The Evansville Memorial High two-sport athlete prefers being in the middle of all the action.
However, dealing with some adversity has given him a new prospective on life.
"Missing time is tough because you want to be out there competing with your teammates and contributing to a successful season for the team," explained Fisher. "After having to spend time on the sideline with the injury, I have learned to not take any opportunities to play for granted.
"The greatest impact is the drive it gave me to work hard to build my strength back up and return stronger. This drive has stuck with me in the work I put into getting better and stronger every day."
After a small fracture in his right elbow cut short his football season last fall, the 6-foot-3, 205-pound quarterback was still determined to help in some capacity.
"My injury during football season last year was frustrating," recalled Fisher. "Even though it was a very small fracture, the healing process for a full recovery was time and rest, which caused me to miss the remainder of our season at quarterback.
"Even after the injury and throughout the rehab process, I was still part of the team and was there every day as a captain and teammate. It was really frustrating for me to be there and not be able to get on the field and contribute, but my coaches and teammates were very supportive in pushing me forward and finding ways for me to contribute from the sideline. I was fortunate to be able to get back out there and be the punter during the post-season."
Back at the controls of the Tigers' offense, Fisher has done his part to help Evansville Memorial rise to the top of the Class 3A standings.
In addition to being 58-of-88 for 862 yards with 13 touchdowns and no interceptions, he has also carried the ball 13 times for 121 yards and four scores.
He was at his best in a 41-13 triumph over rival and No. 6 (Class 3A) Evansville Mater Dei on September 13 by going 15-of-18 for a career-high 289 yards with four touchdowns and running four times for 51 yards with another score.
What made this performance even more satisfying for him was the fact he suffered his injury against Mater Dei a year ago.
"My preparation for any game is huge for me," Fisher said. "I love getting out there and competing in any high-pressure scenario. It allows me to be confident in myself when I go out there in high stress and pressure situations."
Since getting an opportunity to contribute as a freshman, he has proved to be difference maker by completing 229-of-334 attempts for 2,812 yards with 23 touchdowns and just 10 interceptions.
"I take my preparation pretty seriously," explained Fisher. "I am very routine-oriented, so I have a pretty set routine for each week leading up to a football game. From watching film throughout the week to physically getting my body loose and ready to go for Friday nights. There are a lot of things that go into getting myself ready to go out and compete every Friday night."
Going back to his youth, sports played a huge part in his upbringing.
"I have played sports from as early as I could remember," Fisher recalled. "I have always loved playing and watching sports. I remember waking up in the morning when I was three years old and turning on (ESPN) SportsCenter. Sports have always been a big part of my life and has brought me so many memories from a young age."
He also credits his mom and dad for this ongoing passion.
"I'd say my biggest influences have been both of my parents," Fisher said. "To see what they sacrifice for me and my siblings on a daily basis is pretty amazing. They have instilled so many great values in my sisters and myself as well. I could not imagine where I would be without their support and influence."
Evansville Memorial football boss John Hurley has had a huge influence as well.
"Playing for Coach Hurley has been hugely impactful in so many aspects of my life," Fisher said. "He is obviously a great football coach and has made a huge impact on me as a football player, but the impact and lessons he has taught me as a person is pretty special. I think I could speak for a lot of players that you are really well prepared for the real world after playing in his program."
The long time Tigers' leader has praise for signal caller as well.
"Matthew Fisher is a tremendous leader for our school," explained Hurley. "He is a highly-rated baseball pitcher and quarterback for Memorial High School. Matthew is an old soul, who is very mature for an 18-year-old. He demonstrated these qualities back in seventh grade when he was a ballboy. He communicated with me directly to get arrival times and to share his schedule as well.
"Fish is the type of athlete we want representing our school, both on and off the field. He exemplifies high character. Matthew sustained a season-ending injury last year, but continued to support the team by attending practice daily. He eventually regained the ability to punt, but was unable to throw with his right arm. Matthew did complete a left-handed screen pass in the Class 4A second-round sectional game at Jasper on third-and-12 play for a first down."
The gridiron is not the only place Fisher has excelled.
His contributions on the baseball diamond earned him a scholarship to compete at Indiana University.
Fully recovered, he proved to be one cool customer on the pitching mound this past spring where he helped the Tigers reach the Final Four in Class 3A before losing 6-5 to eventual state runner-up Brebeuf Jesuit in the semistate title game.
"Through my full recovery and with the strength I gained in the off-season, I feel I had a strong season contributing to a Final Four finish in the state tournament," Fisher said. "That as well as a full summer of pitching has given me lots of opportunity to continue to develop and prepare for my senior high school season and beyond."
Using his talents in both sports, though, has resulted in some obstacles at times.
"I would say one of the toughest challenges with playing both football and baseball is the summer," explained Fisher. "It is always a real challenge balancing the summer football workouts with summer baseball. I think it is also a challenge at times balancing the throwing workload in both sports as well while playing quarterback. However, Coach Hurley has been really good about allowing me to be able to make both of them work.
"Training varies in some aspects, but a lot of it is very similar, especially being a quarterback. Most of my training focuses on getting bigger, faster, and stronger. There are a few differences with the two as far as conditioning and the mechanics of the baseball and football throw, but overall, they are similar."
Competing at a high level in two sports can be demanding, but he has managed to find some time for some other activities as well.
"It is tough at times for sure, but I think it is super important to find things to do outside of sports as well," explained Fisher. "Balancing the two is tough, but for me, I am fortunate to have a lot of my friends involved in sports as well. So, it kind of allows us to just hang out and not have to worry about sports all the time."
Before heading off to Bloomington next fall, he has some things he would like to accomplish.
"Enjoying my last year of high school with my friends and making the most of two opportunities to compete for a state championship in both football and baseball," Fisher said. "Personally. I am focused on getting stronger and further developing as a pitcher to put myself in a position to compete early for opportunity at IU.
"Once high school is finished in the spring, I am excited to have the opportunity to continue playing baseball at IU and expect to go to Bloomington in the summer to begin workouts and take a couple classes."
The next step on Fisher's mission takes place on September 20 when Evansville Memorial (4-0) travels to Evansville Harrison (0-4).
