Matt Hilborn pulls off a web gem. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)
Matt Hilborn often reminded me of Wiley Hesselgrave.
The pair crossed paths at Coupeville High School very briefly, with the former playing his freshman season of football as the latter wrapped up his senior campaign.
Other than that they weren’t on the same teams, as Hesselgrave played basketball, while Hilborn opted for baseball.
But both guys, the CHS Class of 2016 one — among the most highly-respected Wolf athletes of the modern era — and the Class of 2019 one, always struck me as being very similar in how they approached their time repping Cow Town.
They were old-school players putting in work during a new-school time frame, dudes who showed up to practice and games with lunchbox seemingly in hand, ready to work.
Neither wasted much time on social media, and neither wasted much time flexing between plays.
Hilborn, like Hesselgrave, let his actions speak louder than words, and will be fondly remembered by coaches, teammates, and fans long after moving on to post-high school pursuits.
The oldest of Scott and Wendi’s two sons, Matt was a true four-year star, making an impact on both the Wolf football and baseball programs from his debut to his Senior Night farewells.
A two-way warrior on the gridiron. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)
On the gridiron, he had skills and pop.
Matt could lay a hurtin’ on rivals, flying into the scrum ready to break fools in half, and pop the football free for his squad to recover.
But he was also a huge asset on the offensive side of the ball, as a runner and receiver, or returning kicks.
Having sent an electric jolt through the assembled Wolf faithful, Matt, like Wiley before him, would pop back up, nod (ever so slightly), then move on to the next play.
He didn’t prance around and celebrate tackling a third-string runner late in a game where his team trailed by three touchdowns, like some.
Matt wasn’t big on theatrics, but he was huge on results.
That carried over to the diamond, where he landed on multiple all-league teams while putting in work on the pitching mound and patrolling the infield.
His bat had pop, his legs could generate some speed, and, above all, he was a smart, seemingly self-contained player.
Add in an arm which could rip off some nasty pitches, and the Wolves were blessed during his four-year run.
Hilborn and Mason Grove pose after the duo collided during a mad pursuit for a ball. (Chris Smith photo)
Matt stayed on an even keel, and his team benefited.
It’s possible his insides were churning the whole time, but, from the perspective of those in the stands, he always seemed composed and in control.
Make a huge pitch, deliver a crucial hit, or commit the rare error, and Matt remained in control, exactly what you want from a team leader.
During his time in a Wolf uniform, we exchanged a mere handful of words, most of them when he stopped by my duplex once to deliver food from his mom.
Which is good, since, like Wiley before him, that taciturn personality just added to his old-school legend.
Matt showed up, busted his tail, then tipped his hat and moved on with his life.
Much respect from the stands for that.
And, officially, as of today, Matt gets his rightful induction into the Coupeville Sports Hall o’ Fame.
Which should have come earlier, but I am apparently forgetful.
Recently, as I scanned the list of names nestled under the Legends tab at the top of the blog, I was surprised not to see his name.
Could I have forgotten to give Matt his just due?
Or did I write a story and merely forget to add Matt’s name on the official list between … Wiley Hesselgrave … and Dawson Houston?
Oh, anything is possible, as anyone who has seen my brain misfire over the years can attest.
Today, that changes however.
A Hall o’ Fame story, either the first or the second, and this time, I absolutely, positively have added Hilborn to the roll call.
Putting Matt right where he has always belonged.
Senior Night with the parental units. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)
