From 2000 to 2003, Mat was a generational player for legendary Coach Mike Speirs. He was only on the losing side of the scoreboard once during the entirety of his high school career (51-1) and in the process, played a major role in 4 consecutive state championships for the Bobcats. As a player, Mat was honored many times over, including: 3-time 1st Team All-District, 3-time 1st Team All-State, he was selected as the Class D-1 player of the Year twice (2002 and 2003). He was also named both 1st Team Super-State and 1st Team All-Nebraska as a senior. On the field, Mat finished his career by setting school records in season yards & TD’s by a QB (1,068/23), TD’s in a game (6), and interceptions made on defense (9). In the summer of 2004, Mat was selected to play in the Nebraska Shrine Bowl and was also named the Most Valuable Offensive Player of the Eight Man All-Star Game. He would later go on to a highly successful college baseball career at University of Nebraska at Omaha. Mat is most proud of the opportunity he had to play with and for all of the talented teammates and coaches that he worked with at Howells H.S. (especially Coach Speirs), and the 11 state football titles that the Eikmeier families of Howells and Dodge accumulated in their cumulative careers. The NEMFCA is honored to now welcome him into the Hall of Fame Class of 2022.