the nation.

The easy wins for Saguaro may diminish Matthews’ end of the season stat line from a year ago, currently on pace for over 1,600 yards along with 17-18 rushing scores through 14 games, but that should not take away from his evaluation as a next level talent. The senior plays bigger than his size bouncing off first contact in the trenches and lowers a shoulder to bulldoze defensive backs. Matthews previously reported a bench press max of 285, a squat max of 430, and a power clean at 255. His 40-yard dash time is in the low 4.5 range further displaying all the variables next level coaches typically want in a recruit.

Interest has come in from teams like Northwest Missouri State, Montana, Army, and Boise State among others with an offer from Arizona Christian. Given Matthews’ accomplishments against top talent in a big football state, the size bias is there. Sooner or later, college coaches needing a playmaker who can run in between the tackles, take the rock off tackle or on a sweep, and help out in the passing game either out of the backfield or in the slot will realize all the different dimensions Matthews can bring to any kind of collegiate offense.

Click the link to watch Matthews’ four-game senior highlight reel.

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Phot credit: azcentral.com; No. 22 Stone Matthews scores again.