Benet senior Marty Dosen has found the right fit at an unfamiliar position.
After being exclusively a running back, Dosen was asked in the aftermath of last season to move to slot receiver.
“It wasn’t something I was really expecting,” Dosen said. “It’s my first time ever playing wide receiver. I like to say I have pretty good hands so I think I can do it.”
So far, so good.
Dosen’s agreeable shift to a hybrid position in the slot allows Benet to keep two-way standout Alec McEachern between the tackles, where he emerged late last season at running back.
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It seems the ideal scenario for both players’ skill sets. Coupled with Jack Sznajder’s return for his third season at quarterback, it has Benet looking to build on an offense that scored over 24 points per game last year.
“If everything goes well we’re going to have an explosive offense,” Dosen said. “Alec is a force and hopefully I can do some damage.”
Dosen rushed for 607 yards, but was sidelined by a hip pointer in Week 7. McEachern stepped in and bulled his way to 171 yards against Carmel and 197 in a first-round playoff win.
Dosen’s new position seems more conducive to the 5-foot-10, 190-pounder’s abilities.
The slot in Benet’s offense does everything a receiver does: catch screens, run short routes, occasionally go deep. But it also fills the role of an outside running back. Expect to see a heavy dose of Dosen on jet sweeps and reverses.
“He’s an explosive player — this allows us to do more stuff with him as a perimeter runner,” Benet coach Pat New said. “That’s really his thing.”
Dosen learned under an accomplished mentor to prepare for his new position.
His dad works with the dad of Jon Schweighardt, the former Wheaton Warrenville South and Northwestern star. Dosen practiced running routes and getting his hands in the right spot with Schweighardt.
“He got me acclimated to the position of wide receiver and the conditioning that goes with it,” Dosen said. “It was a privilege to work with him.”
Sznajder, who has started 21 straight varsity games, threw for 1,784 yards and 14 touchdowns as a junior. He looks forward to working with Dosen the receiver.
“He has great speed, good moves and once he’s out in space he’s hard to bring down,” Sznajder said. “He’s a threat out there.”
Sznajder, who has filled out to 205 pounds, is poised to be a bigger running threat and should spread the wealth when he passes.
CJ Birck is a returning receiver, and 6-7 junior Jack Eschenbach could stretch the field. Benet’s biggest concern offensively is along the line, with only two returnees.
Among six starters back defensively is all-conference linebacker Nick Liszka. Three-fourths of the secondary returns, led by McEachern, Erik Jones and Danny O’Malley.
Benet will face the usual East Suburban Catholic gauntlet, led by two-time defending state champion Nazareth, Class 8A finalist Marist and perennial power Joliet Catholic. The Redwings hope to reach the playoffs for a fifth straight season.
“We took some steps last year,” Sznajder said. “This year with the experience we have we’re looking forward to great things.”
Joshua Welge is a freelance writer for the Naperville Sun.
BENET
Last season: 8-3 (5-2 East Suburban Catholic).
Playoffs: Lost 35-17 to Cary-Grove in second round in Class 7A.
Coach: Pat New, seventh year, 37-26.
Players to watch: Alec McEachern, senior, running back/defensive back; Jack Sznajder, senior, quarterback; Marty Dosen, senior, wide receiver/running back; Ryan Liszka, senior, linebacker; Erik Jones, senior, defensive back.
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Schedule: (x-denotes East Suburban Catholic game, all begin at 7:30 p.m. unless noted). Aug. 26: St. Laurence; Sept. 2: x-Notre Dame; Sept. 9: x-at Marian Central; Sept. 16: x-St. Viator; Sept. 23: x-Nazareth; Sept. 30: x-at Marian Catholic; Oct. 7: x-Joliet Catholic; Oct. 14: x-at Marist; Oct. 21: x-Carmel.