8-30-2024 11:06pm

Sportlightz: Senior Hononegah Indians offensive lineman Jacob Benson

Hononegah High School senior offensive lineman Jacob Benson

Senior Hononegah Indian offensive lineman Jacob Benson is our first Sportlights.

Standing 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighing around 290 pounds, you would imagine that senior offensive lineman Jacob Benson of the Hononegah Indians would be a very scary man to be around. The thing is, he is what you wouldn’t expect. Jacob is a large confident young man who understands the importance of his faith, his studies, his family, and his leadership.

Hononegah offensive line coach Phil Adams says this about Jacob Benson: “The sky is the limit for Jacob.” “He is very coachable! He aspires to be an All-Conference lineman and play at the next level.” “He is the type of kid that will push himself to get there.” “Our program is better because we have Jacob Benson.”

Jacob’s former teammate Gabe Kohl talked about Jacob Benson recently with our reporter Kennlee Pitterle:

“Jacob is one of the most smart and amazing people I know. He is a man of God and prioritizes his relationship with God first over anything which is the most important thing in this life. I truly believe Jacob’s work ethic and dedication to this sport is shown simply by the accomplishments he has had over the last 3 years. He came in his sophomore year as a basketball player trying football out again, and turned into an absolute unit and now claims to be a football player first which is amazing!

“I strongly believe that his contributions to the team last year is what helped us be 9-0 and be able to win so many games. His leadership on the Field helped a lot and I know that it will be nothing less this season!! Jacob is a strong young man with an amazing heart on and off the Field.0 I think he is going to go far because God is truly going to bless him simply because he is dedicated and he is using the gifts that God has given him, for good.”

“Though Jacob’s family, friends, and coaches have all helped get him to where he is today, there is one crucial element to Jacob’s success that without it he wouldn’t be who he is today. That element is his faith in God. Before each game in the 2023 football season, Jacob can be seen in many photos praying with a couple of close teammates, as well as his younger brother. Jacob often wears a cross around his neck with the Bible verse Isaiah 41:10 which states, “Fear not for I am with you: do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

“Though on the field is where all the action and excitement happens, before even stepping foot onto the field, he steps foot into the halls of Hononegah High School during the school day wearing his #72 jersey each Friday. The jerseys turn heads, everyone wondering what number to be looking for on the field and what face will be underneath the helmet later that night. Nobody questions who 72 is, they already know.”

“Though his Hononegah career may be ending shortly as he steps into his senior year, with his drive and passion expect him to be putting cleats, pads, a helmet, and jersey on for another team for years to come. This year is not the end of Jacob’s football career. It is just the beginning as he has a bright future.”

Some of the schools Jacob Benson has either attended camps at or been in contact with are Northwestern, South Dakota State, Yale, and North Dakota State. I would expect this list to grow with each week as the Indians season gets underway.

Follow Jacob Benson online at his Instagram Jacob_benson72.

Thank you to student reporter Kennlee Pitterle for information used in this article.

Images used in the story are credited to Jacob Benson and Hono_Football on Twitter

A self-described sports evangelist, Harold Bone is the Rockton-Roscoe News sports editor who is committed to finding stories behind-the-box scores and discovering engaging sports content. Harold has a background in many forms of media - everything from radio to TV. He has spent the last 25-plus years attending, following, and cheering for teams and athletes from the pros and colleges to local high schools and youth recreational leagues. Harold is passionate about creating engaging stories for athletes and sports fans in the Rockton/Roscoe/South Beloit, Illinois communities. Got a story idea? Contact Harold via email at harold@roscoenews.com and follow him on Twitter at @SPRTSEDRRNews.