DALLAS -- Matthew Stafford's autographed jersey hangs in the hallway in the football stadium at Highland Park High school. And his picture still sits in his coach's office.
"He's made Highland Park very proud of him because of the way he has played in the pros and the way he handled himself. I am very proud," Highland Park coach Randy Allen said.
In 2005 Matthew Stafford led Highland Park to its first state championship in nearly 50 years. The score: 59-0.
"When he was a senior, coaches would come by from colleges and watch him throw the football," Coach Allen told News 8.
In one game he threw for 425 yards, completing 75 percent of his passes.
Coach Allen calls Stafford the best player he's coached in his 40-year career.
"He would throw the ball with such velocity it would make a noise in the air. You could hear it spinning," he said.
Stafford went on to play for the University of Georgia and then in 2009 became the NFL's number one overall draft pick and the Detroit Lions' starting quarterback.
Coach Allen says he's not surprised by Stafford's success.
"As a 7th and 8th grader he threw the ball so well and so far that people anticipated he would be a great high school football player and a great college player."
And those who know him say Stafford is more than an NFL athlete.
"Matthew has great character. Number one, he's honest, hard-working and had a lot of integrity," Allen says.
The last time he and the Detroit Lions came to town, they came from behind to beat the Cowboys. Even his former coach says a win by Stafford's team this time is unlikely.
"I think the Cowboys are playing better football right now, but I think the Cowboys will win," Allen said.
