By Derrick Smith

Most Friday nights in the fall, if you attend a high school football game, you will watch two halves of football with a halftime performance by the marching band. There are times when you may spot a football player also playing an instrument in the halftime show. Matthew Davis is one of those football players that also play in the band. 

“Along with playing football, I am an active member of the Blackwell High School marching band,” he said. “I play my part in the drumline as a tenor drum player. On Friday nights, I play the first half of the game, then I march at halftime with the band, then play the second half.”

Davis is a senior at Blackwell and plays right tackle and defensive end for the football team. He first began playing football when he was five years old. He fell in love with the game and has played it ever since.”

There have been many people that have had some kind of influence on Davis’ life. But he says that there are a few that have made the biggest impact on him, both as a person and an athlete. 

“My biggest role model would have to be my father,” he said. “He has taught me everything I know about football and life. He was a very successful football player in high school and he made the All-State football team in 1988. Another person that has influenced me is my band director, J Wayne Hudson. He has taught me that it is okay to be different.”

Becoming the athlete and band member that he is today has required a lot of hard work from Matthew. He says while the work is tough, it will be worth it. 

“It has taken a lot of sacrifices,” he said. “And also time away from my family. It may be tough at times, but I know that it will be worth it.”

He has enjoyed a lot of memorable moments on the field, but Matthew says that his best is not necessarily a specific event.

“The highlight moment of my career was coming to realize that I am part of something much bigger than just a team of guys, but a band of brothers. We are always there for each other.”