STARTER KOPP WON'T COP OUT.

Byline: Brian Dalziel Daily News Staff Writer

Matt Kopp has a grudge and he can't help it.

A football player at Saugus High, Kopp is practically the smallest on the team at 5-foot-7, 135 pounds.

His position?

He holds two: backup running back and kickoff return specialist.

``I don't think people have much respect for me,'' the senior said. ``They think I'm too small and I can't get the job done. The big thing with me is coming out every day and proving everybody wrong. Being little, I want to prove people wrong.''

The 17-year-old Kopp is certainly small and he's been knocked around the field at times. But his toughness and determination have been an inspiration to everyone from his teammates to the coaching staff.

And tonight at 7 in the first round of the Southern Section Division III playoffs at Arcadia, Kopp gets his second start of the season because starting running back Sean Stoddard is out for the year with an injured knee.

``Matt's a tremendous asset to have, because he doesn't let the team get down,'' said Saugus coach Ron Hilton. ``They'll start to let down and he motivates us. He's constantly yelling at the kids if they're not playing hard. He's the first one to get into them.''

Kopp's numbers aren't impressive - 149 yards rushing on 21 carries and one touchdown. As a receiver, he has five catches for 79 yards. But when he's been called upon, Kopp - a longtime ice hockey player - has used his toughness to get the job done.

Against Hart in the sixth week, Kopp came into the game in the third quarter to fill in for Stoddard, who injured his ankle. Kopp took a screen pass for about 15 yards before he was face to face with 6-2, 170-pound linebacker Jake Halladay, who rattled his cage.

Kopp held on to the ball.

``I got up,'' Kopp said.

Against Canyon the next week, Kopp made his first start at running back. On the first play of the game, he was pounded at the line of scrimmage on a dive and fumbled.

On the next series, Kopp ran 68 yards for a touchdown.

On a kickoff return against Canyon, he was again leveled. But. . .

``You have to hit a lot harder to get to me,'' he said. ``Hey, I'll put by body on the line for anything. If you get hit, you have to get up. I may be the smallest guy on the field, but I'm tough as nails.''

This tough young man almost didn't play football this season.

Kopp played as a freshman and sophomore but felt he wouldn't get much playing time on varsity with Stoddard on the team.

``I didn't want to be an unknown soldier,'' Kopp said. ``I thought the coach wasn't going to play me.''

The decision not to play didn't sit well. Kopp felt he let himself, his family and his teammates down. He felt he was a quitter.

After watching Saugus' home opener last season, Kopp quickly changed his mind about his senior year. Kopp used the off-time during his junior year to work on strengthening his muscles and improving his speed.

He came into double days in August ready to play.

``I never wanted to be a quitter,'' Kopp said. ``So I had to play - for me, my family and teammates. I had to prove something to myself and I didn't want to let anyone down.''

From the looks of this season, Kopp has accomplished his goals.

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PHOTO Saugus backup running back Matt Kopp, who is 5-7 and 135 pounds, will start tonight at Arcadia in the first round of Div. III playoffs.

Gene Blevins/Daily News