William Penn’s football season wraps up Saturday (11/13) when the Statesmen host Graceland in a 2:00 game at Statesmen Community Stadium. It will be the final home game for 12 seniors, including fullback Ben Sherman. He became the Statesmen’s all-time leading rusher last Saturday (11/6) in Penn’s 28-17 victory at Clarke. Sherman talks about his final game.
“It’s going to be an emotional day just because I’ve invested so much here and I’ve spent the last six years here. I came in and red-shirted my first year, stayed the course and there was talent ahead of me. I waited my turn and when it was my time to go, I just went with it. Hopefully, it’s a great day. Maybe some tears, some smiles, some laughs. I’m excited to move on with my life, but this place is always going to hold a special place in my heart.”
Sherman also tied a school record last week with a 92 yard touchdown run. He talks us through that run.
“Once I got through and I started running–I was nursing a hamstring issue–so I didn’t really open it up. So when I got going, I got to the 50 and the sun was at my back and I was waiting to see a shadow and I’m like ‘Where is everybody?’ and I let up a little bit and I’m still not getting caught. At the 30, I’m like ‘Oh, there’s a shadow. Someone’s coming. Get there! Get there!’ Then we got a sideline warning, (Assistant Kody) Coach Jarvis was running down the field, he was running at the ref, and they threw a flag and I turned around and ‘Ohhhh. I did all that?’ It stuck (the touchdown counted), so it was OK.”
Statesmen Coach Todd Hafner talked about working with Sherman.
“Anytime that you can coach one of the best players that have been through the program, or in this case, the best at his position, it’s fun. I’m happy for him because he deserves it. He’s worked his tail off to get himself in shape to get himself to be able to withstand the punishment of playing fullback in an option offense. And he’s done a really good job of learning the offense like a quarterback would. So he knows where the cuts are going to be, where people are going to be standing and potentially where the big hits are coming from and he’s done a great job of trying to avoid those big hits.”
Again, William Penn’s football game with Graceland kicks off at 2 on Saturday afternoon.
