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Heldreth suits up one last time

By JIM CUNNINGHAM/Staff

Matthew Heldreth will be suiting up one more time tomorrow night.
After leading the Rural Retreat High School football team to a thrilling ’07 season back in December, Heldreth graduated this spring.
But the all-state quarterback is heading back to the gridiron Friday night in the Virginia High School League’s annual all-star games.
The all-star games are held the entire week in Hampton. Heldreth has been in Hampton since Monday, going through a familiar two-practices-a day syndrome.
Speaking by phone on Tuesday after a morning practice, Heldreth admitted that he might have been slightly rusty after the first practice or two. But it didn’t take long to get back on track.
“I’ve got my rhythm going now.” He said that while the practices can be strenuous, the most difficult part has been practicing in intense heat. “It’s been 98 and 100 degrees here.”
Even though it’s been awhile since the ’07 football season, Heldreth was still in good shape because he played a long and strenuous soccer season this past spring. He also played on the basketball team.
In addition to playing on the soccer and basketball teams, he has also played on the baseball and track teams.
Heldreth noted that the West Team has plenty of talent, but he said his East Team can get the job done as well. One of the big differences he has noticed is that most of the players at Hampton “are a lot faster and a lot bigger” than what he’s used to seeing in the Hogoheegee District.
There is one other Hogoheegee District player there (Zac Jessee of Lebanon) and Heldreth has had the chance to meet many of the players from the teams across the state.
Heldreth’s parents and others will be there for the game Friday night.
Although Heldreth played four years on the RRHS varsity football team (three of them as a starter) as a quarterback, he was chosen to the team as a defensive back. Which is just fine with him.
He can’t wait to play the game one more time. He said among the things he’ll miss most about high school football, is going through “all the hype” prior to the game and “all the emotion” when the game is finally played.
Heldreth said he is not sure if he will try to play for Virginia Tech as a walk-on, but he is sure he will attend Tech this fall and major in dairy science.
RRHS Head Football Coach Quinton Hensley has been down in Hampton (actually he brought Heldreth with him) since Sunday because he attends a coaches’ clinic during the week and also gets to watch some of the all-star games. Of course watching the all-star football game Friday is tops on his list with Heldreth on the team. “I’m looking forward to see him play.”
Hensley said Heldreth’s play was a big factor in the team’s success over the past four years. And he kept learning how to do things better. “He got better every year…He probably played his best game on his last game.”
The coach was referring to Heldreth’s excellent performance in the Group A state semifinal game on Dec. 1. Heldreth completed 10 of his 19 passes for 143 yards. He led the team in rushing with 132 yards, which included one rushing touchdown. He also passed for another TD, but the Indians were defeated by J.I. Burton.
Hensley said the statistics from Heldreth’s career give an indication of what he meant to the team. Among other things, Heldreth set new school records in passes completed, passing yardage, TD passes, yards by a quarterback, etc. “He made us look good,” said the coach.