Team of Week 3: Benjamin

PALM BEACH GARDENS – The Benjamin Buccaneers are the No. 1-ranked private high school football team right now.

After taking down second-ranked Cardinal Newman in a 17-7 road win last Friday night (Sept. 10), it is easy to see how and why.

Benjamin sophomore quarterback Tyler Aronson engineered his team to a victory with two first-half touchdown passes, one each to junior wideout Darrell Sweeting and senior tight end Sean Rooney.

Aronson’s touchdown pass to Sweeting was a 12-yarder at the 9:58 mark of the second quarter, which turned a 7-0 deficit into a 7-7 tie with Cardinal Newman.

And just before halftime, after Cardinal Newman lost a fumble to Benjamin, Aronson made sure to connect with Rooney for a 14-yard scoring pass to take a 14-7 halftime lead.

Benjamin’s final three points came in the second half. It was a 22-yard field goal made by junior kicker Luke Casper, who added two extra points in the game.

To top it off, Benjamin forced six turnovers in this pivotal game against Cardinal Newman.

With the win, Benjamin (3-0) was selected as our Team of Week 3.

“They came out with a ton of energy,” Aronson said. “They didn’t let their foot off the gas. We’ve all worked so hard to stay in shape the whole game and keeping our foot on the gas the whole game.”

Aronson spoke more about his team’s defense.

“I’m so proud of the guys,” Aronson said. “They gave me so many opportunities. They gave me the ball back much of the time with good field position. I couldn’t be more proud.”

Aronson spread his level of love to the offensive line, which made it possible for him to not get touched much in the game.

“Everything starts with the o-line,” Aronson said. “Protection is everything. You can’t do anything without it. They’ve worked so hard and we’ve built a little army. We’ve come together as a group, and every day we’re bonding better…Everything starts with them. Seeing the game that they had, they just kept their foot on the gas. I’m just so proud of them. I can’t ask for more than that.”

Aronson spoke of his receiving corps, which includes the likes of Sweeting, Rooney, and junior Micah Mays Jr.

“Sean, Micah, Darrell, Mark, all those guys,” Aronson said. “We also have Shomori, Chauncey…As people went down, I told them all to stay composed. I told them we have to still play our game. We have to stay cool, calm, and collected. We finished out the game good. We didn’t get emotional. We came out with the win. I’m so proud of the guys.”

Aronson spoke of his touchdown passes to Sweeting and Rooney.

“I know that I have to get the ball in my hands quick,” Aronson said. “I have to give my guys a chance to make a play, which Darrell did. He made it to the pylon at the end zone. And Sean made a great catch. There some other great catches that were made. Definitely proud of the guys.”

The biggest play of the game likely came late in the fourth quarter, when senior defensive end/outside linebacker Calvin Bowens made a key sack and forced a fumble to seal Benjamin’s win.

“In the beginning of the game, we actually came out pretty slow,” Bowens said. “But after the half, we came out strong…When that play came, it was pedal to the metal. Go get him. It was about willpower. It wasn’t just me. It was a collection of the whole d-line.”