Hart’s Quarterback Factory Is Set to Prime Latest Model

Let the competition begin for the most visible, decorated starting position in high school football in the region: Quarterback at Hart High.

The streak for producing All-Southern Section quarterbacks at Hart will soon reach 14 consecutive seasons once Kyle Boller is honored.

Starting in February, Hart coaches will begin the process of identifying the next teenager expected to guide the region’s most successful passing attack.

The two candidates are sophomore Kyle Matter and junior Travis Nicol. Whoever wins the job will suddenly become a household name in the Santa Clarita Valley and beyond.

Expectations have risen substantially after what Boller and David Neill accomplished the last two seasons.

“Boller has raised the bar for everyone,” Matter said. “We have to live up to him.”

Boller set a state record with 4,841 yards passing and 59 touchdowns. The Hart quarterback the previous year, Neill, was one of the nation’s top collegiate passers this fall at Nevada.

Almost every year, Hart coaches receive phone calls from parents inquiring about their quarterback sons transferring to the Newhall campus. The Indians don’t need more quarterbacks because their program is stocked.

Matter, who’s 6 feet 2 and scored a 1370 on a practice SAT as a freshman, led Hart’s sophomore team to a 10-0 record and passed for more than 2,200 yards. He could be 6-4 by his senior season. Besides having the same first name as Boller, he has displayed excellent poise and learning skills.

“He sits in the pocket well and has a good arm,” offensive coordinator Dean Herrington said.

Nicol, Boller’s backup on the varsity, is 6-2 with three years of high school experience.

“His biggest thing is he’s mobile and has had the experience of watching Kyle [Boller],” Herrington said.

Nicol said he learned from Boller the rewards of hard work.

“Hard work pays off,” Nicol said. “He [Boller] knew what he was going to do before he even stepped on the field.”

The competition between Matter and Nicol could be similar to what occurred two summers ago, when a talented but inexperienced Boller competed with a more physically ready Neill.

Matter and Nicol are playing basketball, but they’ll begin throwing in February, compete in spring ball and then play in more than 50 summer passing games.

“Right now, they’re even,” Herrington said. “It’s just like Neill and Boller were even two years ago.”

Herrington said a starter could be chosen right after spring practice or early in the summer season because “the starter needs to get most of the reps.”

“It’s exciting,” Matter said. “I’m sure I’ll be pretty nervous if I win out, but it will be a good battle.”