You've heard of the different offensive and defensive positions that high school football players line-up in.
Well, did you know there's a northeast Nebraska individual who has played them all during his Winside eight-man career?
Meet Matt Gubbels, a senior leader for the Winside Wildcats who have won four straight now sitting 4-1 on the season. He first picked up football in third grade where it was tackle football in Winside. He first started at running back before transitioning into a fullback, tight end and linebacker all the time in high school.
Gubbels said the coaches know he is listening and eager to be on the field.
"Freshman year, they told me we're going to put you in a lot of spots and this year they told me they're going to put me in a lot more spots," said Gubbels.
Gubbels listed his most recent positions.
"I started at fullback, I've gotten some snaps at running back but most of my snaps have been tight end," said Gubbels. "I had to fill in at guard last year until I got injured and this year I've played center for a game and quarterback in that same game. On defense, the coaches have bumped me down to nose tackle multiple times and end, corner to fill in and played safety a couple of times."
Gubbels is mainly the starting linebacker for Winside.
When playing multiple positions, you have to know where to be on the field. Gubbels gives credit to his coaches on keeping him prepared.
"I just keep track of what coach is talking about when he's talking to other positions," Gubbels added. "Knowing that if they're wrong, I can tell them and try to help them and also trying to help myself remember what they do in that situation."
The Winside senior enjoys all the positions but mainly likes tight end on offensive and even though he enjoys playing defensive end, he has to go with his linebacker role.
In special teams, Gubbels is the long snapper for punt while also remaining on the field for kickoff return and kickoff with the only breaks in-between quarters, halftime and final.
Following a 54-0 game one loss at Archangels Catholic in Humphrey on August 29, Winside has won four straight while outcoring their opponents 217-120.
In their most recent game on Sept. 26 from Walthill, the visiting Wildcats raced out to a quick start winning 72-40.
Senior Matthew Gubbels finished with four solo stops and had an interception.
He leads the team with 33 tackles (28 solo) averaging 6.6 tackles per game.
He also has a team-high 14 receptions for 238 yards and three receiving touchdowns (second on team).
Practice has been much better over the past month as Gubbels mentioned the team will need to continue to remain focused.
"We need to watch our opponents to make sure we know what they're going to do," Gubbels mentioned. "I think this is a great team and we'll shock people...our pass game is one of the best I've seen in a while in eight-man. Our teammates just know what they're doing and our seniors this year have been outstanding."
Winside has qualified for the playoffs 17 times including five consecutive years. The Wildcats will be in search of their first postseason victory since 2010.
Their goal is to secure a home playoff game.
Winside has played two of their previous four games in the afternoon with 3 p.m. kickoffs as Gubbels prefers to play under the lights.
Winside will have back-to-back challenging games hosting Bancroft-Rosalie on Friday, October 3 at 7 p.m. and visiting Wynot on Friday, October 10 at 7 p.m. Both teams are currently 4-1.
The Wildcats will close the regular season hosting Randolph on Friday, October 17 at 7 p.m.
