Posted on February 1, 2017.
By Thomas Sellers Jr.
Brighton Cardinals Head Coach Robin Jacobs had one more decision to discuss with his standout athlete Malik Mathews.
In the Brighton High School Library on National Signing Day, the veteran coach asked Mathews did he want the red and white cupcakes symbolizing Cardinal Football. Or did Mathews want his coach to save him a black and gold sweet treat representing his college of choice Harding University.
Mathews was too excited to worry about cupcakes as friends, teammates, coaches and family packed the Library for his signing of his national letter of intent to become a Bison.
Mathews leaves one winning situation to join another powerful program. Harding University under the guidance of Head Coach Paul Simmons went unbeaten during the 2016 regular season.
The Bison won the Great American Conference title of NCAA Division II. After a pair of wins in the playoffs, Harding was defeated by No. 1 Northwest Missouri State.
Mathews’ prep career came to an early end as well in the playoffs against Henry County in a classic overtime contest.
The senior athlete was a huge part of the turnaround at Brighton. After a tough 2014 season, the Cardinals returned to championship form in 2015 sparked by Mathews being used as a running back, slot receiver, kick returner and deep threat.
Family like Mathews’ parents LaRasha and Titus noted their son used his natural gifts of speed and strength to lead the Cardinals in total yards from scrimmage the past 2 years.
