#CFCOPC PLAYERS TO WATCH: Team Central Minor DB Bennett hungry to showcase skills

The countdown begins to CanadaFootballChat.com’s Ontario Prospect Challenge (OPC) on the April 29th weekend at Tim Horton’s Field in Hamilton. In the days leading up to the OPC, CFC will preview the teams and players participating in the big event.

Samuel “Sweepstakes” Bennett may not be the biggest or most physically imposing player on the field, but the diminutive defensive back has a passion for the game that knows no bounds.

“Football is my favourite sport, actually it’s my favourite thing to do ever,” Bennett said.

This dedication to the game is what has awarded Bennett a second term with Team Central. “I had a lot of fun playing on the team last year and it gives me the best opportunity to showcase my skills,” he said.

While he may already have an idea of what is in store for him, Bennett is still excited to hit the gridiron with players he has never played with before. These players are opponents he has played against all year he said.

Bennett is 4’11, 84lbs and has played a variety of positions, but will be starting as a defensive back with Team Central. He started playing when he was five years old with the North York Grizzlies (Ontario Football League). Since then, he has suited up for the Metro Toronto Wildcats, Etobicoke Eagles and Toronto Jets (Ontario Varsity Football League).

“I like playing defense,” Bennett said. “DB’s are one of the most important players on the field so when I do my job, I like being congratulated on the sideline by my teammates and coaches.”

Samuel Bennett. Courtesy of Jennah Desrochers.

Samuel Bennett. Courtesy of Jennah Desrochers.

Bennett, who boasts his own pretty unique nickname, picked Deion “Primetime” Sanders, a former NFL cornerback, as his football inspiration. “He did stuff most NFL players can’t do. He is one of the greatest to play the game,” he said.

The OPC will converge on Tim Hortons Field, home of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (CFL). Bennett said he likes that they get to play in an actual stadium where professionals play.

When the game begins and the pressure beings to mount, Bennet said, “I’m just going to take it as a regular game and try and be as calm as possible and do my job.”

The young defensive back is set to graduate in 2022 and he has his sights set on one of football’s top prizes. “I would like to go Division 1 school (NCAA) and hopefully the NFL and win a Superbowl,” he said. “I would love to attend Oregon, Ohio State or Baylor.”

He added that, “I would like to be the best player I possibly can be.”

Until then, Bennett is focused on securing the win for his team and playing to the best of his ability. His personal goal is to get “at least 1 interception and 10 total tackles.”

And when his team steps out onto the field, the goal is simple Bennett said, win and dominate.

Advocating for football prospects one story at a time.

Leave a Reply