Posted 12:49 am Tuesday, February 10, 2009
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Tucker Named 3A Top Player
VALLEY RANCH -- Matthew Tucker, Chapel Hill's standout running back, was named the Built Ford Tough Class 3A Texas High School Player of the Year, the Ford Motor Company and the Dallas Cowboys announced Monday.
Joining Tucker were Plano running back Rex Burkhead (Class 5A), Lake Travis quarterback Garrett Gilbert (Class 4A), Muleshoe quarterback/free safety Wes Wood, Roscoe quarterback/cornerback Jacob Villanueva (Class 1A) and San Antonio Christian wide receiver Cheston Goudge (private).
Chapel Hill football coach Phil Castles said Tucker would always get going when the Bulldogs needed him most.
He cited the Bulldogs' game with Bullard.
Chapel Hill had an 8-7 lead at halftime before Tucker took over. His 350 second-half yards gave him 431 (including five touchdowns) for the night, leading the Bulldogs to a 66-28 victory.
Chapel Hill had an 8-7 lead at halftime before Tucker took over. His 350 second-half yards gave him 431 (including five touchdowns) for the night, leading the Bulldogs to a 66-28 victory.
Also against Kaufman, Tucker, who has signed to play at TCU, took control again. His 321 yards rushing and five scores have Chapel Hill score a 52-30 victory.
Tucker finished the year with 2,709 yards and 31 touchdowns on 271 carries in 11 games. He added another scored on a punt return.
Proud owner of a 3.0 grade point average, Tucker is active in the local chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He is also active in his church.
"Matthew is extremely humble," Castles said. "No matter how much success he enjoys, he continues to work at the same, extremely high level. I can't remember him missing even a single drill at a practice session. He clearly leads by example.
"Could he get by on his natural gifts? Absolutely. But that's not his style. He's full-speed all the time."
