Breakthrough Player of Week 3: OL Dalton Lyons

PALM BEACH GARDENS – Adversity has driven Dalton Lyons to elevate his game in more ways than one.

The Benjamin senior offensive lineman has always been one of the best at his position for the Class of 2022. But at this time, it is plausible to say that he may no longer be just one of the best out there in Palm Beach County.

Lyons (6-foot-5, 300 pounds) moved from offensive tackle to center this season for the Buccaneers. It has greatly paid off in dividends for himself and the entire Buccaneers offense.

In Week 3, Lyons recorded an astounding 12 pancakes in the first quarter of his team’s 24-7 road win over Cardinal Newman. This alone was enough for catapult the rising star to earn our Breakthrough Player of Week 3 honor.

“I had a rough beginning of this year,” Lyons said. “I lost a lot of family members to COVID…There was a lot of motivation. God pulled me through adversity and by pushing myself. That’s what it was. And knowing the level of competition we were playing, I wanted to set the tone and let people know what was at stake.”

Lyons spoke on how Benjamin (3-0) has come together as a team after three games played.

“In preseason, Coach [Eric] Kresser got us together,” Lyons said. “We worked really hard at camp, two-a-days…I had to become a leader. I’m the only senior lineman on the line, so someone had to stand up. So it was me.”

Lyons (38 pancakes after three regular season games played) also touched on how well sophomore quarterback Tyler Aronson has played. The highly touted signal caller was rarely touched in last Friday night’s (Sept. 10) tilt.

“He’s a little brother to me,” Lyons said. “I love him. I never had a quarterback I could say that about. It would hurt my heart to see him get hurt, so I give everything I got in my heart for him.”

Lyons spoke on Benjamin’s standing as the No. 1-ranked private high school football team in Palm Beach County.

“We definitely take a good look at that,” Lyons said. “But at the end of the day, we know how much hard work we put in. Rankings mean very little to us. We know who we are. That’s it.”