Holley leads by filling team’s needs

Richard Brian

Centennial’s Matt Holley (21) runs the ball during a home game against Silverado on Sept. 12.

By Christopher Drexel

Friday, Oct. 3, 2008 | midnight

Jummel Hidrosollo / Special to the Home News

Legacy linebacker Rodney Gilmore, right, takes down Centennial's Matt Holley during a football game at Legacy High School.

Matt Holley has been criticized for his speed since he played youth football.

When it comes to running a 40-yard dash timed with a stop watch, those criticisms are warranted for the Centennial senior. But on the field, it's hard to say a bad thing about Holley's game.

Holley is a do-everything type of player for the Bulldogs. He starts at wide receiver, strong safety, returns kicks and punts and serves as a captain.

"You can come out here and time him in the 40 and he will run a 5.2 and you'll say, 'This kid ain't fast,'" Centennial coach George Baker said. "But if you put a helmet and shoulder pads on him out here and he gets in the open field, you can see that game speed come alive."

Through five games, Holley leads the Bulldogs with 25 catches for 296 yards — the team's second-leading receiver has 55 yards — to go along with four touchdowns. He is second on the team with 192 rushing yards on 22 carries.

Defensively, he leads Centennial with 72 tackles. And he averages 30 yards on eight kickoff returns and 17 yards on six punt returns.

Holley said he used to worry about people criticizing his speed, but not so much any more.

"I've always had to deal with (the slow label) my whole life, but I realize I can keep up with anyone on the field," Holley said. "Just because someone runs the 40 fast or can throw a power ball so many yards doesn't mean they're a player."

Prospective college teams haven't been scared off by any lack of speed. He already has an offer to play for Southern Utah and has been in contact with coaches from Brown, Stanford, UNR and BYU. His 3.5 grade point average will help attract more offers.

"I never really expected to play college football when I was younger," Holley said. "I thought varsity football would be it. It's wide open right now but I'd love to go anywhere. It's everyone's dream, really. Very few kids have the opportunity to play college football."

But before he decides on a school, Holley is intent on getting the Bulldogs into the playoffs. They has been on the bubble of making the postseason each of the last two years, finishing 6-4 each time. And Holley has been there for the frustration as he started both ways as a junior and started as a sophomore at cornerback.

If it's possible, Baker said Holley will be factored into the Bulldogs game plan even more as Centennial's push toward the playoffs continues.

"We need to do some things to get the ball in his hands more in the second part of the season," Baker said. "Matt Holley is an all-around athlete. He can run. He can catch. He can tackle. He can block. The only problem with him is trying to find where to put him on the field to get the best out of him."

Christopher Drexel can be reached at 990-8929 or christopher.drexel@hbcpub.com.