A quarterback the Bears could use

Brandon Benda may be playing in the amateur league, but the McHenry County Pirates quarterback is putting up numbers the big-time players in the National Football League would be proud of.

Although the season is just over month old, Benda, 22, has already set the MidStates Football League record for passing yards, twice, and broken the record for touchdown passes thrown in a game.

The MidStates Football League is a minor league with teams from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin. There are 14 teams in four divisions.

Scouts from the NFL, Canadian Football League and the Arena Football League routinely attend games to give players the opportunity to move up to the next level, General Manager Glenda Cain said.

The Pirates are currently second in the West Conference Badger Division with three losses and three wins.

But that doesn't matter to the Pirates.

"The season doesn't look that good on paper," Cain said. "But we have the best quarterback in the league."

In week four, Benda threw for 489 passing yards, supplanting the old mark of 439 passing yards, which he had set the week before.

"I couldn't ask for a better team," Benda said. "My wide receivers makes plays and my offensive line has been great. It's the 10 other guys on the team doing their job that allows me to do mine."

In a recent game against the Northern Illinois Cowboys, Benda threw seven touchdown passes.

"We have good chemistry," said Pirates wide receiver Rick Lahrman. "We are running routes and we are pretty much spot on. It is like we know what is going on in each other's head. He is the best quarterback in the league."

Head coach Eliseo Saldivar said of the quarterbacks he has coached at this level, Benda is among the best.

"I think a lot of it is that the offense is built around him and there are talented receivers," Saldivar said. "That combination can make you lethal."

Benda started playing football in the seventh grade at Olson Middle School in Woodstock and continued his career through high school at Woodstock High School. He played one year at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa before transferring to Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa for a year. Benda is now at Northern Illinois University working toward a physical education degree.

Benda said the league has given him and other players the opportunity to continue competing at a high level.

"Most of us are older and can't do the things we used to," Benda said. "But we still love the game."

The Pirates' next game is Saturday, Aug. 29 against The Chicago Thunder at Jacobs High School in Algonquin. Spectators are welcome. For information, check out mchenrycountypirates.com.