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The national and California leader in rushing as a senior while playing as a combo of quarterback/running back ... selected second-team All-America ... took snaps in the shotgun formation, making direct runs from that position ... averaged just under 300 yards per game as a senior, tallying 3,396 yards and 44 touchdowns while also leading the state in scoring ... fi rst-team All-State ... his rushing total was a Central Section record ... threw for 851 yards and 11 touchdowns ... had fi ve games of 300 yards or more, including a season high 415 yards against South ... had 374 yards twice (vs. Ridgeview and Centennial) ... averaged 41 yards on his eight kickoff returns ... originally raised in Tehachapi, moved to Bakersfi eld to face tougher competition athletically with his adopted brother ... led the Vikings to a CIF championship in 2005, rushing for 1,104 yards and 18 touchdowns ... also played linebacker for West ...recruited by Colorado and Arizona State ... Pat Hill: "Ryan Mathews is a special football player. He was as dominating as player in the state last year. He was simply unstoppable. He runs very hard. He's a punishing runner who can wear down a defense."
