Benton Community continues rejuvenation of football program

VAN HORNE — The philosophy is simple and effective.

Kal Goodchild wanted to reestablish it when he returned for a second tenure as Benton Community head football coach.

'There's not a lot of rocket science with being in athletics,' said Goodchild, who is in his third season back at the helm and in his 19th season overall. 'If you don't work, you don't win. The kids have worked really hard.'

The Bobcats' effort has paid dividends and created a resurgence in the Benton football program, including a second straight postseason appearance. The district runner-up Bobcats (7-2) travel to fifth-ranked Solon (8-1) in the first round of the Class 3A playoffs.

Benton has secured its first winning season and a .500-or-above record in consecutive seasons since 2009. Even though the Bobcats have occupied the underdog role most of the season they haven't surprised themselves.

'We've played all year and that is kind of the mark of the program,' said Goodchild, who first took Benton to the playoffs in 1993. 'We're going to play hard and you're going to have to play us. We don't give up and won't flinch. That's what we kind of pride ourselves on.'

When Goodchild took over again, he wanted to reinstate a strong work ethic and improve participation numbers. More bodies roaming the halls made their way to football practice and they embraced the work in the weight room, including in the early-morning hours of the summer.

'We love to get after it,' Senior wideout Riley Pfiffner said. 'We came in ready to work. All summer we knew our goals. We knew what we wanted to get done and that's why we showed up.'

Goodchild praised the small group of seniors, who have taken leadership roles. They let their actions do the talking and are full of fight.

'Those kids lead by example more than anything because they work hard,' Goodchild said. 'Those are good characteristics to have and they are pretty competitive kids.'

They have bonded through a common goal, playing together since middle school. The Bobcats have a tight-knit group that has enjoyed pregame meals on Thursday nights. They have made trips to Buffalo Wild Wings and Pizza Ranch together. They have had a swim outing at a teammate's pond. The Bobcats have transformed that camaraderie into trust and unity on the football field.

'I haven't been part of a football team like this with how close we are and how well we work together in some areas,' Pfiffner said. 'We continued to get better all year.'

The result of all this is a ninth playoff trip for the program and six straight victories to earn 3A District 3A runner-up honors, including a 14-12 victory over Waverly-Shell Rock. The season started slow, but turned in Week 4 with an 30-27 victory over Decorah. The Bobcats rattled off.

'I think winning a close game like that we were like we can do whatever we want to if we put our mind to it,' Pfiffner said of the Decorah game. 'We've managed to come out on top of quite a few close ballgames since then. I'd say it was a turning point, for sure.'

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Benton has some weapons on offense, including Pfiffner and running back Maurice Williams. Pfiffner leads 3A with 57 receptions and is sixth with 638 yards. He is also second on the team in rushing yards (276) and passing (80).

Williams has rushed for 1,223 yards, which is fifth in 3A, and his 14 TDs is 11th. Spencer Touro has thrown for 932 yards and seven scores, adding 231 and two on the ground.

The Bobcat defense has forced 20 turnovers (10 interceptions, 10 fumbles). Touro and Joshua Marcus are tied for eighth in 3A with four interceptions apiece. Success stems from the line play on both sides of the ball.

'Our offensive and defensive line have improved so much from the last couple years,' Goodchild said. 'I'm still old school. I get it. We're throwing the ball and running the ball well, but you're doing it for a reason. If your guys up front aren't doing good things then those (skill) guys aren't getting what they want.'

The Bobcats have their hands full with a Solon team that has not lost to 3A competition and has won seven straight. Goodchild said Solon is a balanced, well-coached team with strong interior line play and the Spartans make few mistakes.

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The Bobcats find themselves labeled underdogs again, but they are used to it.

'We're excited,' Pfiffner said. 'We're right where we want to be — in the playoffs — and we made it here. Now we have to take care of business.

'I think we take that as motivation because we've been told we were going to lose a lot these last few games and we pulled those out. I think we can give a challenge and we love it.'

l Comments: (319) 368-8679; kj.pilcher@thegazette.com