HUMBOLDT — Cole Mathes will take his gridiron talents to Tabor College next year.
The Humboldt High senior — part of the winningest class in HHS history — signed a letter of intent Wednesday to continue his career with the Bluejays.
“It ended up being an easy decision,” Mathes said. “It just felt like the community and coaches truly care about you, and you’re not just another football player.
“It’s where I most felt like home.”
Mathes, son of Cody and Dannette Mathes, has been a standout on the football field pretty much from the day he arrived at Humboldt as a freshman.
“Day in and day out, he was there,” Humboldt head coach Logan Wyrick said. “He was very consistent and showed up in the weight room. He was a super role model for the other guys.”
Mathes was voted team captain as a senior, where he excelled as both a running back and defensive end. He led Humboldt to the Cubs’ third straight regional championship, winning 10 games last fall.
Mathes and the other members of the Class of 2025 were part of a program that racked up 35 wins in their four years, a school record.
Mathes shined on both sides of the ball, earning Tri-Valley League honors as a defensive end and running back. Fourteen of his 51 tackles came behind the line of scrimmage. He tied for the team lead with three sacks and recovered two fumbles.
Offensively, Mathes rushed for 810 yards and eight touchdowns, averaging nearly eight yards per carry. He also hauled in 11 receptions, four of which went for touchdowns. Mathes averaged nearly 13 yards per reception.
MATHES proved to be a game-changer in the backfield, rushing for 810 yards with eight touchdowns, averaging nearly eight yards per carry. He added four more touchdowns on 11 receptions. He averaged nearly 13 yards a catch.
On the defensive side, 14 of his 51 tackles came behind the line of scrimmage, meaning the opponents finished farther away from the end zone than when the ball was snapped. He tied for the team lead with three sacks and recovered two fumbles.
Mathe said he plans to play defense for the Bluejays.
“I’ll get to run like a maniac all over the field,” he laughed. “I love getting to hit people, show my aggressiveness and leave it all on the field.”
MATHES has some unfinished business with his high school athletic career.
He’s gunning for his third straight state wrestling medal this month, and will compete in the Class 3-1A Regionals the weekend of Feb. 22.
