Matz, Eckert named to first team in Rock Valley North
By Dan Truttschel
Correspondent
Eight members of the East Troy High School football team recently were named to All-Rock Valley Conference North Division squads.
Leading the way for the Trojans are two first-team selections, senior quarterback Brandon Matz and senior receiver Sam Eckert.
Selected to the second team were junior Charlie Kutschenreuter, at both wide receiver and defensive back; junior Josh Grenzia, at both offensive line and linebacker; and junior Mitchell Sullivan at defensive back.
Honorable mention picks were Cody Studt, Nick Biersack and Zach Lamb.
Matz, a first-team pick a year ago, put up some gaudy numbers in 2013.
For the year, he completed 153 of 235 passing attempts for 2,357 yards and 29 touchdowns – and that was in just seven games, as he missed two because of a sprained ankle.
“He had a tremendous year,” East Troy coach Eric Sulik said. “I think hands down, he was the best quarterback in the conference and one of the better ones in the state.”
Matz, who was a unanimous pick, completed almost 70 percent of his passing attempts, which was another sign of the strong year he had, Sulik said.
“He broke all kinds of school records, is a real good kid and is looking to try play somewhere at the next level,” Sulik said.
Twice in 2013, Matz passed for more than 500 yards in a game, which at any level is impressive, Sulik said.
“We almost got used to 300-yard games,” he said. “You would be doing cartwheels for most kids (who did that). Three times, he threw for five touchdowns or more.
“I saw him buy time in the pocket that I’ve never seen out of a high school football player in 15 years. I think it’s insane he wasn’t an all-state football player. If he’s not all state, I won’t ever coach one at East Troy.”
One of Matz’s favorite targets was Eckert, who finished the year with 47 receptions for 743 yards and 12 touchdowns.
“He definitely was a solid receiver for us,” Sulik said. “He was a threat that the (opposition) had to contain. His ability opened up other receivers.
“We had four receivers that went over 400 yards or more this year. I think that’s a tribute to all those kids, but it’s also Brandon’s ability to not just look for Sam. I thought Sam was a pretty good talent.”
Others earn honors
As a wide receiver, Kutschenreuter was third on the team with 22 receptions for 515 yards and six touchdowns. Studt was second behind Eckert with 46 catches for 680 yards and five touchdowns.
Kutschenreuter’s numbers would have been even better but he played two games at quarterback in place of Matz.
“Combined, he really had an all-around, pretty strong season,” Sulik said. “At defensive back, he was like our quarterback back there. He can honestly line up and play just about any position on the field.
“He’s one of the most intelligent football players I’ve ever coached. He’s probably an even better person than he is a football player. He’s just a hard-working kid.”
Grenzia was one of the team’s most valuable players, Sulik said.
“He wasn’t throwing up a bunch of stats, but his ability to play multiple spots on defense, and as an offensive lineman, he would always draw a tough matchup,” Sulik said.
“He more than held his own. He never hurt us. He’s just a solid football player. He’s not 6-foot-4, 270 pounds, he’s like 5-8, 220, but just a solid kid and a good teammate. He showed a lot of leadership this season.”
Sullivan found himself matched up with the opposition’s best receiver most nights, and more than held his own, Sulik said.
“He just quietly did his job,” Sulik said. “He was a solid defensive player. When teams passed, I thought our defense was pretty good, and he was a big part of that.”
Lamb led the rushing crops with 127 attempts for 629 yards and nine touchdowns.
While the Trojans must replace several talented seniors in 2014, with as many juniors on the all-conference list and several sophomores who contributed to the varsity, the future looks bright.
“We have a lot coming back,” Sulik said. “Every year, you have kids that you lose, but that’s kind of the fun part. You have to figure out ways to replace them.
“If the (returning) players really buy into what we’re doing in the off season, we could make a big step up. (Finishing) 4-5 was a huge disappointment of us this year. I thought we under-achieved, but I hope the kids learned some lessons this season and can learn from it.”
