UPLAND, Calif. – As Joe Mathis approaches the line of scrimmage, his routine begins. It's like clockwork. The high-profile defensive lineman adjusts his massive shoulder pads first and buckles his chin strap shortly thereafter. He gnaws on his mouthpiece next before digging in his oversized cleats firmly into the turf and setting up in a customary three-point stance.
Upland defensive lineman Joe Mathis
has eight sacks on the season.
File photo by Carlo Montalbo
The 6-foot-5, 250-pound senior from
Upland proceeds to shoot a rather menacing glance toward multiple offensive linemen from Silverado (Victorville) standing in front him. And after some choice words are exchanged, a little trash talk, Mathis is fully prepared both physically and mentally for the ball to be snapped and the battle in the trenches to ensue.
"You have to be ready for anything, and everything, that's why I stick to my game plan and do my best to intimidate the guy across from me. I try to get into his head,'' Mathis said. "You have to do that, I think, because once play starts, there's no turning back.''
He is immediately met by the tackle, as well as the guard, each determined to keep him at bay. Clashing helmets with the center pulling from the middle in an effort to help block does not deter him. Mathis achieves his ultimate goal, the quarterback sack, which has become a specialty for Mathis this season.
He had three of them in this one, a 34-3 nonleague win, and has eight on the season among his 34 tackles for the 5-0 Highlanders. Momentum-changing plays and sacks are a big reason why Mathis is ranked the No. 16 defensive end in the country by CBS/MaxPreps recruiting expert Tom Lemming and why blocking schemes are so geared to slow him down.
"I know I have a target on my back," said Mathis, whose team is ranked No. 8 in the most recent Southern California Top 25 Football Rankings. "When I step on the field, the other team is going to do whatever it takes to stop me. I'm used to the attention though."
He will be the focus of Rancho Cucamonga (4-1) on Friday in a Baseline League showdown against the Scots (5-0), ranked No. 37 in the Golden State in the MaxPreps Freeman Rankings. The Cougars are a formidable foe, no doubt about it, and are No. 27 in the most recent calculations.
"Rancho Cucamonga knows plenty about Joe," Upland coach Tim Salter said. "We call him Jo Jo, so does every other program in Southern California. I have people from other teams come up to me after games and all they want to talk about is how good of a player he is for us.''
Upland defensive lineman Joe Mathis
leads his team against Rancho
Cucamonga on Friday.
File photo by Carlo Montalbo
Mathis has had at least seven tackles in all but one game this season, a high total considering he starts out on one side of the field. He had three sacks twice, including in a 48-21 win over Windsor (Calif.).
"No. 5 over there, Mathis, he's a really good player,'' Windsor coach Vic Amick said. "He's the kind of kid you must account for at all times when he's on the field. We knew that he was good and we had a game plan to limit his effectiveness. It did not work out well for us, obviously.''
Mathis is not an overnight sensation.
He started as a freshman for Colony (Ontario, Calif.) before transferring to Upland, where college coaches have noted his steady progress. Among those who have offered him scholarships: Alabama, Michigan, Notre Dame and Oklahoma. Closer to home, UCLA and USC have expressed interest.
He plans to make his college choice after the season, instead focusing on what Upland needs to win games, especially against Rancho Cucamonga. Inland Empire bragging rights will be at stake.
"We want to be known as the best team from out here in our region," Mathis said. "There was a lot of talk about Rancho Cucamonga being good this year. And they might be. Better than us? I don't think so. We're going to settle things on the field. That's how I've always done things.
"It doesn't matter if I'm going up against one guy on the line, or a double-team, or a triple-team. If the other team wants to send more players at me, let them. I never back down from a challenge. I'm going to get in someone's face and let them know that I'll be here all day long. I'm a competitive person like that. My job is go out there and take care of business. Nobody is going to stop me."
Upland senior quarterback Nate Romine wouldn't argue with whatever Mathis says.
"I can tell you this, I have to practice against Jo Jo on a daily basis and I'm glad I don't have to see him on Friday nights,'' he said. "He's one of those guys you love having on your side. I know that he makes my job out there a whole lot easier. When he is on the field, it does not matter who he's up against, or how many, he's worth watching."
Sean Ceglinsky has covered prep and college sports in Southern California for the better part of the past 15-plus years. Follow him on twitter: @SeanCeglinsky
