There is something about season openers for Cactus wide receiver Matt Eberhardt.
Last year, the junior wide receiver caught a touchdown, returned a punt for a touchdown and rushed for two more against Coconino. On Friday, Eberhardt kicked off his season year with two receiving touchdowns, finding paydirt on a fly sweep and bringing a kick back to the end zone in a 70-49 win over Bradshaw Mountain.
Eberhardt ended his junior year with 16 total touchdowns, so he is well on his way to another productive year for the Cobras. The way Cactus was moving the ball in their season opener, whether it be through the ground or air, or special teams for that matter, where they had the aforementioned kick return as well as a blocked punt in the end zone, they will be a tough team to slow down in 4A.
And it all starts with Eberhardt, whose top priority is making sure this Cactus team builds off their 8-3 2015 season.
“I want to go deep in the playoffs. That’s our goal since January. We’ve been working really hard this year, so I can’t wait.”
Neither can the Cobra-faithful.