Santa Clarita Christian senior Jacob Moss appreciated that even though MaxPreps designated him solely as a punter on its Small Schools All-American first team defense, the popular high school sports site did list his gaudy receiving stats.
Really, MaxPreps, which released the honors earlier this week, could’ve provided Moss’ stats from just about any position on the field.
MORE: Record-breaking Moss always wanted to be a Cardinal
He played receiver. He played running back. He played fullback. He never threw a ball, but the Cardinals did use him in a wildcat package.
That’s just on offense.
Moss also played outside linebacker, corner and safety.
On special teams, he returned kicks and punts, covered kicks, held for the place kicker and punted.
Got all that?
“It was pretty cool being able to say I was an All-American in high school — that I got to represent for our school,” said Moss, who also starts on the SCCS basketball team.
Moss became SCCS’s all-time leader in catches and receiving TDs this season, a year in which he caught 112 passes for 1,601 yards and 14 touchdowns.
He saved his best for last, catching 20 balls for 381 yards in a 61-47 loss to South El Monte in the CIF-Southern Section Division 13 quarterfinals.
Finishing that game alongside teammate and friend Tyler Kalinske is what Moss said he’ll remember most from a memorable 2016.
As for the future, he has been in contact with the University of Montana, an NCAA Football Championship Subdivision.
The Grizzlies run a heady offensive system similar to the Cardinals, Moss said.
“It wouldn’t be very hard to pick up because I know most of the concepts,” Moss said. “… It would be a pretty good fit for me because they use a lot of slot receivers like me, guys my size.”
Moss fit in everywhere for SCCS this year.
He rushed 59 times for 429 yards and six touchdowns.
He totaled 2,617 all-purpose yards.
On defense, he intercepted six passes and made 48 tackles.
He averaged more than 44 yards per punt.
He leaves big shoes to fill at multiple positions.
