Benet has a lot riding on senior quarterback Ben Clevenger’s right arm.
Clevenger will be taking his first varsity snap under center when the Redwings host Hillcrest in the season opener on Aug. 29. He takes over for Ryan Kubacki Jr., who set or tied five of the program’s passing records before he graduated.
“It’s exciting, but it comes with a lot of responsibility,” Clevenger said of his new role. “I’ve got to prepare my team. I’ve got to keep my posture and my body positivity.
“Everything to the max. Can’t let my team think I’m frustrated or anything like that.”
Clevenger endured quite a bit of frustration last season, although it had nothing to do with backing up Kubacki, who was a Class 5A all-state pick.
Clevenger started at safety but suffered a broken ankle against Mount Carmel in Week 5. He missed the final six games, watching from the sidelines as Kubacki led the Redwings to the second round of the 5A playoffs.
But Clevenger learned a lot from Kubacki.
“It was great backing him up,” Clevenger said. “He really showed you what it takes to succeed here. He just really set the tone for being a quarterback and getting our team in the playoffs. Hopefully we’ll follow that up.”
Benet coach Pat New is optimistic about that. The 6-foot-1, 185-pound Clevenger is nearly 6 inches taller than Kubacki and arguably an even better athlete.
“He’s ready for the challenge,” New said. “He’s got great physical skills.
“He’s got a great arm and a good body on him. I think for him it’s just a matter of the mental game and getting his reads down.”
Senior receiver Luke Doyle has confidence in Clevenger.
“Ben’s very good,” Doyle said. “He’s a big arm and big guy. He’s really athletic, too, so he runs as well out of the pocket, throws on the run good, and he knows the offense. He’s smart, just like Ryan was.
“I think we’ll pick up right where we left off and hopefully go on a playoff run for sure.”
Clevenger and Doyle know what it takes to go on a deep playoff run. They, along with Clevenger’s brother Jack, a middle linebacker, played on Benet’s baseball team, which finished second in 3A in June, bringing home the first state trophy in program history.
Clevenger got to show off his arm strength a bit as a relief pitcher. In nine appearances, he went 1-1 with a 2.15 ERA and 14 strikeouts in 13 innings.
“I’m a pitcher, so I do a lot of arm care, a lot of bands, a lot of work like that,” he said. “It’s definitely a game-changer, keeping my arm healthy and strong.”
Baseball is Clevenger’s best sport. He’d like to pitch in college.
But New is thankful to have Clevenger playing pitch-and-catch with Doyle on the gridiron.
“I think baseball is his No. 1,” New said of Clevenger. “We’re happy to have him for football.”
New doesn’t mind his quarterback playing baseball. Pitching can correlate well with throwing the football.
“For sure,” New said. “A lot of these guys are pitchers. You see a lot of them in the NFL.”
Indeed, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was drafted as a pitcher by MLB teams. New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson and Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray were drafted by MLB teams too.
Clevenger isn’t in that class, of course, but he thinks he’s set up for success as the Redwings have a good group of receivers and two returning starters on the offensive line.
Plus, he’s aware that all eyes will be on the quarterback, just as they are for the pitcher in baseball.
“We’re keeping the same offense, so we’re hoping to pass pretty much the same amount,” Clevenger said. “You just have to know what to do with the ball before the snap and recognize coverage, just having a plan in your head before the play even happens.
“So you’ve got to be aware of ‘what am I doing if this happens?’”
What will happen this season? Nobody is predicting the Redwings will reach the state championship game, but Clevenger hopes the success of the baseball team carries over to football.
“Obviously, getting there wasn’t easy,” he said. “But we just know what it takes to get there, and we’re ready to work this year.”
Matt Le Cren is a freelance reporter.