Wells provides last second winning TD

The 6' 2", 205 pound athlete out of Lawrence County entered the 2009 season without his tagmate and Army All-American selection, Kendrick Hardy, but that had no bearing on Friday night's contest with Jackson Callaway.

Lawrence County was down it's last play and were basically in a hail marry situation from the 17 yard line. The QB heaved the ball to the endzone and Matthew Wells jumped up over the defenders and came down with the ball for the winning score (27-26). The sidelines went wild, but the 4-Star RB looked as if it were just another day in the park.

"I expect to make those plays," added Wells. "That is you are supposed to do when you are a senior; make the big play. Our team needed me in that situation, and I came through."

Not a bad way to kick off your senior campaign but Matthew knew his game had gone up a notch from the offseason.

"Our offensive line came together better, which is big. I am now a senior so I have to be a team leader. I am becoming a better leader. I do not like to do a lot of talking, but I am keeping the team together. I have been working on my cuts and routes and blocking a little bit more. I feel like all three of those areas have really improved."

And what about that winning TD catch again?

"I just focused in on the ball and made a play. The defender kind of jumped ahead of time, and I just went up and got it. There was no way nobody else was coming down with that ball than me."

But it is at running back where most invision the Dandy Dozen star to play on the next level and in the second quarter the fans got a glimpse why as Wells zig zagged his way through the Callaway defenders for a 57 yard TD run.

Wells has set some lofty but reachable senior goals.

"I want to get at least 5 interfecptions on defense. I got four last year so I want to do at least one better. It all depends on how many times they throw the ball my way. I also want to rush for over 2,000 yards this year and 30 TD's. I had 29 TD's last year so I want to do one or more better."

Wells scholarship list is not as impressive as his talent as Ole Miss, MSU, USM, Stanford, and Tennessee have offeres so far but another program continues to show a great deal amount of interest.

"LSU is still keeping in touch with me and sending me stuff."

Matthew has had the Dogs and Rebs out in front of the pack for quite some time now; anything changed? "No sir, all of them are kind of tight right now, MSU, Tennessee, and Ole Miss but I am kind of looking at those the most right now."

What has Tennessee done to move up the pecking order?

"They just send me a lot of hand written letters from all of their coaches.. They are really recruiting me hard. I have been watching them on TV a lot, and they seem to be getting coached up pretty good. They have a lot of players going to the NFL too, and I am taking a hard look at how successful each program is in getting their players to the league."

What about Ole Miss?

"They are sending a lot of players to the league too, and you know you are going to get coached up with their staff. I like a lot of the players on their team too, and I know I will have a chance to win some championships if I go there."

And MSU?

"Pretty much the same as last time. I just like their coaches. I like their coaches and campus. That is about it, but their coaches seem pretty cool and all. I guess it is the same thing with Ole Miss too. It is about the same with those two."

Any Fall visits on tap?

"I am going to MSU's first game (against Jackson State). There are a few of the MSU games I am going to go got, and there are a few Ole Miss games I am going to go to. I want to see as many games as possible at both of those schools before I make up my mind."

Timeframe on a decision?

"It will come after my season is over."

When it does come decision time; what will be the main factors?

"Once I figure out what I want my major to be, that will come into play. But really, I just want a place where I will play, and be coached up, so I can make it to the next level. I also want a place where I feel at home. I guess those will be the key things."

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Yancy Porter is the Recruiting Analyst for the state of Mississippi and can be reached at
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