Henderson Athlete Matthew Childers Picks Up Offer From Missouri State

The word athlete is thrown around a lot in the football recruiting sphere, but Matthew Childers truly is a multi-threat offensive weapon for a Henderson team emerging as one of East Texas' best through four weeks.

Thirteen catches for 127 yards and two touchdowns. Ten carries for 94 yards and a score. Two touchdowns thrown as part of 3-for-3 passing for 74 yards.

Those are numbers Missouri State can get behind. Childers announced Wednesday evening that particular Division I program reached out to him and awarded him his fourth college scholarship opportunity.

Childers (6-5, 185), predominantly a senior receiver on an offense also utilizing TCU commitments Lakendrick VanZandt and Trestan Ebner, has another Division I offer from Alcorn State plus Division II invitations from Northeastern (Oklahoma) State and Southeastern Oklahoma State.

Missouri State, a participant in the Missouri Valley Conference within the FCS level of Division I competition, is off to a 2-0 start ahead of its money game this weekend against Kansas State. It has already surpassed last season's win total by a game.

Kansas State is a large favorite to beat the Bears program this weekend, but the upcoming schedule does not taper off much.

That's one of Missouri State's best selling points.

If Childers ultimately signs with the program, he will have the opportunity to square off against heavy FCS hitters in Illinois State, Northern Iowa, Youngstown State and five-time defending FCS national champion North Dakota State. All of those teams reside within the Missouri Valley Conference.

Missouri State has been somewhat active within East Texas as it works to build its 2017 class. It previously offered Texas High quarterback Cade Pearson and Tatum defensive end and linebacker D'Torian Smith.

Pearson ultimately committed to North Texas and Smith pledged to Air Force.

Grand Saline senior quarterback Trent Easley has an interest in Missouri State. He unofficially visited the school during the summer months.

Henderson (4-0) will begin District 9-4A Division I competition Friday against Chapel Hill (1-3) ahead of traveling to Carthage for potentially one of the most important regional games of the year.

Carthage is currently ranked third in the state within Class 4A at large by the Associated Press. Henderson is ranked eighth in the same poll, which features both Division I and Division II teams.

Childers, like all high school football players currently in their senior year, will become eligible to sign with any program that offers him in February.