Elgin offensive line paves way for Lund to roam

Matthew Lund has already made Elgin football history, setting the school rushing record, however, he and his teammates have much higher goals, like reaching the Class 5A State Finals.

Thus far the Owls have been perfect with a 9-0 overall record and a 6-0 District 5A-1 record. Friday the Owls visit Midwest City with the district title up for grabs.

While Elgin is loaded with big hitters, talented linemen on both sides of the ball, and plenty of quality skill players, the offense has been driven by Lund’s running and the play of junior quarterback Tres Lorah.

“Tres throwing the ball loosens defenses up and makes our offense hard to defend,” Lund said. “He is very calm in the huddle; we are all pretty calm. He makes it easy on the mesh point because he knows where we need him to put the ball.”

Then there is Elgin’s big, physical offensive line.

“Our offensive line really makes my job a lot easier,” Lund said. “On that long run (80-yard TD) the play was power left and I just cut it back across the field. Hudson Begley and Keith (Ferguson) were pulling on that and both had good blocks. That is a great line to run behind. They are very unified and there is competition among them.”

Lund said that competition can be seen every Saturday when they show up for video review and see their grades.

“Those linemen love seeing that (grading) sheet on Saturday,” Lund said. “They had 16 pancake blocks against Mac and I think all of them graded more than 90. They are a fun bunch to have blocking for you.”

Lund has skills as well, mainly quickness and strength, even more of those qualities than one might imagine in a 6-0, 180-pounder.

“I think most of my strength came from just running in football and track,” the senior said. “I don’t mind running over guys.”

He gives dad Jason Lund credit for the speed.

“My speed probably came from my dad,” he said. “Dad was a swimmer and wrestler at Eisenhower and he was good at both.”

Last week Lund rushed for 155 yards on 15 carries and two rushing touchdowns. He also caught a TD pass early in the third quarter and then was pulled with the Owls in total control.

“I think it was important in the first quarter that we put two TDs on the board going against the wind,” Lund said. “That got things rolling and after that we just made a bunch of big plays.”

Now the Owls go for the perfect regular season Friday at Midwest City, which handed the Owls a stunning loss at home last season.

“I know that the team and our community definitely didn’t want it to go down like it did last season,” Lund said. “Losing to Midwest City and then Guthrie in the playoffs was tough on everyone. This is the one we have been looking for. They (Bombers) beat Mac pretty good, so we have to be ready. They are fast, but not really a physical team. They have given up a lot of points.

“This is an important game and we are playing at their field. But we have played in tough places before. We are pretty composed because we’ve been through a lot together. We are ready for this next challenge.”

While numerous members of this senior group, including Lund, will get a chance to play college football, they are also working hard in the classroom to be ready for that next step in their football careers.

“Hopefully I will get a chance to play in college,” Lund said. “Right now Tarleton and NSU (Northeastern Oklahoma State University) are my only two offers but numerous others have been contacting me. Usually more colleges come out during the playoffs so I expect we may all get more interest if we keep winning.”

This semester Lund is getting his college credits started, taking concurrent classes in English Comp I, US History and American Popular Music.

“I am really enjoying Comp,” he said. “We are writing essays and I enjoy that. My favorite was about the time I split my finger in half a couple years ago. I didn’t get too gory because I wanted a good grade.”

Beyond football and college, he expects to come back home.

“I want to major in business and come back here and start a business or become an entrepreneur,” Lund said. “This is a great town to grow up in and I want to end up back here at some point.”

One reason to come home is to dine on mom Krystal’s pepper steak.

“It has green peppers in it and a little spice, but not too much,” he said with a big smile. “Just a little is all I need.”

Lund has a large cheering section with mom, dad, three brothers and two sisters making up their family.

“They don’t always get to watch me in person because they are spread around,” he added. “One sister is in the Air Force medical system so it’s hard for her to get here for games.”

Now there is a chance that Lund and the Owls might just be practicing on Thanksgiving.

“That’s what every high school team in Oklahoma wants; to practice on Thanksgiving because that means we’re still in the playoffs,” he said.

While the Owls have some talented players, Lund gives much of the credit for this team’s success to the coaching staff led by Head Coach Chalmer Wyatt.

“These coaches are awesome; I don’t think we could have gotten any better coaching staff,” Lund said. “They are all really smart and understand the game. They have set a standard here and they will keep that going.

“They are always so positive and their message is average is not good enough. They want us to always be at our best and will do whatever it takes to help us reach our goals.”

That next goal means beating Midwest City to finish a 10-0 perfect regular season and set the stage for a deep playoff run.