Move from running back to quarterback has paid dividends for Fort Dorchester's Bennett

Alan Hawes
The Post and Courier

Fort Dorchester's Galen Bennett

Fort Dorchester coach Steve LaPrad can laugh now when he talks about Galen Bennett's move from running back to quarterback. Four years have passed since Bennett made the transition, and now he has become one of the top dual-threat quarterbacks in the state.

It took a lot of work on Bennett's part, and a lot of patience from LaPrad.

LaPrad can remember when Bennett could barely throw the football more than 10 yards, and his spiral ... well, forget about it. Bennett, always the runner, has tweaked his throwing mechanics by working with assistant coach Bennett Swygert. And, he's

improved his arm strength with hard work in the weight room. He made mistakes early in his career, and he has learned from them. Now he's ready for his final season at the helm of the Patriots' offense.

"You've heard it before, but it's like having a coach on the field with Galen out there," LaPrad said. "He knows what's happening on the field and he knows where every player is supposed to be. Having a quarterback who is in his third year as a starter is a huge plus."

Bennett didn't see the field his freshman season. But the next year, he beat out the incumbent quarterback for the starting job. He was frustrated at times, but he also flourished.

"We knew we had something special," LaPrad said. "We knew he could handle the heat. Now, we're excited for him and hope he has a big year. We hope everything goes well."

Bennett passed for 1,280 yards and seven touchdowns as a sophomore and added another 688 yards on the ground. Last year, he passed for 1,084 yards and 12 touchdowns, completing 52 percent of his passes. He just missed topping the 1,000-yard mark on the ground, finishing with 990 yards and 18 touchdowns.

Bennett is optimistic about the Fort's chances after back-to-back 9-4 records.

"My confidence is high," Bennett said. "The team expects a lot from me since this is my third year as a starter. My arm strength has gotten better. I can still make the plays with my legs, but my reads on the field are what has made me a better quarterback."

There's still room for improvement.

Being a three-year starter at quarterback would seem to make you a natural-born leader. But that's not the case with Bennett.

"I'm not a vocal person," he said. "I lead by my actions, so I have to become more vocal."

"He's come a long way," LaPrad said. "When he made the move, he had below-average arm strength. He's made a lot of improvement. He's not a great thrower. He's an above-average thrower.

"We've got five or six who can carry the ball and I'm not afraid to say Galen might be the best of the bunch."

	E-mail story
	Printer-friendly version
	Comments
	iPod friendly
	Text alerts to your cell phone
	Get daily news e-mailed to you
	Subscribe to the Post and Courier