Meet an offensive lineman: Fenton's Adam Benayad
Daily Herald Report
In the trenches with ...
Fenton offensive lineman Adam Benayad
Year: Senior
Best thing about being an offensive lineman: It's about fighting in the trenches. Those 1-on-1 battles that prove who's the better side of the ball. Time and again, we're told the game is won upfront. Also, it's a great feeling to pancake that defensive lineman.
Worst thing about being an offensive lineman: Doing your “1/11” as my coach likes to say, is doing your part on the field. You know when you lose, if you don't do your “1/11” then everyone will see that mistake. If everyone does their part, we won the game. We linemen don't get the recognition for great pass protection or massive runs for touchdowns. We're a family up front, and we praise each other for those plays no one sees.
Don't tell my coach that: I'm a fullback at heart.
If I could change one thing about football: I wish it was a safer sport. People always getting hurt. I hope by the time my youngest brother comes to the high school level, it will be safer with better equipment and more knowledge about how to prevent future injuries, both mentally and physically. So when my brother does play, he's not as at risk for concussions as we are today.
Team not on our schedule I wish we could play: Mt. Carmel. My coach tells me those guys are the real deal. I want to know what it feels like to block a (Division I) athlete. I want to see what a team full of dedicated young men actually looks like. My coach always tells me to take opportunities, and I know they would be one heck of an opportunity.
How I'll celebrate if I score a TD: I'll probably scream and go crazy waiting for my teammates to get to me. I would most likely brag about it to our running backs.
Twitter, Facebook or Instagram: I've started to use Twitter more. It's a more active way to communicate with teammates and colleges. As much as I like to show off my pictures on Instagram, I choose Twitter.
What I like best about my school: The team spirit that comes out on Friday nights. I love to hear the roaring crowd of our super fans. Everyone, from the students to the faculty members, is always stoked to see us play.
Something about me that would surprise you: I'm a giant nerd. Not just in the classroom, but even at home. I love the Star Wars series as well as Lord of the Rings. You could ask me anything about those two, and I've got an answer for you right away.
Other sports I play: I wrestled my freshman year and stopped. I think for my senior year I will definitely get back into the groove of it.
Other school activities: Not currently in any.
Favorite actor: It has to be Al Pacino. His acting in The Godfather just astonished me. Hands down the best movie ever made. He was the man for the job.
Favorite actress: There are so many to choose from. They're all my favorite.
Favorite athlete: I have to say it's Lance Briggs. He stepped up when (the Chicago Bears) lost Brian Urlacher. He's doing great this year. He gives me the courage to step up and be the best I can possibly be on and off the field.
Favorite musician: It all depends on the situation I'm in. Although I do listen to Twenty-One Pilots on Pandora most of the time. Their music keeps me calm and relates to me.
The Quote:
“We just like to take it one week at a time. Coach is really good at keeping our minds focused on one week at a time.”
— Glenbard West junior running back Sam Brodner who, despite Saturday's huge 28-14 West Suburban Silver win over Oak Park, stressed the importance of heeding Hilltoppers coach Chad Hetlet's sage advice.
The Stat:
13
The number of interceptions in six games by Naperville Central's defense. The Redhawks have snared 4 interceptions in each of their last two games.
The Standings:
Chicago Catholic Green
School All Conf. GB
W-L W-L
Fenwick 4-2 2-0 -
Montini 4-2 1-0 0.5
Marmion 4-2 1-1 1
St. Francis 4-2 0-1 1.5
De La Salle 1-5 0-2 2
DuPage Valley
School All Conf. GB
W-L W-L
Naperville Central 5-1 2-0 -
Glenbard North 3-3 1-1 1
Lake Park 4-2 1-1 1
Wheaton North 2-4 1-1 1
WW South 2-4 1-1 1
Naperville North 2-4 0-2 2
East Suburban Catholic
School All Conf. GB
W-L W-L
Nazareth 6-0 4-0 -
Joliet Catholic 5-1 4-0 -
Benet 4-2 2-2 1
Carmel 4-2 3-1 1
St. Viator 3-3 2-2 1
Marian Central 4-2 2-2 2
Marist 3-3 2-2 2
Notre Dame 2-4 1-3 2
St. Patrick 2-4 0-4 3
Marian Catholic 1-5 0-4 3
Interstate Eight Small
School All Conf. GB
W-L W-L
Wilmington 6-0 4-0 -
Herscher 4-2 3-1 1
Seneca 4-2 2-2 2
Westmont 3-3 2-2 2
Reed-Custer 1-5 1-3 3
Lisle 1-5 0-4 4
Metro Suburban West
School All Conf. GB
W-L W-L
Glenbard South 4-2 2-0 -
Riverside-Brookfield 4-2 2-0 -
Aurora Central Catholic 5-1 1-1 1
IC Catholic Prep 2-4 1-1 1
Fenton 4-2 0-2 2
Wheaton Academy 4-2 0-2 2
Upstate Eight River
School All Conf. GB
W-L W-L
Geneva 6-0 4-0 -
Batavia 5-1 4-0 -
St. Charles North 4-2 2-2 2
West Chicago 3-3 2-2 2
St. Charles East 2-4 2-2 2
Streamwood 2-4 2-2 2
Elgin 0-6 0-4 4
Larkin 0-6 0-4 4
Upstate Eight Valley
School All Conf. GB
W-L W-L
Waubonsie Valley 6-0 4-0 -
Neuqua Valley 4-2 4-0 -
Bartlett 3-3 2-2 2
Metea Valley 3-3 2-2 2
South Elgin 3-3 2-2 2
Glenbard East 3-3 1-3 3
West Aurora 1-5 1-3 3
East Aurora 0-6 0-4 4
West Suburban Gold
School All Conf. GB
W-L W-L
Addison Trail 6-0 4-0 -
Hinsdale South 5-1 3-1 1
Downers South 4-2 2-1 1.5
Morton 2-4 2-2 2
Willowbrook 1-5 1-2 2.5
Proviso East 1-5 0-3 3.5
Leyden 0-6 0-3 3.5
West Suburban Silver
School All Conf. GB
W-L W-L
Glenbard West 6-0 4-0 -
Oak Park-River Forest 5-1 3-1 1
Hinsdale Central 4-2 3-1 1
Lyons Twp. 3-3 1-2 2.5
York 4-2 1-2 2.5
Proviso West 2-4 0-3 3.5
Downers North 1-5 0-3 3.5
The Schedule:
Friday's games
Reed-Custer at Westmont, 7:30 p.m.
Bartlett at Neuqua Valley, 7:30 p.m.
Carmel at Benet, 7:30 p.m.
Downers Grove North at York, 7:30 p.m.
East Aurora at Metea Valley, 7:30 p.m.
Fenton at Riverside-Brookfield, 7:15 p.m.
Glenbard South at Aurora Central Catholic, 7:15 p.m.
Glenbard West at Proviso West, 7:30 p.m.
Lake Park at Glenbard North, 7:30 p.m.
Lisle at Herscher, 7:15 p.m.
Montini at St. Francis, 7:30 p.m.
Proviso East at Addison Trail, 7:30 p.m.
West Aurora at Waubonsie Valley, 7:30 p.m.
West Chicago at Geneva, 7:30 p.m.
Wheaton North at Naperville Central, 7:30 p.m.
Wheaton Warrenville South at Naperville North, 7:30 p.m.
Willowbrook at Downers Grove South, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday's games
Glenbard East at South Elgin, 1:30 p.m.
Hinsdale South at Hinsdale Central, noon
Wheaton Academy at IC Catholic Prep, 1 p.m.