#34 Matt Szkalak
Grade: Senior
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 216
Position: TE/LB
Experience: Varsity 2
Hometown: Lake Forest
Last School: Dana Point Christian
Matt leads the team with 91 tackles. Szkalak enjoyed another outstanding game against Alemany at the senior picked up 12 tackles and ½ sacks. It was his 13th career ten-tackle game and ninth in a row. Matt collected 13 tackles and a fumble recovery vs. Bishop Amat to help lead the Eagles to an important win. At Rancho Bernardo, Matt picked up a team-high 13 tackles and ½ sack. Matt had his best game ever as an Eagle picking up 15 tackles and returning his first two career interceptions 19 yards vs. San Clemente. Szkalak collected 13 tackles against Dana Hills in Week 3, 11 tackles at Carlsbad and 13 tackles against Lincoln in Week 1 including ½ sacks and a fumble recovery.
Player of the Game
San Clemente - Defensive Skill
RB - Defensive Line
1998: Matt started the season at middle linebacker and collected 87 total tackles. Szkalak was leading the team in unassisted tackles when he switched to the defensive line where he played particularly well in the second half of the season. Szkalak collected 10 tackles against Woodbridge in the CIF Championship Game after picking up a career-high 12 tackles against Irvine to continue his outstanding string of games since Week 9 after moving from linebacker to the defensive line. Matt registered 15 tackles, 0.5 sacks and broke up a pass at Aliso Niguel and also had 13 tackles against Woodbridge in Week 10. Szkalak caught his only two passes of the season at Newport Harbor for 24 yards. Matt did not play at San Clemente or against Rancho Bernardo, but saw action at TE vs. El Toro and CdM while he recovered from a nagging injury. Szkalak got off to a great start last year as he picked up 12 tackles and broke up a pass at Dana Hills and posting nine tackles at LB and received a 75% grade for his efforts at TE vs. Carlsbad. In Week 1, Matt had a great game against Dominguez recording 11 tackles in his first varsity start and helped limit the Dons to 192 yards and 11 first downs. On the year Matt totaled 87 tackles - 4th best on the team.
1997: Matt rushed for 17 yards on three carries with a long of 10 yards vs. Irvine as a sophomore.
Misc: Szkalak has 177 tackles in his career - 8th best in Eagle history. Matt was named to the All-Sea View League Team in 1998. Szkalak is a gifted young athlete who bench presses 315, runs a 4.70 40, and has posted a 4.26 pro-agility time. Matt is a two-time War Eagle who has tremendous potential. Matt is one of the Eagles' Division I-A prospects.
STATISTICS
40: 4.7
Pro Agility: 4.26
Bench: 315
Squat: 390
Power Cleans: 265
Clubs: War Eagle
