It was not where he really wanted to be.
During week one, in the second quarter of the Rams’ win over Xavier, Benevento’s season ended when he broke his arm, leading to a spot on the sidelines for the next 12 games.
The disappointing scenario provided the Rams’ football and baseball star with some perspective on the sport.
“Football is honestly super-fun for me, so it was hard at first,” Benevento said. “Once you’re on the sidelines and you see how much fun your teammates are having, it’s hard not to enjoy it for them.”
Missing last year also has Benevento, now a captain, loving every minute of his senior season, something that was clear during a practice on Friday at Dunning Field.
“After last year, I’m just happy to be back playing the game that I love,” Benevento said. “It’s so much fun to be back out here.”
New Canaan coach Lou Marinelli said whatever the “It” factor is for a star player, Benevento has it.
Before the near complete wipeout of his junior season, Benevento had started at wide receiver as a sophomore, making 19 catches for 252 yards and two TDs, and rushing 16 times for 55 yards. He also made eight tackles on a safety on defense.
An All-State outfielder for the Rams’s baseball team during the spring, Benevento has committed to play that sport at Brown. The senior said he loves the city of Providence, RI, where the school is located, and connected well with the coaching staff, led by head coach Grant Achilles.
“It was the balance of the education you get at Brown along with a really great baseball program,” Benevento said. “I liked the way they went about explaining their philosophy of baseball and I have a similar way of playing the game.”
While playing college baseball was, according to Benevento, “always a part of the plan,” Marinelli said his competitive nature makes him a standout in both sports.
“He’s definitely an impact player,” Marinelli said. “He’s got good speed, he’s got savvy and he’s a competitor. He loves to play. Whether it’s football or baseball, he just loves to play.”
Injuries were a big part of New Canaan’s season last year.
Quarterback and kicker Ty Groff missed the first half of the season with a broken hand and preseason injuries took receiver Mack Seelert and running back Dom Rasso out for the entire season.
Those losses, combined with the loss of Benevento, made the eventual state championship — Marinelli’s 13th in 41 seasons — even more improbable.
“Just when you think you’re absolutely done for the year, the kids stepped up, filled in and we were able to get through it,” Marinelli said.
Benevento’s loss was a tough one, as he was a big part of the Rams’ outside game at receiver, Marinelli added.
“He tried really hard to get back for the Turkey Bowl (against Darien),” Marinelli said. “He’s a competitor and one of the best athletes we have. I’m sure it ate at him, but he held it in. I don’t think he showed too many people his disappointment.”
During that time, Benevento picked up some new insight into the sport while listening to the coaching staff.
“It’s stuff you may not see when you’re on the field yourself,” Benevento said. “Being in the coaches’ ears, you hear what they’re talking about, and see what they’re seeing. There’s a whole bunch of football minds and you’re able to hear them talk about the game, so it was really interesting.”
The start of the new season is a little more than a week away. New Canaan opens with an Alliance game at Shelton on Sept. 8, with the first home game against Warde on Sept. 14.
For Benevento, one of the team’s biggest strengths is the players’ bond.
“I like the team chemistry that we have going,” Benevento said. “I feel like I’m just as much buddies with the guys I’ve been playing football with since the third grade as I am with the sophomores coming in.”
After last year’s injury, Benevento could be making up for lost time. His ability to play different positions could test the Rams’ desire to have their players remain on just one side of the ball.
“I hope we don’t have to play him both ways but with a kid like that, when the game’s on the line, he’s got to be in,” Marinelli said. “He’s just such a good leader, a good teammate and a good friend. I can’t say enough good things about him.
“If we can keep him healthy, he’ll be a force.”
