Only 7.5 percent of high school football players go on to play at the next level. Only 3 percent of players wind up playing in Division 1. It takes a lot of dedication and hard work to get to that level, and one of those hardworking players is senior Matt Sexton.
A Central Michigan commit, Sexton has found himself as a senior leader on the varsity football team. He’s enjoyed his time as a senior so far.
“The best part of being a leader and player on this team is just the brotherhood and relationships we get to have and make,” Sexton said. “It’s also leading the underclassmen and setting the standard for them on and off the field as they get older.”
Sexton’s family has a history of successful athletes, including his father, Dane, a former football player for Western Michigan University. A multi-sport athlete, Sexton has a lot of praise for his first coach.
“I would say it all starts with my dad,” Sexton said. “When I was little, my dad was my coach for basically everything when I was growing up. He made me fall in love with sports, especially football. He and I trained and played catch in the backyard almost every day, and he pushed me to be great.”
Sexton’s love for his coaches goes further than just his father. Not to be forgotten are the football coaches at FHC, from Tim Rogers in the 2023-24 season to current head coach Dave Fortino. Sexton is grateful for the coaches’ work in molding him into a college football player.
“The coaches in high school have developed me into an even better football player,” Sexton said. “I remember my freshman year, I was tall and bigger than everyone else in my grade, but I wasn’t as physical. The coaches pushed and pushed me to keep working and believed I would be a great football player. I would also say they continue to push me harder and harder physically and mentally every day, which has helped me prepare for college coming up.”
The admiration Sexton has for his coaches is mirrored by second-year varsity head coach Dave Fortino, who appreciates Sexton’s versatility as a player.
“Matt is big and strong,” Fortino said. “He has played varsity football for three years, so he is very versatile. He can line up at tight end or fullback and block in the running game, or he can split out, and we can throw him the ball in space. He has great hands and feet for a kid his size.”
Committing to the right college to play a sport is always a tough decision, especially when getting to the higher levels. Sexton reflects on what made CMU stand out to him in the recruiting process.
“I chose CMU because they were the first university to really take a chance on me,” Sexton said. “I chose them because of the relationships I have with the coaches, players, and other recruits. They check in every single week to see how the season is going and how everything is going outside of football. They made CMU feel like home very quickly.”
For an athlete with Division 1 potential, landing at the correct school to play at can be a difficult one. Sexton considers the details of his decision.
“The most difficult part of deciding on a school is finding a coaching staff that doesn’t just care about your athletic ability, but also cares about you and the person you are,” Sexton said. “Ever since CMU offered me, they have shown nothing but respect for me and my family, and that’s why I chose them. I would say another difficult decision was the proximity to home. Central Michigan is only about an hour and 40 minutes away, and that is perfect for me as I am close to home and can see my family often.”
It’s easy to look ahead to the future and what’s ahead, but Sexton is currently looking at his present—his senior season.
“I am mostly looking forward to the memories we make on and off the field in my senior year with my teammates,” Sexton said. “For us seniors, we only have a limited amount of time left, and I don’t want to take it for granted. FHC football has been the best part of my high school experience, and I have made so many relationships and memories over the past 4 years. I want to keep that going and just keep having fun regardless of how our season goes.”
The job of a coach is to help a player grow and develop as a player and a person. Fortino is particularly proud of the progress Sexton has made off the field.
“I have known Matt since he was in elementary school,” Fortino said. “My favorite thing about coaching him is how much he has changed and grown up since his 9th-grade year. He has learned how to work and put the team before his personal goals.”
As he finishes his high school career, Sexton has some simple advice for the future football players at FHC.
“Some advice I would give to future players is just to come into games and practices working the hardest you can,” Sexton said. “There have been a lot of times when I have felt regret for not working my hardest in a practice or game, and I wish I could get those days back. Another thing is just to have fun. Enjoy every little moment you have, whether it’s games, practices, lifts, film, team dinners, etc. Just try to enjoy every single moment, because it goes by so fast.”
