Nebraska Eight Man Football Coaches Association 2023 Hall of Fame Salutes - Matt Kern

My salute to the Nebraska High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame Class of 2023 continues leading up to induction day during the halftime break of the Sertoma 8-Man All-Star Game to be contested Saturday, June 18th at Hastings College. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 PM.

It is my honor to introduce one of the finest QB/DBs in all of 8-Man football history, Matt Kern of North Loup/Scotia.

MATT KERN – NORTH LOUP - SCOTIA H.S.

As a dual-threat quarterback, Matt piloted the Wildcats to the state playoffs three different times in his career while also compiling a 27-4 record that included the school’s first ever postseason win in 1992. Matt’s proudest moment as a player came in his junior campaign, when he led North-Loup Scotia to victory in the 1993 State Championship.

During his prep career, Matt set a state record with 28 interceptions from his safety position while also being chosen All-Conference on 3 occasions, 1st Team All-State 2 times, and was also named the honorary captain of the Class D-1 All-State Team as a senior.

Following graduation, Matt was selected to play in the 1995 Eight-Man All Star Game, and was later named to the Class D1 All-Decade Team for the 1990’s by Huskerland Prep Report. From 1996 to 1999, he went on to become a four-year letter winner in both football and baseball at Dana College where he also majored in education.

After college, Matt became a successful high school teacher and coach in York, Nebraska. The NEMFCA is honored to welcome him into the 2023 Eight Man Football Hall of Fame.

1000 Yard Guy Sez; Matt Kern of North Loup-Scotia, current day successful Girls basketball coach at York, was one of the finest QB/DB/Field Leaders I ever witnessed in 8-Man football. A TWO-time All-State selection at Defensive Back in both the 1993 and 1994 seasons, Kern led his team to a D-1 State Championship by defeating #1 Adams by a whopping 47-6 count. It was the worst whipping ever absorbed by the great Ken Cook. Kern threw just three passes in that rout, but all three were TD completions to 8-Man Hall of Famer Glen Snodgrass covering 19, 35 and 2 yards. He also ran for 99 yards and a score in that sweet win.

I sometimes wonder if fans from that day realize how good Matt Kern was at North Loup/Scotia.

The brilliant Hall of Famer Glen Snodgrass can certainly tell you about the greatness of Mr. Kern.