Matthew Hendricks

High School: Dubois H.S., PA
High School Coach: Herman Wertz
LHU Coach: Nick Polk

LHU Awards and Honors:
– 1996 PSAC All-Conference 2nd team
– 1997 PSAC All-Conference 1st team
– 1998 PSAC All-Conference 1st team
– 22 Tackles for Loss is tenth all time in LHU history
– 229 Total Tackles – 141 Solo Tackles – 8.5 Sacks

Matthew Hendricks came to LHU from Dubois High School, where he played football for coach Herm Wertz. Matt experienced great success in the Bald Eagles program, starting 4 years and achieving all-conference status three years straight. Matt was the recipient of the Russ Carman Award for outstanding defensive player for three straight seasons.

Leadership has been an obvious strength for Matt, which became especially evident when his teammates and coaches referred to him as the leader of the defense. Matt also holds the distinction of having many of his fellow DuBois High School football peers follow him to LHU. Most notable is Matt’s younger brother, Jarrod, who became an outstanding offensive lineman for the Bald Eagles.

Coach Chris Sprague describes Matt as a very competitive and driven player – the leader of the defense. He said that Matt spoke little but he backed it all up with his play. Sprague said, “Matt played big in big games. He stepped it up another notch. When Matt played across from offensive lineman Landon Jordan, who was the Arizona Cardinals’ third round draft pick, he had double-digit tackles and he blocked two kicks!”

Coach Sprague went on to say, “He played big when it counted most. He was an old school football player raised by an old school Dad. Hard core, Conrad Doebler type. Matt had bricklayer hands that he got to the breast plate. He ate people up and kept guys off the linebackers. Matt did not rotate out like most players but his play never dipped. He knew everyone’s job. Referred to as the silent enforcer, he played well all the time, but played even bigger in big-time games.”