‘Unique athlete’ leading Tartans’ push for high school football crown
Coach says Stusek is a good student, great competitor and team leader
A problem Campbell Tartans head coach Ryan Hall may have to face during the Regina Intercollegiate Football League season is that Bennett Stusek can only play one position at a time, and there’s only one football.
“He’s kind of a unique athlete,” Hall said. “He’s not a big (and) thick guy, but he’s tough, he battles for the ball and he’s a great competitor. Pound for pound, I’ve rarely seen a player who can battle for a ball in the air like him. He has a great way of getting in position and coming down with footballs that are contested.”
Stusek, a gifted receiver who can also play quarterback and on special teams, maintains his speed, explosiveness and love for scoring touchdowns allows him to have success in a sport that he’s enjoyed his entire life.
Hall said the “two-dimensional” Grade 12 student is a rare talent who knows how to have fun and laugh, but also knows when to get serious and focus. It’s what makes Stusek a popular player, a good student and an offensive threat.
Stusek said being able to play alongside his brother Carter and having his dad Jeff as his receivers coach when he started with the Tartans has helped him succeed.
“(Joining the team) in my Grade 9 year and getting to play with my brother, I think it helped me get a feel for it because I’ve been playing with him for so long,” Stusek said. “It was easier to make the transition.”
Being a leader is something that Stusek will be focusing on in his senior year, and something that Hall is expecting out of him, as well.
“Bennett is one of those guys who, when he talks, they listen,” Hall said. “It’s not just because he’s a great athlete. They respect that he’s a guy who works hard (and) it doesn’t just come easy to him. He puts in a full effort at practice every time. Guys know that and they respect it.”
“We have got a lot of leaders,” Stusek said. “I think we lacked leadership last year because we were a young team, but this year we have a lot of leaders.”
After losing in a Schwann Conference semifinal last year, the Tartans are geared up and excited to start the new season Thursday against the O’Neill Titans (7:30 p.m., Mosaic Stadium). Campbell is hoping to end the LeBoldus Golden Suns’ run of five consecutive city and provincial 4A titles.
“For the first time in a while, we have as much talent as they do, so it’s going to be nice to be on an even playing field,” Stusek said, “and now it’s time to play hard and stay focused.”
As Stusek’s coach and homeroom teacher, Hall is already fielding calls from universities.
“Bennett has made himself very attractive to schools from coast to coast, especially with ones with high academic standings because those are the ones where he wants to go,” Hall said. “He’s obviously setting himself up very well for some great opportunities and some hard choices.”
However, Stusek isn’t getting ahead of himself, despite having already met with representatives from several schools.
“I’m just trying to enjoy my Grade 12 year and focus on those things later in the year,” he said. “It’s always in the back of my mind, but I try to block it out and the rest will work itself out.”