Football: Mater Dei fans should be excited about Ben Humphreys

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Seemingly every season, Santa Ana Mater Dei unveils a young player for its fans to get excited about. This season, it’s sophomore receiver-defensive back Ben Humphreys.

He has made major contributions at receiver and linebacker. At 6 feet 2, 200 pounds, with a great IQ on the field and in the classroom, he projects as Mater Dei’s next outstanding college prospect.

‘He’s opened the season in solid fashion,’ Coach Bruce Rollinson said. ‘Each game, he’s getting better with experience. In two games, he’s made a substantial contribution.’

On defense, he can allow standout Thomas Duarte a breather. On offense, he adds another weapon.

‘What pleases us is he allows us to have a quality backup for Duarte to get him off the field when we need to,’ Rollinson said. ‘His football intelligence is at a high level, along with his academic intelligence. It allows us to play him on both sides of the ball. He knows multiple receiver positions, and we can feature him in different packages.’

Mater Dei is 2-0 and trying to be 3-0 for the first time since the 2007 season.

‘It’s a beautiful thing,’ Rollinson said.

-- Eric Sondheimer