Today, CFC features class of 2013 star offensive lineman and defensive tackle from the St. Andrews’ College Saints, Brandon Benoit. Brandon started playing football with the York Simcoe Bucs Atom (COMFL).
Brandon Benoit:
Positions:
Offensive guard, Offensive tackle, Defensive tackle
Height/Weight:
6’6, 300 lbs
Teams:
St. Andrew’s College Saints (varsity)
York Simcoe Bucs (atom/peewee/OFC peewee/OVFL varsity)
Team Ontario
Dr. G.W Williams (junior/varsity)
Commitment:
None
Consideration:
Open
Class:
2013
Brandon Benoit started playing football for the York Simcoe Bucs Atom team in 2005. He worked his way up to becoming an offensive line starter in 2006. When Brandon moved to the peewee COMFL team, he started on the offensive and defensive lines (right guard and defensive tackle) for two straight seasons. He was also an offensive and defensive line starter with the OFC peewee team in 2008.
Brandon attended two football camps that same year: the University of Michigan football camp and the Sports Specific Training Speed Camp. In 2009, he was an offensive and defensive line starter for Dr. G.W. Williams junior team and also started at right tackle for the York Simcoe Bucs junior varsity team. Brandon served as an offensive line coach of the Bucs bantam team.
In 2010, the star player moved up to the varsity ranks and was an offensive line starter for both the Dr. G.W. Williams and York Simcoe Bucs OFC team. He was selected lineman of the year for his play with the Bucs. Additionally, Brandon was a York Durham Football Official.
This season has been a busy yet successful campaign for Brandon. He was an integral part of the Saint Andrew’s College Saints Varsity team. They were the runners-up of the Metro Bowl in the OFSAA league and won the Canadian Independent School Athletic Association title.
At Saint Andrew’s, Brandon was an offensive (played the entire line with exception of center) and defensive line starter (right tackle). With the Bucs OFVL varsity team, he started at right tackle.
Brandon was selected as one of the GTA top 100 Rising Stars of 2012. Additionally, the star player was a member of Team Ontario and Southern Ontario Rising stars (right tackle).
Winning the CISAA championship against Upper Canada College is the highlight of Brandon’s football career.
“Down by more than a field goal with two minutes left it put a lot of pressure on the offensive line,” explains Brandon. “We managed to run the ball down the field to score the game winning touchdown.”
“The last two minutes of this game are probably the most memorable football experience of my entire career.”
One of the main influences on Brandon’s football career has been head coach Len Gurr.
“He gave me the opportunity to go to one of the greatest schools in the country, and in turn get the best possible education,” says Brandon. “He does an amazing job as a coach, as well as a teacher and advisor.”
“With his coaching and guiding I feel as if I can take my football to a new level.”
Another main influence on Brandon’s life is head coach Pete Carver. The rising star came to Carver in grade four with no football experience. Carver knew this but didn’t cut Brandon from the team and instead dubbed him as the “bubble boy”.
“He let me practice with the team, but I never played,” adds Brandon. “I feel as if he didnβt do that, I would have never come back to the sport.”
While Brandon is unsure of where he wants to pursue his education beyond high school, he has an idea of what career he wants to pursue. The rising football star would like to complete an undergraduate degree in the arts with the hope of attending law school.
Video of Brandon’s Football Highlights (SAC vs SMC semi-final game and Brandon is #60 playing right tackle and left guard):
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