Twenty-seven interceptions make quite the statement.
But senior strong safety Connor Reid and the rest of Benet’s defense knew all too well where the bar had been raised.
“Over the summer, our coaches expected actually more than last year’s team,” Reid said. “They expected us to be better because last year was a new defense, so we were just learning it.
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“But now, since we’re returners, we’ve mastered it from last year.”
Last season, Benet produced 27 interceptions en route to the Class 7A state semifinals. This season has proven to be just as bountiful. Six players have combined for 17 interceptions to make life tough on opposing quarterbacks.
The scheme installed by co-defensive coordinators Jeff Hembrough and John Nestor for Benet (6-3) has fit the 6-foot-1, 205-pound Reid like a glove. He has 63 tackles to go with nine interceptions.
Two interceptions in Benet’s 38-21 victory at Carmel last Friday has Reid on the brink of tying the program record.
Now tied for second with Anthony Melchiorre and Mike Murphy with nine interceptions, Reid is one off Mike Landry’s single-season mark of 10 set in 1983.
He’ll get his chance at the record at 7 p.m. Friday when 17th-seeded Benet takes on 16th-seeded Maine West (7-2) in the first round of the Class 7A playoffs in Des Plaines.
“We’ve been really pleased with his play all year,” Benet coach Pat New said of Reid. “It’s tough when teams throw the ball in the air. It’s a risk because he just seems to have a nose for the ball.”
Ben Cooney, a senior cornerback, appreciates what he’s seen from Reid. Cooney had eight interceptions as a junior, so he understands being active in the secondary.
“All the interceptions (Reid) get (stands out),” Cooney said. “He’s great in coverage, but the other thing people don’t notice as much because of the interceptions, he makes a ton of tackles in the backfield.
“He’s one of our force guys, so he’s always coming up to stop the run. So he’s kind of doing everything for our defense.”
Reid doesn’t shy away from his strength.
“I’ve always wanted to go for those picks,” he said. “And I’ve always had that knack to make those big plays for us.”
Thrown into the fire at Nazareth after senior Matt Boyle broke his thumb, sophomore quarterback Colin Gillespie also keeps growing.
And battling the secondary in practice has done nothing but help.
“He’s so versatile,” Gillespie said of Reid. “He really can do anything he wants.”
Benet’s trip to the state semifinals last season has provided motivation all year long.
Led by Reid, the defense is ready for an encore.
Blake Baumgartner is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.