Rice has looked super
He may not wear a giant “S” on his chest, but senior Matt Rice fits the role of Superman in many other ways for the Bonners Ferry football team.
The do-almost-everything senior sees most of his time on offense at tight end, but frequently moves out to wide receiver. Rice, also the backup quarterback, has even been known to kick a long field goal or two – his 48-yarder this season is just a yard shy of the school record.
On defense, he’s a juggernaut at linebacker, averaging about 10 tackles per contest.
Rice said all that is great, but unless the “S” helps the Badgers get a “W,” what difference does it make?
“We have a pretty strong team this year,” said Rice of his squad which has endured its share of beatings in a tough non-league schedule. “I think we’re still improving right now – we played Sandpoint two weeks ago and we didn’t come out prepared like we should have.
“They were definitely a better, faster team than us, but I think we could have played with them a little better – it really helped us know where we’re at and know how well we can play against tougher teams like we’re going to face at state.”
Obstacles such as Priest River on Friday and a visit from Timberlake next week will have to be overcome.
Rice remains confident.
“We definitely have the goal of going undefeated in league,” said Rice, a two-time, all-IML selection who has scored a pair of touchdowns this year and averages almost 14 yards per catch.Rice said he wants to compete at the next level and that he has received some looks from Division-I schools.
“Last spring, BSU came up and looked at some of us,” Rice said. “They were interested in me, but not as a receiver – they said tight end or even at linebacker.
“So I started playing linebacker this year, and I like it a lot – there’s a lot more freedom to move around the field and hit people.”
Badgers coach Caleb Arceneaux said he thinks Rice has what it takes to succeed in college ball – and also likes that he’s added 20 pounds of muscle over the last year.
“He’s our go-to guy on both sides of the ball and he’s a very intelligent player,” Arceneaux said. “He has a desire to play college ball, and, physically, I think he has the gifts – this year is the first year where he’s actually been dominant on both offense and defense.”
“Obviously, he’s shooting for as high as he can get – Idaho’s talked to him a little bit, too, and Boise State coming up and looking at a small-town kid was a pretty big deal for us.”