By Ken Hansard
Caney Valley High School football player and student-athlete Ben Matthews spoke to VYPE SPORTS in a recent interview.
VYPE SPORTS: What are your personal goals for the year?
Matthews: My personal goals coming into the season were to get as many receiving yards as I could, to become a better blocking tight end, and to become a leader for my teammates.
VYPE SPORTS: What is your favorite athletic memory?
Matthews: My favorite athletic memory is my sophomore year when we were in the playoffs. We made it to the second round to play Council Grove. We were predicted to lose that game, but we ended up winning to move on to the third round of playoffs. I had three sacks in that game, along with a few very big catches. One of my best friends, Jackson, was our running back, and he had a great game also. It was a very special moment for our team.
VYPE SPORTS: What teammate has left the biggest impression on you and why?
Matthews: A teammate that left a big impression on me was my best friend, Jackson. We pushed each other every day in the weightroom. We made each other better as players and people. Another teammate who has had a big impact is Xavier Gaston. He always worked his tail off to get better. Those types of teammates around you make you want to do the same thing.
VYPE SPORTS: What is your favorite part of being on this team?
Matthews: My favorite part of being on this team is how close we all are. It truly is more than a team; it’s a family. The coaches are more than just coaches but are also amazing leaders, helping to teach boys to become men. Coach Davis is like a second father to me. All the coaches are great people in general. I will always love everyone on this team because of how close we really are. Being a part of something that is much more than a team is my favorite part of being on the team.
VYPE SPORTS: What clubs or campus groups are you involved with and why?
Matthews: The main group I am involved in is a Men’s Bible Study group. A few of my teammates wanted to start a group where we can study the Word to become better men of Christ, so we came together to form this group to hopefully lead each other in the right direction.
VYPE SPORTS: What has your sport taught you that you use in your daily life?
Matthews: I’ve learned to persevere through life’s ups and downs. Football has taught me to be disciplined even when I don’t want to be. It has also helped me learn to work with others in uncertain situations.
VYPE SPORTS: What is the best advice that anyone has given you?
Matthews: The best advice I have received is this: don’t wait for bad things to happen; take charge and make something good happen.
VYPE SPORTS: Who inspires you and why?
Matthews: Jesus Christ inspires me. He inspires me because of his love for everyone -no matter what. His ability to forgive people and bring light to those who need it inspires me.
VYPE SPORTS: Here is your chance to give a shoutout or say thank you to anyone you wish.
Matthews: I want to shout out to both my mom and dad. Thanks for always supporting me, no matter what. I also want to thank them for doing whatever they can to try and make my dreams successful. I really couldn’t do anything without them.
