By: Maddie Klein
Starting football in fourth grade to becoming a very important part of Hamilton’s Football program.
“I started playing in 4th grade because my dad thought it was time for me to play something other than soccer.”
When Ben first started, he did not like it but as time went on he started to love it.
“I kind of found out after freshman year that I was actually pretty good at this game and I could possibly make a difference in Hamilton football. This thought runs in the back of my head every day and keeps me going.”
Ben is a senior captain of the football team. He shows leadership and connects with underclassmen. He works with the underclassmen, so they will work together and work hard to be a great team.
“To connect with underclassmen I go to their football games and I interact with them on the sideline.”
He loves football because it brings a bunch of guys together through some physically and mentally tough places and it turns them into a family.
“I don’t think there is any other sport that can bring a group of guys together like that.”
The chemistry the team has made throughout the summer and this season has helped the team’s dynamic improve greatly from years before.
He is a big part of the team. The past couple of years he really started enjoying football and realized that he wanted to keep playing after high school. With that, it has pushed him to put in tons of extra work in the offseason to be the best he can for this season.
His parents are both big motivators in his football career, they will both do anything for him in order for him to play college football.
His coaches are a big part of his football career as well. Especially Coach Koops and Coach Behnke.
“Coach Behnke and Coach Koops are both really big motivators in my football career. They will both help me out in any way in order for me to play college football. Over the summer, I went to quite a few college prospect camps, and afterward I would either get a text or call from coach Koops asking how it went. It is just awesome knowing that these two coaches really want the best for me.”
Every day they help Ben and his teammates out during practice to help them be the best they can be. All the coaches put tons of work into coaching, and for Ben it’s really nice knowing that his football coaches care deeply about the game of football.
For Ben’s senior year, it is sad and he is going to miss his team.
“It’s definitely weird being that this is my last go around and that I won’t ever be a part of Hamilton football ever again. Even though it’s my last high school season, I do have plans to play college football so I am not done with football forever.”
As far as his four years on the football team he has many memories, but his favorite is the Holland Christian game from this year.
“My greatest memory from all of high school football is the Holland Chrisitan game. I’ve heard that was the first time Hamilton has ever beat Holland Christian at home and it means a lot to me for our team to be able to do that.”
Ben has built friendships and strong connections with his teammates which makes football more fun and makes him want to work hard and have a chance at the playoffs.