To say Hayden Matheson has a passion for football may be an understatement.
The Prince George product has worked tirelessly in the last number of years to perfect his game for a chance to perform at the highest level possible.
This week, he unlocked what is likely the biggest achievement of his young career thus far by signing a letter of intent to play for the Kamloops Broncos of the BC Football Conference (BCFC).
“It feels great to finally play at a higher level in the sport that I love,” said Matheson to PrinceGeorgeMatters.
“I’ve worked so hard to get an opportunity like this. I can’t wait to get started.”
Matheson has seen recent success at the high-school level as football continues to be a popular sport in Prince George in the last decade.
The 17-year-old was part of the 2019 northern AA conference championship-winning College Heights Cougars, prevailing 20-14 over the Nechako Valley Vikings.
He was also named a 2019 BC Provincial All-Star and got to play in BC Place with the best-of-the-best before scouts and coaches.
The COVID-19 pandemic cancelled a 2020 season and right now, the possibility of a junior ‘A’ football in 2021 remains on hold.
Regardless, Matheson already has big hopes for the Kamloops’ orange and blue after finishing with a winless 0-10 record in its last full season in 2019.
“I chose the Broncos because I believe that Coach Vanky is building a culture I want to be apart of,” he explained.
“I do not know when or if this season will begin, but if we are fortunate enough to get one, I speak for all of us on this team when I say we want to win a championship.”
While he’s open to play anywhere that’s needed, Matheson hopes to solidify a linebacker position with his new club after he graduates College Heights Secondary in June.
The school’s reigning defensive player of the year aims to use his experience on the field, his off-season training and time with Prince George’s local seven-on-seven league to bolster Kamloops’ roster.
“I love leading the defense and making big plays all over the field,” he said.
“My idol Luke Kuechly was the middle linebacker for my favourite NFL team, the Carolina Panthers, and he was the reason I played football. He was always prepared and gave everything he had on every single play. Sadly he retired, but I hope to be like him one day on the field.”
The BCFC is a member of the Canadian Junior Football League (CJFL), which has produced several successful university, college and professional athletes.
Its six teams include Kamloops, Okanagan Sun, Valley Huskers, Langley Rams, Westshore Rebels and three-time national-champion Vancouver Island Raiders.
Matheson is the Broncos’ fourth signee of 2021 and plans to study at Thompson Rivers University (TRU).
He also joins fellow Prince George athletes, Aman Bansall and Reif Petrovicky, who signed their letters of intent for Kamloops a year ago.
