'Young' Matthews growing into QB position for Indians

DAHLONEGA -- As a freshman last season, Zach Matthews was just another running back for Lumpkin County. He was seldom used piling up less than 200 yards rushing while the Indians went a disappointing 2-8 in Region 8-AAAA for a second consecutive year.<br /> <br /> So when the Indians got off to another slow start with two straight losses this season, it looked like more of the same was in store. But injuries and a suspension would force new coach Ty Maxwell to make some changes.<br /> <br /> "We needed someone to step in at quarterback and I always though Zach had the size and ability to be a special player at that position," Maxwell said. "I think it has worked out well so far."<br /> <br /> Most Lumpkin County fans would probably agree. The Indians have gone 4-1 since, including three straight Region 7-AAA victories, which has them sitting atop the region standings.<br /> <br /> The Indians (4-3, 3-0 Region 7-AAA) will put that streak on the line Friday night at The Burial Grounds against a hungry Banks County squad (3-3, 0-2) that is trying to get back in the playoff race after two close losses. <br /> <br /> As for Matthews, it's been been like a duck taking to water. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound sophomore has already rushed for over 1,000 yards with 13 touchdowns, including a 302-yard, four touchdown explosion last week in a critical 34-20 win over Fannin County that nearly earned him the <i>National Bank of Georgia Player of the Week</i> honors last week.<br /> <br /> "He has really started to grow into the position," Maxwell said. "He's big and strong and is getting better with each game. We think he has a chance to be a special player at that position."<br /> <br /> Matthews had never given it much thought to changing positions but when the coaches approached him about taking the reigns of their new option-veer attack, he took the challenge.<br /> <br /> "I knew it would be a big challenge at first. You have to read the defenses more and make sure everyone is in the right spots and make the right decisions with the ball," Matthews said. "I think I'm getting more comfortable now."<br /> <br /> But, Matthews said it hasn't been just the change in positions that has driven the Indians to the top of Region 7-AAA for the moment.<br /> <br /> "One of the guys after one of the early losses stood up and said it was looking a lot like the last couple of years and that he was tired of losing and challenged all of us to step things up," Matthews said. "We all went to the next practice with a little more purpose and the coaches made the practices tougher. That's when the attitudes started to change and you could see the confidence of everyone pick up."<br /> <br /> Maxwell said despite being a sophomore with just five full games at quarterback under his belt, Matthews has already taken on the leadership qualities needed from the quarterback position.<br /> <br /> "We made the switch the week of the Johnson game [a 14-3 win] and I think he was a little tentative about things then," Maxwell said. "But he came out of that game with a better understanding of what we wanted and what he could do. He's gotten better with each game."<br /> <br /> So has the Indians offense. They scored just 29 total points in their first three games. Since then, they're averaging 33.5 points and just under 400-yards rushing a game.<br /> <br /> For the moment, the Indians hold their playoff-fate in their hands. They finish with back-to-back home games against Banks County and Dawson County before what could be a one-game showdown for the region title against West Hall in the regular season finale on the road.<br /> <br /> Even Maxwell admits the thoughts of the possibilities of what could be are hard to suppress.<br /> <br /> "I think we're all excited about what the possibilities are. But we also know that we're not good enough to overlook anyone. We have to take things one game at a time. Right now, that's Banks County," Maxwell said.<br /> <br /> "But, we're playing with a lot of confidence right now and I think that has a lot to do with Zach and hopefully he can continue to improve and gain more experience."