No Holes in El Segundo Quarterback’s Game

The number in the interceptions column next to Matt Engle’s name has inspired many nicknames in sports vernacular: goose egg, bagel, zip and zilch among them. But Engle, El Segundo High’s quarterback, prefers doughnut.

Engle’s 1,713 yards passing and 17 touchdowns through five games are enough to warrant a double take, but they are more impressive when you discover he has yet to throw an interception. Engle has completed 116 of 179 passes this season (64.8%) and has a string of 223 attempts without an interception dating to last season. His yardage ranks second in the Southland and no quarterback has thrown for more touchdowns.

Engle credits doughnuts for the doughnut. Every Friday morning, he picks up a couple dozen doughnuts on his way to school and gives them to teammates. The small token of appreciation demonstrates that Engle understands his attention-grabbing statistics wouldn’t be possible without the 10 guys around him. Offensive linemen and receivers get first dibs.

“It’s just a small portion of my gratitude,” Engle said. “The guys who keep me safe on Friday nights and the guys who catch everything I throw out there are just as important to this team as the quarterback. I want them to know that I get that.”

But doughnuts can take a quarterback only so far. El Segundo Coach Steve Shevlin said Engle’s football smarts make him effective.

Shevlin said Engle’s arm strength and athletic ability are on par with many top quarterbacks, but his passion for studying the game and his savvy separate him. Such attributes are rare among high school quarterbacks and especially noteworthy considering Engle is a junior.

“He totally understands what is happening on the field,” Shevlin said. “He studies the film like no one else I’ve seen at this level and he asks questions that are real solid. He understands that nothing will work without the entire team.”

Engle passed for a season-high 453 yards and three touchdowns in a 36-23 Ocean League victory over Torrance last week. He has three 300-yard passing games and has thrown four touchdown passes in a game three times. Statistics, however, do not motivate Engle. He acknowledges that he looks at them, but said if he consciously attempted to pile up big statistics, the team would suffer.

“If you are motivated by trying to throw for 500 yards, you’re not going to have a whole lot of fun,” Engle said. “And to think I’m going to go the whole season without throwing an interception is ridiculous. I just prepare the best I can so that when I’m on the field, I can handle the situation.”

Shevlin calls Engle the best quarterback El Segundo has had--high praise considering 1994 graduate Jack Hawley was a two-year starter at San Diego State and attended the Buffalo Bills’ training camp this year.

Engle’s poise and calm under pressure impress Shevlin the most.

“Last week, they blitzed two or three guys almost every play,” Shevlin said. “But he made it look like everything was moving in slow motion. He knows what’s happening so well that he doesn’t have to think, he just reacts. If he continues to progress, he is going to be a big-time player.”

Engle’s football smarts come from growing up around the game. His father Gene is a longtime offensive line coach at El Camino College and played at Stanford.

“He told me to always respect the whole team,” Matt said. “This is such a team sport. Even if a receiver is a decoy on a play, if that receiver dogs his pattern, then the safety can slack down and cover someone else. Everyone is important on every play.”

Well-mannered, strong in his religious faith, trustworthy and an excellent student, Engle brings off-field qualities that earn respect from teammates.

“He’s everything you would want your quarterback to be,” Shevlin said. “And he’s everything you’d want your son to be.”

El Segundo (3-2, 2-1 in league) has not made the playoffs since 1991 and begins a crucial four-game stretch run tonight against Santa Monica, the top-ranked team in Southern Section Division X. The Eagles will need at least two victories, probably three, to end the playoff drought.

Engle believes they can do it. “We have a legit shot at it,” he said.

But he knows it will mean studying game film, learning the keys to stop the opposing team and perfecting the new plays Shevlin will add to the offense each week.

Not to mention a trip to the corner doughnut shop every Friday.