Prep football: Vista del Lago’s Matt Long is in midst of a breakout season

Matt Long can do it all.

The Vista del Lago High School junior can play running back, wide receiver and linebacker. He even started his football career as a quarterback.

Long is in the midst of a strong season for the Eagles who are 6-3 and have won five straight games. As a sophomore, he caught 74 passes for 947 yards and 12 touchdowns. This season, he has 888 yards and 16 receiving touchdowns.

John Koett and Long have played together for eight years. They’re best friends on and off the field.

“I have seen John get so much better,” Long said of his quarterback “He has really put his heart into this game. He’s really special. He’s such a good quarterback and I’m lucky to have him. We have built so much trust.”

Long added, “Playing multiple positions when I was younger helped me get used to everything on the field. Getting all those reps helped me play varsity (football). I can be used everywhere they need me, that’s the goal.”

Long’s coach at Vista del Lago has high praise for his star wide receiver. It’s what he does as a leader is what stands out to the coach.

“The best part about Matt is who he is upstairs,” Vista del Lago coach Kyle Landes said. “He’s a fantastic athlete but the fact that he leads his teammates, he’s the most vocal guy in the locker room and wants to do well is clearly the secret to Matt Long. I love the fact that you do whatever he needs him to do. He’s a team guy.”

When Long was called up to varsity last season, he elected to wear No. 10 after wearing No. 3 his entire career. It was a perfect match for Long who idolizes Los Angeles Rams star wide receiver Cooper Kupp, who wears the same number.

Kupp went to Eastern Washington and wasn’t heavily recruited coming out of high school. Long says he is hoping to follow in his path. He currently has over a 3.9 GPA.

“That’s what I try and base my high school experience off of right now,” Long said. “I play for a D3 school right now but I really take loyalty and responsibility (seriously) and try and make the most out of position right now. … I look up to Kupp. I watch him film. I try and learn off of him because I relate to him a lot.”

Brandyn Thompson, owner of DB Select trains Koett and Long during the offseason. He says that Long is an easy kid to root for and won’t be surprised when the school’s come calling for his services.

“Matt is a warrior.” Thompson said. “He’s one of my favorite kids in my program because he’s one of those do it all kids. Never complains. His high school coaches would say the same. He’s a great leader.”

He added, “They have been playing since Pop Warner. The connection was there from day one. … Anyone who has been at one of our training sessions knows that connection has always been natural and it’s organic. They know how to find each other.”