Lakeshore Elite football: Chase Matthias 'probably the best' in Two Rivers history
TWO RIVERS - Nobody was going to outwork Two Rivers Raiders’ senior Chase Matthias.
The 2023 Lakeshore Elite Football Player of the Year had a motor unlike any other, according to Two Rivers coach Kevin Shillcox.
Matthias also won the same award last season.
Lakeshore Elite is an all-area team comprised of schools from Manitowoc and Sheboygan counties. Players can only be on the list once.
“His competitiveness, athleticism and desire to be the best were some of biggest strengths,” Shillcox said. “That competitive drive, great family and never being satisfied.
Matthias ends his career with 5,991 yards which is seventh best in state history while owning the Raiders career records in scoring (621), rushing yards, caries (692), rushing touchdowns (94), total offense (6,942), total touchdowns (104) and tackles (405).
He also holds single-season records for rushing yards (2,040), rushes (237), rushing touchdowns (31) along with single-game records for rushing yards (407) and rushing touchdowns (six).
Shillcox didn’t hold back his praise for the senior standout.
“One of the best if not probably the best player in school history,” Shillcox said. “He came in really good and left even better.”
Matthias was one of just four players this season in Wisconsin to be named first team all-state by the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association at two different positions, at running back and inside linebacker. He was also named first team by the Associated Press at all-purpose.
“I think I had a good season, one of my best seasons,” Matthias said. “Didn’t have the most yards but I was pretty impactful. I’m thankful for the awards, glad to be recognized because I think I earned it.”
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One thing that stood out to Shillcox is how Matthias never took anything for granted, working his way up the depth chart when he was a freshman and earning his playing time.
“He worked his way through every position,” Shillcox said. “He was third in line and running back and linebacker but it didn’t take long for him to climb the depth chart. He could have played anywhere.”
Matthias’s gifts as a linebacker were obvious without even seeing him.
“When he tackles its like a bomb going off,” Shillcox said. “You look and the guy is down on the ground.”
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He also never let anyone slack; if Matthias was giving his all that was what was expected of his teammates.
“He was a pleasure to have around,” Shillcox said. “When you have talent, it helps but he makes everyone around him better. He made our program better.”
2023 Lakeshore Elite all-area football team
OFFENSE
Quarterback: Justin Klinkner, sr., Two Rivers.
Running back: Brett Shutter, jr., Plymouth; Tyler Rittenhouse, sr. Howards Grove.
Wide receiver: Nolan Girdaukas, sr., Kohler/Lutheran/Christian; Derek Laabs, jr., Manitowoc Lutheran; Harrison Zorn, jr., Kiel.
Tight end: Grant Manz, sr., Kiel.
Offensive line: Ethan Kohlman, sr., Plymouth; Brayden Luedtke, sr., Reedsville; Nick Muten, sr., Kiel; Benjamin Karle, sr., Sheboygan North; Jack Schwarz, sr., New Holstein.
DEFENSE
Defensive line: Max Matthias, so., Two Rivers; Camden Dvorachek, sr., Reedsville; Ryan Koll, sr., Plymouth; Jackson Foster, jr., Cedar Grove-Belgium.
Linebacker: Chase Matthias, sr., Two Rivers; Owen Abler, sr., New Holstein; Connor Mentink, jr., Oostburg.
Defensive back: Adam Backus, sr., Mishicot; Ayden Sebo, sr., Reedsville; Maddox Xiong, sr., Sheboygan South; Ian Lusk, sr., Roncalli.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Kicker: Owen Plate, sr., Plymouth.
Punter: Jovani Aponte, sr., Sheboygan South.
Kick returner: Joe Yurk, sr., Sheboygan South.
Punt returner: Caden Stanzel, sr., Manitowoc Lutheran.
All-purpose: Parker Maney, sr., Reedsville.
HONORABLE MENTION
Cedar Grove-Belgium: Owen Morgan, sr.; Billy Navis, jr.; Joe Schoeder, sr.; Jordan Platner, sr.; Howards Grove: Mason Stoeckigt, jr.; Heath Roethel, sr.; Brody Grunewald, sr.; Kiel: Cade Voelker, jr.; Bryce Gullixon, jr.; Jackson Barts, jr.; Braden Aprill, jr.; Brady Bortz, jr.; Ryan Schad, jr.; Blake Gardner, so.; Kohler/Lutheran/Christian: Max Brietenbach, jr.; Case Konitzer, jr.; Jake Thomas, jr.; Luke Hildebrandt, sr.; Hunter Bugbee, sr.; John Kakuzi, sr.; Manitowoc Lincoln: Julien Bailey, jr.; Lucian Meyer, sr.; Hayden McCredie, jr.; Gavin Lettenberger, sr.; Evan Vogt, sr.; Nikko Saengphaphat, sr.; Kenton Beasley, sr., Manitowoc Lutheran: Malachi Hulse, sr.; Brayden Bennett, sr.; Mishicot: Ben Backus, so.; Jacob Rabitz, sr.; Logan Marshall, sr.; Oostburg: Jayden Bruggink, sr.; Braeden Veldboom, jr.; Reese Arndt, jr.; Kevin VanStelle, sr.; Joey Bruggink, sr.; Aidan Bossler, sr.; Kedan Laganowski, jr.; Ozaukee: Bret Hamm, sr.; Skyler Mills, sr.; Sawyer Kowalkowski, sr.; Austin Lemke, sr.; Plymouth: Grant Luedtke, sr.; Marco Troka, sr.; Edi Mella, sr.; Jackson Neilitz, jr.; Grant Thome, jr.; Jordan Schmitt, sr.; Kayden Schultz, so.; Random Lake: Nicholas Daggett, sr.; Holten Golke, jr.; Tyler Schoneman, sr.; Reedsville: Adler Strenn, sr.; Logan Maertz, jr.; Brayden Steinke, jr.; Logan Lodel, sr.; Roncalli: Sawyer Van Drisse, so.; Cody Staudinger, so.; Sheboygan Falls: Brady Schneider, sr.; Ryan Ballantine, sr.; Sheboygan North: Evan Nikson, jr.; Don Hamilton, sr.; Vince Nienhuis, jr.; Jett Beninghaus, jr.; Benjamin Basler, jr.; Gavin Seefeldt, sr.; Sheboygan South: Aidan Nienhuis, sr.; Ryan Doyle, sr.; Leif Thompson, sr.; Jose Salas Pina, sr.; Gavin Grams, sr.; Two Rivers: Oden Clem, so.; Daniel Karlin, jr.; Derek Klinkner, so.; Christian Pyles, jr.; Alex Johnson, jr.; Koby Reed, sr.; Ashton Peterson, sr.; Valders: Kyle Hove, sr.
Contact Tom Dombeck at 920-686-2965 or tdombeck@htrnews.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @Tom_Dombeck.
This article originally appeared on Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter: Lakeshore Elite football: Two Rivers' Chase Matthias leads 2023 team
