Three coaches, and 11 players were inducted into the 2022 NEMFCA Eight Man Football Hall of Fame on Saturday, June 18th at Adams Central High School in Hastings, Nebraska.
The hall of fame is presented by the Nebraska Eight-Man Football Coaches Association. Induction ceremonies were held at halftime of the 45th annual Sertoma Eight-Man All-Star Game.
Members of the Class of 2022 include: Players - Michael Bayer (Howells), Casey Bender (Lindsay Holy Family), Steven Dent (Mullen), Mat Eikmeier (Howells), Dan Fox (North Loup-Scotia), Nate Froeschl (Falls City Sacred Heart), Jim Gilbert (Table Rock), Orion Matthies (Overton), Tyler Paulsen (Dodge), Philip Schroer (Lawrence-Nelson), Larry Vlasin (Madrid); Coaches - Steve Borer (Brady), Rod Brummels (Clearwater), and Denis Reese (Loomis).
The purpose of the Hall of Fame is to celebrate the history, growth, and success of Nebraska Eight-Man Football. For more information regarding the hall of fame please contact Bob McEvoy at bmcevoy@ clarkson.esu7.org.
From 2001 to 2004, Steven Dent put together one of the most noteworthy careers in eight man football history.
Following a strong 2002 campaign that ended in the state semi-finals, his assault on the record books as a junior and senior would take the Broncos to consecutive state title games in 2003 and 2004.
During that span, Steven had back-to-back years of nearly 2,500 yards on the ground for Hall of Fame Coach Mike Brown’s run first offense. Those Mullen teams would go on to win the 2003 Class D-2 State Championship and finish as the 2004 Runner-Up.
In Mullen’s 2003 march to the state title, Steven compiled state playoff series (5 games) records in both rushing (1,233) and TD’s (22). He would go on to finish with a school record 7,903 career yards and was selected 1st Team All-District (4x), 1st Team All-State (3x), and named to the All-Class/All-State Team (2x). He was also honored as the D-2 Player of the Year in both the Omaha World Herald and the Lincoln Journal Star (2x).
After graduation, he was chosen to play in the 2005 Eight-Man All Star Game, where he was named that game’s Most Valuable Offensive Player.
After high school, Steven went on to a highly successful career in rodeo and won national titles at both the collegiate and professional levels.
The NEMFCA is honored to welcome him into the Eight Man Hall of Fame Class of 2022.