Horizon High head coach Steve Casey said he was shocked today when he learned of rivals.com’s report that quarterback Ryan Stanford and running back Matt Jones had committed to North Dakota State. He had yet to talk to both of them, although that will be coming later this afternoon at the Scottsdale, Ariz., school. (Update, Dom just talked to the quarterback, who said both he and Jones are solid commits).

The 5-10, 200-pound Jones, a 1,000-yard rusher last year, has an offer from Air Force and Colorado invited him to Boulder last year for its Junior Day. NDSU is Stanford’s only offer, although he went to camps at San Diego State and Utah. He’ll leave Horizon holding every school passing record, breaking some marks set by Dax Crum, who while at Wyoming played against the Bison two years ago.

“First of all, North Dakota State is not only getting two good football players, they’re getting great young men,” Casey said.

AzProspects.com has Jones ranked the No. 3 running back in the state and Stanford as the fourth-best quarterback. Through four games, Jones has 55 carries for 497 yards (9.0 yds per carry). Stanford completed 47 of 84 passes for 715 yds. He has 11 touchdown passes with only one interception.

Stanford was 203 of 383 passing last year and has thrown for over 5,000 yards in his career. Meanwhile, if anybody can get Fox TV Arizona somewhere, give us a review of tonight’s game, this from the school’s website:

Watch our
Huskies on TV
Fox Sports Arizona

HHS vs Mesa HS
Thursday,
September 30, 2010
HHS vs Mesa HS
7:00 pm