Years from now, Matt Kine can look back on his football days at Granite Bay High School and swell with pride.
For one night anyway, he was the most prolific all-purpose back in school history with a record that may stand a good while.
Kine's school-record 348 total yards last Friday powered the Grizzlies past Roseville in a Sierra Foothill League game. Kine helped transform a 21-21 tie into a 70-28 Granite Bay rout with 187 rushing yards and four touchdowns. He is The Bee's Prep Football Player of the Week in voting by fans and followers on sacbee.com/preps.
And should the topic of player positions come up with his father, David, and grandfather, Joe, Kine can one-up them both on title alone. His pops and grandpops were running backs in high school who played in college at Sacramento State and Colorado State, respectively.
Running back? Almost sounds boring.
Kine can say he was a flyback, meaning he did a bit of everything as the man in motion in the fly offense, ready to take handoffs or scoot downfield for receptions. The senior also plays on kickoff and special teams with an eager attitude to contribute.
"I'm trying to help our team any way I can – rushing, receiving, special teams," Kine said. "I love the role."
Kine said the Roseville showing was good medicine for the Grizzlies after tough losses to league rivals Del Oro (27-21 in overtime) and Rocklin (14-7). Granite Bay (6-2) is 1-2 in SFL play with two regular-season games remaining before the playoffs.
"We expected a lot this year, to go unbeaten, and to lose those two opening games in league was hard, and it's really inspired us," said Kine, who carries a 3.75 grade-point average and hopes to play at UC Davis next season. "We're a changed team."
What hasn't changed at Granite Bay is the impact of the flyback under coach Ernie Cooper. Kine broke the all-purpose mark of 346 yards set by Ryan Kirby in 2001. Other top Grizzlies flybacks over the years include Adam Jennings and Sammie Stroughter (both of whom reached the NFL), Devon Wylie (a key wide receiver at Fresno State) and Peyton Thompson (a defensive starter at San Jose State).
"Matt had an amazing game the other night," Cooper said. "Matt's been very good for us."
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