20 November 2020 | prestonhollowpeople.com
Sports
PARISH SENIOR MIGHT BE SMALL, BUT HE STANDS OUT ON THE FIELD
Offensive and special teams specialist Christian Benson looks to do it all for the Panthers By Todd Jorgenson People Newspapers
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hristian Benson likes to think of himself as a Swiss Army Knife for Parish Episcopal. He’s capable of performing dozens of functions, and whenever he’s on the field, he’s never dull. Last season, he scored eight rushing touchdowns and seven receiving touchdowns for the Panthers and was named the district’s top player on special teams. He tallied 187 all-purpose yards and two scores in Parish’s state-title game win over John Paul II. “I think it’s fun being a utility guy. I embrace all of the different roles that I have,” Benson said. “Week by week, I’ve just got to do whatever the team needs me to do.” As a senior this season, those responsibilities now include leadership for a program that has heightened expectations as it looks
to defend its TAPPS state championship. Benson and his fellow returnees try to be role models for younger players on the team. “We have to keep that championship mentality and that championship culture going,” he said. “We know that if we lose, it’s considered an upset, but if we win, it’s expected.” Benson comes from a football family. His grandfather played professionally, and a cousin, Thomas Benson, spent nine years as a linebacker in the NFL with four different teams during the 1980s. “It’s part of us,” Benson said. “I don’t think I’ll ever stop playing sports. I’m just a competitor at heart.” Benson grew up playing basketball, soccer, and baseball before settling on football as his primary sport. He made the varsity squad during his freshman season at Greenhill before
I think it’s fun being a utility guy. I embrace all of the different roles that I have. Christian Benson
Versatile Parish Episcopal football player Christian Benson scored eight rushing touchdowns and seven receiving touchdowns last season. (PHOTO: CHRIS MCGATHEY) transferring to Parish. Although Benson is just 5-foot-7, Parish head coach Daniel Novakov recognized his versatility, durability, and explosiveness. “He’s listed as a running back, but he’s so much more than that. He’s so dynamic when he gets the
ball in his hands,” Novakov said. “Just lining him up in the backfield every play isn’t taking advantage of the complete skill set that he has. He’s like seven different players in one package.” After his senior year, Benson will head to Lafayette College in
Pennsylvania, where he will be teammates with Parish linebacker Kenneth Borders. Both gave their verbal commitments this summer. “I wanted a school with the right environment both academically and athletically,” he said, “and I think Lafayette embodies that.”
Patriot Pride: TJ Athletes Stay Strong Despite Setbacks
Coach Jones aims to build back tornado-hampered program better and stronger By Todd Jorgenson People Newspapers
Wins on the scoreboard are nice, but for coaches and athletes at Thomas Jefferson, it’s a victory these days just to keep playing. After all, you could hardly fault anyone at TJ for making excuses amid all of the obstacles that have befallen the school the past year. A tornado leveled the campus in October 2019, prompting the relocation of classes and athletic programs to an old middle-school building nine miles away. The COVID-19 pandemic hindered efforts to regroup teams and rebuild morale. The public-health crisis also caused the school’s football coach to leave over the summer, with boys basketball coach Kenny Jones stepping in as a last-minute replacement to lead a downtrodden squad with 27 straight losses entering this season. “We certainly have resilient staff and coaches and student-athletes. They have continued to open our eyes to how resilient they are,” said Jones, who has been the athletic coordinator at TJ for eight years. “We have continued to not make any excuses and move our programs forward.” Jones points to a handful of milestones,
There are reasons why people could have left, but we’ve had to talk with parents and ask them to give us a chance to grow their kids and support their kids. Kenny Jones Thomas Jefferson High School athletic coordinator Kenny Jones stepped in to lead the football team after the program’s coach left this summer. (PHOTO: CHRIS MCGATHEY) such as Lizzet Salazar making the school’s first-ever appearance at the girls wrestling state tournament last winter. But behind-the-scenes achievements are just as noteworthy. For example, it’s challenging to keep students coming to a school 20 minutes from their neighborhood. Administrators worked out a bus plan to help, but regular practice
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attendance can be logistically challenging for athletes. “We’ve tried to be really mindful and thoughtful of what we can do for our kids to maintain hope,” Jones said. “We have an uphill battle with all of these setbacks, but that’s what makes this job so rewarding.” After the storm, assistance came pouring in.
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Dallas ISD arranged for facilities and equipment on short notice. The Dallas Cowboys opened their Frisco practice facility to the Patriots free of charge. And the Texas Rangers have pitched in by allowing TJ to use baseball and softball fields at their Mercy Street complex in West Dallas. “We’ve continued to stay calm and coach on,” Jones said. “If we raise the bar, kids usually find a way to try and meet those standards.” And the players have responded. TJ had more than 30 varsity players suited up for the season-opening football game against Pinkston, and despite a 50-2 loss, participation continues to rise. “We would typically be going and knocking on doors just to get kids to come to practice,” Jones said. “Now we’ve had just as many, if not more, students showing up.” Where coaches at other schools might have to manufacture character-building experiences, TJ players live through them every day. “There are reasons why people could have left, but we’ve had to talk with parents and ask them to give us a chance to grow their kids and support their kids. Many of them have stayed,” Jones said. “We just try to focus on the positives. Eventually, we will be back at the TJ we know. It will be built better and stronger.”