BY NEXT SPRING, Matt Smalley hopes to convince Father Judge High's track coach to let him concentrate on the 100-meter dash.
We know one thing: This kid's pretty darn impressive over 92 yards. In football equipment.
Smalley is a 5-10, 170-pound senior and Friday night, in a non-league opener against host Northeast, he imposed his will in several manners as the Crusaders claimed a 45-19 win.
It all began right away, too. Smalley returned the opening kickoff for a 92-yard touchdown.
"I was saying right before the kickoff, 'I'm gonna make a play. I'm gonna do it,' " Smalley said. "Not out loud. I was keeping it to myself. I figured I would show everyone else."
That wasn't the first time . . .
"When I played weight ball for the Oxford Circle Raiders, I was a running back and safety," Smalley said. "Didn't do returns at all. But when I came to Judge, playing JV as a freshman, the coaches saw my speed and decided to try me out on returns."
Notice the plural. Yes, Smalley also runs back punts and, in this one, his 54-yard return helped set up a 30-yard, third-quarter field goal, hammered by soph Connor Foley, that provided a 38-13 lead.
Earlier, from scrimmage, he'd scampered 26 yards for a score. Also, he played defense all night at left cornerback.
"I always had input on special teams," Smalley said, "but now I'm getting to show more. I can help us [from scrimmage].
"On kick returns, you have time to make the catch and see what's going on, try to pick your holes. On punt returns, the ball's much higher and the defensive guys are often right there. You have to just catch it and go; get what you can.
"I really depend on my partner back there, Tim Mills, on punts. He's really good at calling the shots. I always follow what he says."
Raul Quinones produced two rushing scores for Judge while posting 89 yards on 19 carries. He also caught a 37-yard TD pass from Rob Daniels (4-for-11, 132). Connor Donohoe added a pick six of 63 yards.
For Northeast, speedster supreme LaQuille Nesbitt made an 80-yard TD reception from Harold Alexander (4-for-7, 137, two TDs), but experienced the agony of losing two more long scores - 83 kickoff, 79 punt - because of infractions.
Smalley, who lives near Roosevelt Boulevard and Ramona, enjoys major track moments, indoors and out, in sprints, relays and jumps. Tennessee, Penn State and Lafayette are among the schools that are sniffing.
"Hopefully, I'll be able to do both sports in college," he said. "I'm guessing more interest will come for track. If I get a scholarship in that, I'm hoping to stay with football as a walk-on."
Let's make that a dash-on.
