Riley Matz is on a mission.
Hardin Valley football's quarterback leads a senior class that is desperate for postseason TSSAA football action. The Hawks haven't won a playoff game since they made the Class 6A quarterfinals in 2016. Their last playoff appearance was in 2018.
Matz and the Hardin Valley coaching staff realized the best way to advance past the regular season was to drown opponents in a sea of offense. They did just that in a 48-7 win at Bearden on Sept. 17.
"We're a pretty dang good team in my opinion," Matz told Knox News.
Matz was surgical in the win, throwing for 160 yards and two touchdowns on just 6-of-8 passing. He also rushed for two scores
for Hardin Valley (4-1, 1-1 Region 2-6A). Bearden falls to 0-5, 0-2.
"His knowledge of what we do offensively is about as good as anybody," said Hardin Valley coach Tyler Wynn. "He could coach for us tomorrow. He knows our offense forward and backward by now. That stuff pays off on the field because he's able to do some things and put us in situations to be successful."
Hardin Valley has scored 40 points or more in four of their first five games. The lone outlier was a 35-14 win over Morristown East, and the Hawks still hit the threshold in a 43-40 loss to Bradley Central.
Wynn credits the team's collective experience for the offensive output. Nine of the 11 starters on their depth chart are seniors, though junior running back Levi Amey split carries with senior Ayden Perry.
"We've got a lot of kids that have played a long time," Wynn said. "A lot of those guys played since they were sophomores. They've been in the system and have been able to do it for a few years. And now you're starting to see the dividends of that."
The other starting underclassman is sophomore receiver Jeremiah Brown, who finished with two catches for 78 yards and a touchdown. His mind is already set on the Hawks' Week 6 matchup at Maryville.
"I'm ready for anybody," he said. "We're not scared of any competition. We're going to do what we've got to do, play at a high standard and beat Maryville."
The environment at Maryville would resemble a Class 6A playoff game. Wynn wants his team, though, to treat every game this season as if it's a playoff game to prepare for a postseason appearance.
Matz is ready to aim higher.
"I think it would mean a lot, but I think we really want to win one though," Matz said about winning a playoff game. "The expectation now is to make the playoffs, and we want to win one of those."
Wynton Jackson covers high school sports for Knox News. Email: wynton.jackson@knoxnews.com
Support strong local journalism and unlock premium perks: knoxnews.com/subscribe
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: How QB Riley Matz, Hardin Valley football are overwhelming opponents in sea of offense
