For Matt Brown, it was a double dose of good news.

First, he found out that he would start at offensive left tackle for Hilldale this fall. That’s great news for someone who enjoys being on the field as much as possible.

“I figured I would be starting,” Brown said. “I’m one of the bigger guys on the team and I’m able to get a push on other people.”

Then, the 6-foot-4, 240-pound junior Brown, who also starts at weakside defensive end, learned the Hornets would be in the spread offense this season. That added to his excitement.

“The blocking schemes are real easy,” he said. “The plays are easy to learn.”

Brown lines up on both sides of the ball at 7:30 tonight when the Hornets begin the 2010 season at home against Pryor.

“It’s going to be a good game. They’re a physical, strong team,” he said. “They’ll hit you in the mouth if you’re not ready. It’s a challenge for me.”

Brown, though, is ready. He makes each position he plays look easy because of his size, strength and quickness.

Mark Hammons, the Hornets’ offensive line coach, knows this as much as anyone.

“He’s very athletic and strong,” Hammons said. “Matt’s motor never stops and he has a good running technique. All of this comes natural for him. He’s one of those kids who was born to be a football player.”

Some would even say Brown was born to be a defensive end. He will be in his second year in starting at the position and comes off a season in which he earned All-Phoenix honors as a sophomore.

While the fourth-leading tackler with 48 in 2009, the younger brother of former Hilldale standouts and college players Charley and Brent Brown was tied for the team lead in sacks (seven) and tackles for loss (10) and topped the team in quarterback hurries (19).

Wade Couch, in his first year of coaching defensive ends at Hilldale, knew of Matt Brown before he stepped on campus, while still the head coach at Sallisaw Central.

“I asked Chad (Kirkhart, the Hornets’ first-year head coach) if there were any more Browns left on the team,” Couch said. “He said, ‘As a matter of fact, there is one.’ I know of Matt’s pedigree from facing his brother (Charley) when I was an assistant coach at Eufaula. There’s no doubt that Matt makes my job easy.”

Even teammates marvel at Matt Brown’s abilities.

“He’s really improved a lot this year,” senior wide receiver-linebacker Dylan Farley said. “Having that year under his belt, he’s going to be a lot better. He’s also a lot more confident about himself. He’s really a good friend of mine and he’s earning what he gets right now.”

Brown’s future looks bright and he seems destined to play college football.

“I’m sure a few colleges are going to be interested, but they’ll have to wait a year,” Hammons said.

For now, Matt Brown is more interested in starting on offense and defense for the Hornets.

Hilldale at Pryor

First meeting.

Notes: Hilldale has won seven of its last eight season openers...Chad Kirkhart is Hilldale’s 10th head coach since starting its varsity program in 1980. Four of the previous nine won their debut game with the Hornets.