As a junior, Matt Seiwert knew what it was like to cross the goal line with the ball in his hand. Seiwert rumbled for 306 yards and seven touchdowns that season.
However, the former fullback traded in the glory for the betterment of his team. Seiwert, at 6-2, 255 pounds, switched to offensive line for his senior season.
Doing so, Seiwert helped his Cardinal team rush for more than 5,500 yards and claim the Class 3A state championship last fall.
“It didn’t bother me too much making the switch,” Seiwert said. “They needed me to play the line because I was one of the bigger guys on the team. It doesn’t matter who scores the touchdowns as long as it’s my team. As long as we win the game, that’s all that matters.”
Seiwert’s talent and work ethic made for an easy transition. His play on the line helped the Cardinals post 52.6 points per game and finish the season with a 13-1 record.
“He started out as a running back and linebacker,” Conway Springs head coach Matt Biehler said. “There was no hesitation about switching, because he’s that type of kid. He’s a leader. He just wanted to play football.”
Seiwert also shined on defense, helping Conway Springs keep opponents to only 9.7 points per outing.
As a defensive lineman, Seiwert recorded 56 tackles and two sacks during his senior season.
“With his size and the type of player he was, he garnered a lot of attention,” Biehler said. “Other teams had to account for where he was.”
Matt grew up knowing about the strong tradition of Conway Springs football, following in the footsteps of his brothers, Keith Seiwert and Darrin Seiwert.
“He comes from a long line of older brothers who played for us,” Biehler said. “So he was always around, looking forward to his opportunity.”
Keith played at Butler County Community College and Darrin was named to the Shrine Bowl in 2005 and went on to play at Kansas State University.
“I was in the sixth grade when (Darrin) played in the Shrine Bowl,” Matt said. “It was a great game atmosphere. I always wanted to play in it when I got older.”
Matt not only will be following in Darrin’s footsteps by playing in the Shrine Bowl, he also is starting his career with the Wildcats. He has already started attending K-State and attending workouts.
“I’ve wanted to go to K-State my whole life,” Matt said. “I knew I wanted to play at K-State.”
Matt, who is working at defensive tackle, said he is ready to work and learn from legendary coach Bill Snyder.
“It’s great to play for them,” Matt said. “Everyone has so much respect for him. The whole team is like one big family.”
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