By TYLER HENRY
Lead Sportswriter - Salina Post
Following a winless 2022 campaign, the Bennington football team has gotten on the right side of things in 2023 and will enter the home stretch of their schedule at 2-3.
All three of the Bulldog's losses have come at the hands of excellent programs, as Bennington has gone toe to toe with Moundridge (5-0), Sylvan-Lucas (5-0), and Ell-Saline (4-1).
Despite the tough schedule ahead, Bennington remains committed to consistent improvement, which has been the stalwart of their success thus far.
“The attitude of the kids to want to get better each and every week and the drive they have had to do the best they can each and every day has really impressed me,” Bulldog head coach Bryan Shamburg said.
Offensively Bennington has been able to lean on the elite connection between Kian Wilson and Isaiah Garrett as the quarterback has found his star wideout 14 times for 215 yards and five touchdowns already this year.
That combo perfectly compliments the thunder-and-lightning backfield duo of Gabe Davidson and Payge Rodenbeek, who have combined to rack up just shy of 400 yards on the ground and five touchdowns.
A challenging road still lies ahead for the Bulldogs, who will face Rock Hills, Lincoln, and Clifton-Clyde before the end of the year, but if Bennington can stay on the same track that they’ve been on, more good times could be in store for the program.
“I want them to continue driving to get better each and every week,” Shamburg said. “We need to continue to improve on the small things like our blocking techniques, tackling, penalties, and turnovers, but I really think that if we do that we will be happy where it takes us throughout the rest of the season.”
The Bulldogs will be back in action this Friday when they take on Mankato-Rock Hills in Bennington at 7:00.