High School Sports

By CLINT BUCKLEY
Staff Writer

It's hard to imagine a better Matthew Tucker.

As a junior, the Chapel Hill running back rushed for 2,297 yards and 28 touchdowns, had three 200-yard games and one 300-yard contest and led the Bulldogs to the second round of the playoffs for second time in as many years.

And to hear Chapel Hill coach Phil Castles talk, it may only be the beginning for Tucker.

"He's more familiar with the plays and that's helped his confidence," he said. "That comes with experience and the playoff games last year were a big deal for him. He understands the system and is able to teach it to other kids."

The mental side of the game isn't the only thing that's improved. Tucker said he and teammate DeKerrian Cooper attended at least four camps over the summer.

"I needed to work on my shakes and get my ankles stronger," Tucker said.

That doesn't surprise Castles one bit.

"He's one of the hardest workers we have," he said. "When he's not carrying the ball, he goes over and conditions on his own. He's one of those yes-sir, no-sir kids and that comes from his strong daddy who raised him right."

Castles is grateful to have a player like Tucker, who can be viewed as a role model for his other players.

"He leads not so much verbally," he said. "He does lead by sprinting every time he runs the ball. The other kids latch on to that."

Tucker is being recruited by several Division I schools and has narrowed his list to Arkansas and TCU, but added he's not close to making a decision.

Before that day comes, the senior will be counted upon to possibly shoulder an even larger role than he did last year with the graduation of quarterback Chris Mass and leading receiver Tony Riley.

"He was a huge part of our offense last year," Castles said. "There's no question he's going to continue to do that for us. Our offensive line is a strength and we intend to use those strengths."

Few running backs changed the complexion of games the way Tucker did as a junior.

In the second week of the season on the road against Palestine Westwood, Tucker rushed for 212 yards in the second half alone to rally his team from a halftime deficit.

Against Canton in the district opener, he ran for 264 yards and four touchdowns. He followed that up with 248 yards and a pair of scores against Brownsboro.

In the regular season finale at Van, two of the area's top rushers -- Tucker and the Vandals' Jermie Calhoun -- shared the spotlight.

Calhoun, in what would ultimately be the final game of high school career, put of 327 all-purpose yards and seven touchdowns. Not to be outdone, Tucker ran for a career-best 308 yards and four scores to keep Chapel Hill in the game.

"He has a different level in the fourth quarter," Castles said. "Our kids have confidence in him and he's got confidence in his teammates. Some running backs get better as they get carries and he's one of those guys.

"It's a rare thing for running backs, but it also distinguishes them from average to good."

And while Tucker, who has always been classified as a north-south, bruising runner, has worked on his agility and what he calls "shakes," the back's mindset hasn't changed.

"That's still the same," he said. "I still want to score as soon as I touch the ball."

Castles knows Tucker has the skill set to do just about anything he wants.

"You know he's going to do well," he said. "He has a good foundation. I'd love to tell you he'll be in the NFL, but I hope he grows up to become a good husband and good daddy to raise good kids."

After racking up nearly 2,300 yards and 28 touchdowns last season, Chapel Hill's Matthew Tucker is looking for even more in 2008.
(Staff Photo By Tom Turner)