Whenever he’s on the football field, whether he’s on offense or defense Matthew Bell has a constant goal.
“I like to run over people,” Bell said.
Bell plays full back and linebacker for Brownstown Central, and has been involved in the sport since he was nine-years-old.
The senior has played multiple positions throughout his career.
“Position-wise, I started out as an offensive lineman,” Bell said. “I played center. My seventh grade year I got moved to guard and in eighth grade I went to full back. In high school, I’ve played full back, defensive line, middle linebacker and outside linebacker.”
Bell has 24 carries for 139 yards and five touchdowns on offense and a team-high 61 tackles (23 solo) on defense.
He mostly carries the ball in short yardage situations.
“Being a full back is pretty much a glorified lineman,” Bell said. “I don’t get the ball very much, but it’s fun when I do. Being an extra blocker really helps our team.”
Bell is also tied for the most sacks on the team with three, and has five tackles for losses, an interception and fumble recovery.
“As a linebacker, you can blitz,” Bell said. “You can pretty much hit anybody you want.”
In his final season at BCHS, Bell has tried to become more of a leader on the team.
“I’ve tried to pick myself up,” he said. “I am one of those that isn’t really a vocal leader. I try to lead by example. it has been difficult at times, but it has been an eye-opening experience.”
Bell said he will miss the friendships formed on and off the field at BCHS.
“The community is all stuck together,” he said. “ We’re a winning program with a great coach. We’re a bunch of close-knit kids. We stick together through everything.”
This spring, Bell will return to the Braves’ baseball team.
He has played in the outfield the past three years, and got into the pitching rotation his junior season.
“Outfield-wise, I have speed and the ability to read the ball off the bat pretty good,” Bell said. “I probably have one of the longer arms on the team. Pitching-wise, it is more of a focus to stay consistent. Whenever you ahve an off night, you need to figure out something else to work.
“I will probably be playing the same (positions). Coach has talked to me about playing a little bit of first base since I have the ability to stretch and I’m agile.”
Bell said he has played baseball since he was five or six years old.
He wants to help the team bring home a title this upcoming season.
“Expectation-wise, I think we can get a sectional championship,” Bell said. We didn’t lose a lot of players last year, and most of our pitching and starters are returning. We lost some seniors that were a big part of team, but I think we will be fine.”
After high school Bell plans to go to college. He said he would like to play either football or baseball if possible.
“I enjoy it here (in Brownstown),” Bell said. “You get to hang out with your friends a lot. The more time you spend with them, the more you trust them on and off the field.”
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Name: Matthew Bell
High school: Brownstown Central
Parents: Danny and Beth Bell
Siblings: Tanner and Maci Bell
Sports: football 4 years, baseball 4 years, basketball 3 years
Atheltic highlights: regional champions sophomore year, Jackson Bowl champoins junior year
Organizations: Fellowship of Christian Atheltes, Lettermen’s Club, Booster Club
Plans after high school: attend college
Favorite food: steak
Favorite TV show: The Office
Favorite musician: Wiz Khalifa
Favorite movie: Step Brothers
Favorite team: Indiana Hoosiers
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The Brownstown Central High School varsity football coaches have announced awards for Friday’s 33-21 win at Silver Creek.
Earning honors are Caleb Bolligner, Offensive Back MVP; Bruce Spicer, Offensive Line MVP; Jalen Tiemeyer, Defensive Line/Inside Linebacker MVP; Braden Neal Defensive Back/Dime MVP; Seth Borden, Special Teams MVP; Logan Burnside, Scout Team MVP; Matthew Bell, Robbie Branaman, Black Jersey winners.
Brownstown’s junior varsity team defeated Silver Creek 30-16 on Monday. Earning honors are: Justin Howard, Offensive MVP; Justni Brewer, Defensive MVP; Nathan Steinkamp, Special Teams MVP.
The Brownstown freshman team lost to Bedford North Lawrence 26-14 on Saturday.
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