2006 All Star West
Matt Payment
Defensive Line
6’4″ 275
High School Coach: Brandon Bruce
High School: Newberry, C
College: Michigan Tech
Matt played peewee football in the fifth through eighth grades. He went right to varsity football as a freshman, where he started as a defensive tackle and saw extensive time as an offensive tackle. He than served as team captain for the next three years and helped lead his team to their first and three straight playoff appearances, and a run to the state semi-finals in his junior year. He was voted as the team MVP lineman three straight seasons, leading tackler and defensive and team MVP in his senior season. He set a school career record for total tackles. He also set records for games played and total wins.
Matt also played on the varsity basketball team for four years and was a four-year letterman in track. Matt served as class president for three years and student council president as a junior and senior. Matt finished with a 3.8 GPA, and was a member of the National Honor Society, Natural Helpers, HOSTS, St. Gregory’s Church youth group and was a trumpet player in the band for four years.
Matt thanked his dad, “for all the lessons in football from fifth grade to my senior year.” He also thanked his parents, “for all the unconditional support and love they have shown.” His sisters and Grandpa Payment were thanked, “for traveling to most of my games to cheer me on. For the best four years of football a kid could wish for, I thank the Newberry football coaching staff, especially Brandon Bruce, Jeff Puckett, Bruce Dake and Fred Bryant.
Awards
Straits Area Conference, 1st Team Offensive and Defensive Tackle, 03, 04 & 05
Straits Area Conference Defensive Player of the Year, 2004 and 2005
All U.P. Dream Team, Defensive Tackle, 2004 and 2005
U.P. Defensive Player of the Year, 2005
All State 1st Team Defensive Lineman, Detroit Free Press, 2004 and 2005