While Villanova and North Carolina were advancing to March Madness finals in Houston, closer to home a group of talented UTC football players had their sights set on a hoops title of their own.
Led by quarterback Alejandro Bennifield (6-2, Lovejoy HS), James Stovall (6-3, Bradley Central- all-region), Keionta Davis (6-4, Red Bank), D.J. Prather (6-4, Gordon Central – all-county) and C.J. Board (6-2, West Creek HS – all-district), the gridiron greats went undefeated in the regular season (6-0) and met the UTC men’s basketball coaches for the intramural title during March Madness and just before spring practice.
“We lost to the coaches last year in the semis and we were determined to win it all this year and we did,” said Stovall who led the Mocs in touchdown receptions last fall (4), including two against Fordham in the playoffs and was third in reception yards (428).
What Might Have Been: Bennifield was on track to play college basketball, but injuries prior to his freshman and sophomore basketball seasons ended those hopes.
“My goal in high school was to play college basketball, but after a couple of injuries (ankle and right shoulder) I focused on football (led Lovejoy HS (Ga.) to a pair of state runner-up finishes as a junior and senior),” said Bennifield who played point guard on the intramural title team averaging 15 points a game and was region champ for Lovejoy in the discus and triple jump.
“Not many schools showed an interest in me after my junior season, but I attended the UTC summer camp prior to my senior year and signed scholarship papers that summer.”
The intramural football champs received a t-shirt and photo for the winning efforts and come fall they want much more – another Southern Conference championship and ring and another shot at a national championship.
Blue Gold Spring Game: Bennifield, Stovall and the rest of the Mocs will participate in the annual Blue Gold Spring Football Game Saturday at 2 p.m at Finley Stadium.
contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@comcast.net