Player Profile: Dakota Matthees (2018)
It’s been a good couple of years for Winona football. The Winhawks could have reasonably high expectations during the basketball season this upcoming winter as well. A key cog in both teams is Dakota Matthees.
Matthees, a 6-foot-5 senior, is one of the top multi-sport athletes in the state and is looking forward to what should be a successful senior year in both sports.
“The expectations are high this year,” Matthees said of the upcoming football season. “We lost some good guys but we’ve got a bunch of kids ready to step up and make plays. We’re excited.
“And basketball should be really fun this year. We have a lot of guys coming back. We had a younger team last year and with Both Gach moving away [from Austin], the section feels a little more wide open now than before. They are still a really tough opponent with Duoth [Gach] and Tate [Hebrink]; and Northfield is a good team too. It’ll be tough but we’re excited.”
Matthees spent part of the grassroots season playing with Southeast Minnesota Lightning but later opted to prioritize football and attending various camps throughout the midwest. He’ll play football in college but isn’t yet sure where.
“That’s what I’d like to do,” Matthees said. “I’m still open as to where. Went to Northwestern, NDSU, Northern Iowa and Winona State camps this summer. UNI and Iowa have both shown interest to this point. I’m thinking I’ll probably commit sometime in December. That’s when I’d like to have it narrowed down at least.”