Sandia HS always produces quality teams and hard nosed tough kids. This year appears to be no different. We have already introduced the state to several Sandia athletes this summer like, Cody Williams, Tanner Ireland and Michael Brown. Today we bring you another good one, in QB Matt de la Rosa. Matt had a pretty good 2007 season and is hard at work to improve on his game.
What were your stats/honors from last year?
1007 yards passing, 10 touchdown passes, 10 interceptions, I earned my
second year letter award at our banquet in December.
What is your official height and weight?
5’11” 170 lbs.
What is your greatest football memory?
My first varsity touchdown pass which occurred in a victory over the Santa Fe Demons. It was our first pass play of the game, which came out of play action. I faked the handoff, looked downfield and hit my receiver in stride for a 60 yard touchdown.
What are your goals for the upcoming season?
I yearn to break school record for completions, yards thrown, and touchdowns thrown as I help lead deep into the playoffs.
What are you doing to prepare for this season? Will you attend any camps this season? I have attended two combines this summer. The first was sponsored by Nike and held in Phoenix. The second was the National Underclassmen Combine in Fort Collins, Colorado.
What aspect of your game have you really worked hard on to improve?
I have talked with my position coach as well as our DB coaches about how I can become better at reading coverages as I walk up to the line.
Who are some of your teammates that people need to watch out for next year? Tanner Ireland will be one of our top athletes along with Stanton Buckhanan, Michael Brown, Jordan Cruz, Chris Gutierrez and Chase McDonald.
Name one teammate that you respect the most and why?
Tanner Ireland because he works hard every practice and every game to become the best he can be and help our team achieve goals. He took me under his wing my freshman year and helped me to understand varsity football.
What are your goals as far as playing football in college?
I hope to potentially attend college on an athletic scholarship of some sort.
Who is currently recruiting you? Do you have any early offers?
Currently none.
Would you consider staying in state to play in college?
Absolutely. If a New Mexico school offered a full ride then yes. It depends on the circumstances of course.
What schools would be your top 5 schools?
SDSU. UNM. USC. Arizona. Oregon.
Who is the best player you ever played against and why?
Cibola running back David Vargas because he has a natural ability to hit the hole hard and not stop pumping his legs. Aside from that, he is a great person off the field.
What other sports do you play?
I ran track as a sprinter this past year and threw the javelin.
What are your bench max lifts in the bench, squat, power clean, and 40 time? Bench-225. Squat-305. Power Clean-205. 40 times- 4.77
How do you think your coach would describe you as a player?
My coach would describe me as an assertive player who is becoming a leader among his teammates. He would say that I have great arm strength and a rapidly increasing sense of the game.
What is your strength as a football player?
I am a smart player. I understand football and have the ability to make things happen.
What is your weakness as a football player?
Though I have worked and improved immensely on it, I would have to say my footwork.
Who is your favorite athlete and why?
Lebron James because his outstanding vision of the “field” is one that I myself aspire to achieve for myself.
What is the best piece of advice you have ever gotten? Who did you get it from?
My head coach Kevin Barker told me that as a quarterback I don’t have to win the game, just don’t lose it. That really helped me to make better decisions during parts of games that put more pressure on my position.
Who has been the most influential person in your life and why?
Jesus Christ because he is so important in every aspect of my life. Without him I am nobody.
We would like to thank Matt for his time and wish Matt and all of his Sandia teammates the best of luck next season.
Have a player we should interview? Or do you have a highlight DVD for us to put up on the site? If so email me and we can set it all up:
newmexicoinsider@yahoo.com
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