Ben Peterson, who’s entering his junior year at quarterback, would have loved to play a bigger role last season as Geneva reached the Class 6A state championship game.
With Roosevelt recruit Tony Chahino putting together a stellar senior season as the Vikings’ starting quarterback, however, Peterson had to sit back and learn as a sophomore.
That hasn’t stopped him from already getting a handful of Division I offers despite not having the requisite varsity experience. But it’s his show now — and he’s ready to shine.
“I think this is my time to show everyone why I got those offers in the first place,” Peterson said. “I haven’t had any varsity film, but I have been playing really well freshman and sophomore year.”
The 6-foot-4, 200-pound Peterson pointed out that being called up for the postseason and picking the brain of Chahino helped him become super prepared for this chance to lead Geneva, which checks in at No. 3 in the Beacon-News/Courier-News preseason rankings.
“Just sitting back and watching, it was great,” Peterson said. “(Chahino) helped me out with a lot of things. They brought our whole sophomore team up because we did really well in our season.
“They brought us up to watch them and help them run scout stuff. Even when I was just sitting on the sidelines, he’d come back and we’d talk about things and he’d help me.”
That experience has put Peterson in a position to break out as a junior for the Vikings. He has the size people look for in the position, but he’s also athletic enough to be a threat in the run game.
All of it has Geneva coach Boone Thorgesen excited about the possibilities.
“Very smart player,” Thorgesen said of Peterson. “He’s an athletic kid for his size. He can move around. He can scramble. He has a strong arm.
“He’s definitely a prototypical kid that you want to play quarterback. He can make all the throws and move enough to evade the rush and keep a play alive, so that makes him very dangerous.”
Peterson’s top target is junior receiver Bennett Konkey. The two grew up playing football but ended up being separated when they went the high school as Konkey made varsity right away.
But he’s happy to be together again with his old friend.
“I’m so excited to be back with him,” Konkey said. “It’s going to be great. It’s impressive. He’s crazy. His ball placement, his timing, everything is just perfect. We’re going to be great this year.”
Konkey was technically the third receiver last year for Geneva behind Talyn Taylor, who’s making an impact as a freshman at Georgia, and Finnegan Weppner.
Peterson confirmed he will rely heavily on Konkey, who’s surrounded by a young supporting cast.
“He’s super fast,” Peterson said of Konkey. “We’re going to try to get him the ball as much as we can this season — let him do his thing.
“I’m glad I get to play with him again. It’s been a couple years since I’ve thrown him the ball.”
Thorgesen knows how important Konkey’s play will be in Peterson’s development as his role expands this season. That’s not all, though.
“He’s ready to step into that role,” Thorgesen said of Konkey. “He’s as talented a receiver as you like to see at the high school level. He’s going to have a big year.
“Not only can he really run, but he’s really improved his route running and his hands. He really is the total package.”
Peterson realizes people may not think the Vikings can replicate the success they had last season after heavy graduation losses. And that doesn’t matter to him, either.
“We’re trying to make our own mark,” Peterson said. “But I think we can repeat what we did last year, especially with the guys we’ve got.
“I’m a little nervous, a little excited. But if you’re not nervous, then you don’t love it.”
Quick hits
Team: Geneva.
2024 record: 12-2.
Offensive leaders: Dominic DiLeonardi, senior, running back; Nick Elliott, senior, lineman; Bennett Konkey, junior, wide receiver; Lincoln Mercado, junior, tight end; Cameron Ziegler, senior, lineman.
Defensive leaders: Tyler Drake, senior, linebacker; Lex Griffith, senior, lineman; Dylan Reyes, senior, defensive back; Dane Turner, senior, defensive back; Nelson Wendell, junior, linebacker.
X-factor: Ben Peterson, junior, quarterback.
Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
