Mathieson dominant for Hixson

Just when every Hixson High football fan thought Clarencio Holmes was all that, Justin Mathieson stepped up to assure there were no lulls in the Wildcats' offensive output.

Holmes was the Times Free Press Player of the Week earlier this year after rushing for more than 200 yards and recording nine tackles.

The diminutive senior running back was at it again Friday in the Wildcats' 55-34 victory over Marion County.

"Clarencio had 160 yards but it looked pedestrian compared to what Justin was doing," Hixson coach Houston White said.

Mathieson earned Player of the Week honors this week by picking up 216 rushing yards and three TDs on just seven attempts, completing all four of his pass attempts for 120 yards and two more scores, kicking three extra points, returning a kickoff 56 yards for another score and forcing two fumbles and getting 10 tackles.

"I guess about the only thing he didn't do was drive the bus," White said. "Justin turned in one of the best high school performances I have ever seen. He missed a couple of extra points or he'd be getting our special teams award this week."

Pardon Mathieson, as his coach did, for missing a couple of PATs.

"I guess a couple of times he was winded from scoring on long runs," White said. "I know a couple of times we were trying to get him water and a chance to catch his breath between the PATs and the kickoffs."

Oh yeah, Mathieson also handles kickoff chores for the Wildcats and he would have been punting as well but they didn't punt once.

"About the only time we're able to get him a rest is on kickoff returns but [Marion County] was onside-kicking or pooching most of their kickoffs so we had our 'hands' team in there for their kickoffs, and Justin is on the 'hands' teams," White said.

According to White, one of the first things Marion County coach Troy Boeck said to him after the game was a commendation on Mathieson's play.

"He said something like that quarterback is a real football player," White recalled.

The kid also is a good quarterback.

"As single-game performances all of our coaches were like 'Wow.' Justin made a big fourth-down run one time and he was carrying two or three guys with him. He made big plays when they needed to be made and he made great reads on the passes. Even though he threw just four, two of them were for touchdowns," White said. "He's so good at managing the game and when we ask him to throw he makes great decisions."

Upcoming Events