Presbyterian Medical Services Athlete of the Week 11/5/2024 Bryle Matthews: The Relentless Leader of Kirtland Central Broncos
Photos by Charles Cook
The Presbyterian Medical Services Athlete of the Week honors a young man who embodies true grit, determination, and a relentless spirit. Senior running back Bryle Matthews of Kirtland Central Broncos is more than just a football player—he is a leader, a motivator, and a testament to what perseverance can achieve. Though the Broncos finished the season at 2-8, Bryle never stopped inspiring his teammates to keep fighting until the very end. His journey to the gridiron, however, almost never began.
It all started late July, just before Bryle’s freshman year, when Coach Josh Adair saw something special in the young athlete. Bryle was a big freshman, already weighing in at 175 pounds, and Coach Adair had noticed his speed during a relay race. “You have to get him on the field, Dad; he’s going to be a special player,” Coach Adair said to Bryle’s father, Tom. With some encouragement, Bryle decided to attend one practice—and that was all it took. Days later, he was out on the field, and he hasn’t missed a practice since.
Bryle’s impact was immediate. As a freshman, he was the only one on the varsity squad, earning a starting spot at tight end by game one and backing up at middle linebacker. By game three, when Coach Adair called for a running back, Bryle didn’t hesitate. Though he hadn’t played running back since fifth grade, he stepped up and delivered, rushing for 40 yards and scoring two touchdowns. Later that season, when the starting running back was injured, Bryle rushed for 138 yards and five touchdowns—an impressive start to what would become an illustrious high school career.
Fast forward to today, Bryle stands at 6’0″, 230 pounds—a powerful force on the field. Over the years, he has grown into a versatile player, taking on multiple positions and becoming a key figure in the Broncos’ lineup. His dedication has earned him numerous accolades, including MVP honors at the Western New Mexico summer camp, four-time All-Academic Team honors, and two-time First Team All-District recognition (with hopes of a third). He also earned Special Teams District Player of the Year and led the team in touchdowns for three consecutive seasons.
One of Bryle’s most remarkable accomplishments is becoming the only player in Kirtland Central history to earn over 1,000 return yards in both kick and punt returns. His versatility doesn’t end there—he played varsity basketball and football as a freshman and served as a team captain for both sports. He has been a three-time captain for the football team and was captain of the basketball team last season.
Bryle’s stats speak volumes about his impact on the field: 1,825 career passing yards with 11 touchdown passes, 1,971 career rushing yards with a 6.2-yard average per carry, and 33 rushing touchdowns. He also caught 51 passes for 571 yards and eight touchdowns, accumulating a staggering 5,283 total yards in his career.
Coach Clary, who has seen Bryle’s journey firsthand, summed it up best: “Bryle’s leadership and work ethic is such a driving force through our entire program. He is a young man you can count on to always perform above and beyond, on and off the field. The way he performed in our last game—on offense, defense, and special teams—was phenomenal.”
Bryle Matthews’ story is one of dedication, resilience, and heart. He may have started his football journey with some hesitation, but he has since proven himself to be an invaluable leader and athlete, leaving an indelible mark on Kirtland Central history. Wherever his path leads next, there is no doubt that Bryle will continue to inspire those around him with the same unyielding spirit that has defined his high school career.
