Zosel earns All-District for Braves
The Benson football team ended the 2017 season with an 0-9 record after falling to Minnewaska Area in the Section 5AA opener at Minnewaska Area High School, 55-14.
This was the second time in the last four years the Braves have finished the season without a win. Benson had its best chance at a victory in the opener at KMS.
The Braves led that game late, but the Saints tied it up to send it into overtime and then won in double-overtime, 34-28.
After the loss to KMS, the Braves played Sauk Centre tough before losing 34-14 and then it was four tough weeks against Osakis (27-6), Morris (35-16), BOLD (68-0), and ACGC (26-0) before Benson lost at Montevideo (35-12) and then ended the regular-season with a loss to Minnewaska Area (35-14) and a loss to the Lakers in the Section 5AA opener (55-14).
BOLD went on to win the Mid State White sub-district with a 7-0 league mark, followed by ACGC, Minnewaska area, and Sauk Centre at 5-2 each, Morris Area-CA at 3-4, Montevideo at 2-5, Osakis at 1-6, and Benson at 0-7.
Benson will lose seven seniors to graduation from this year’s team: Aaron Zosel, Shane Flower, Devin Vergin, Kaden Schmidt, Shane Grussing, Matt Connolly, and Sam Lundebrek.
“Although we didn’t have success in the win column, the football team and players were, and will continue to be, very successful individuals in school, extra-curriculars, and the bigger game of life,” Gonnerman said. “I am very proud of the players on this year’s BHS football team.....”
Benson individual statistics
Aaron Zosel, who was the lone Benson player earning All-District honors this season, was the leading scorer for the Braves this season and was also the leading rusher and leading tackler.
The All-District team and other postseason awards will be highlighted next week.
Zosel ended the season with 38 points on five touchdowns and four two-point conversions, while Matt Tolifson was next with 32 points on five touchdowns and a two-point conversion, Will Enderson scored three touchdowns for 18 points, and Hunter Gonnerman and Adam Zosel both had one touchdown.
Tolifson had the longest TD, going 89 yards on a kickoff return against Minnewaska Area, and also hauling in the longest touchdown pass of the season at 57 yards from Enderson.
Adam Zosel, who was hurt during the second game against Sauk Centre, suffering a broken leg, had the longest run for a TD, going 55 yards.
Aaron Zosel had 323 yards for the season on 113 carries, picking up about half of Benson’s total rushing yards, while Adam Zosel had 28 rushes for 123 yards before having his season end early, Hunter Gonnerman had 108 yards on 27 carries, and Will Enderson was also above 100 yards for the season with 101 yards on 51 runs....
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Pictured: Aaron Zosel, shown picking up some big yards during a game in Benson this season, earned All-District honors for the Braves this season. He led Benson in rushing yardage, scoring, and tackles.
