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Plano football duo teammates for long haul
BY Kevin Hageland, khageland@acnpapers.com
Plano Senior seniors Kelton Reed and Josh Benson have a lot in common these days.
Both Wildcats are going to the same school, to play the same sport after each made the decision in the last couple weeks.
But the circumstances that brought Reed and Benson to Kansas Wesleyan appear more driven by fate than a coordinated plan between the two.
Benson was quick to add, “I had no idea Kelton was going there when I committed.”
That Reed and Benson wouldn’t know of the other’s plan is understandable considering both had to make quick decisions.
Benson had been in contact with Kansas Wesleyan and got the call to come visit last weekend. Reed followed a similar path with his call coming a few weeks prior. The duo made their visits and came away equally impressed.
“All the people I met there were very nice,” Reed said.
That niceness trickles over to the football team as well as senior Coyotes have a tradition of helping the freshman players move into their dorms.
While Reed was impressed with the people, Benson came away most impressed with the school itself.
“It is a really nice campus,” he said. “Plus they have a new student center, a new fountain and even new jerseys for the football team.”
Benson, who made his visit on Monday and Tuesday of this week, got an opportunity to talk at length with the Coyotes coaching staff and meet several of his prospective teammates.
Each player came to their own individual conclusion that Kansas Wesleyan was the place for them.
And then they found out about the other’s decision.
“I was very excited when I heard Kelton was going there too,” Benson said.
A sentiment shared by his current and future teammate.
“I was so excited,” Reed said. “I thought I was going to be up there by myself.”
Had it not been for Kansas Wesleyan, Reed and Benson could very well have been by themselves at completely different schools.
Reed, who has played football since he could walk, was considering walking on at Tulsa but admits, “the thought of just going to school and not playing football did cross my mind.”
Benson, who had also talked with Howard Payne, didn’t share such visions of his college future.
“Not playing wasn’t an option for me,” he said. “It is my dream to play ball in college.”
That’s why making the trek up to Salina, Kan. didn’t bother him.
“To me, distance was not a concern,” Benson said. “Plus, my parents said they would be at every game.”
Benson’s mom, Kemberly Wilshire, was on hand to confirm her willingness to make the 15-hour roundtrip drive each Saturday.
“Yes, it is a long haul,” she said, “but I have made it to every game of Josh’s I possibly could since he was in second grade.”
Outside of visiting for football, Wilshire knows her son will be on his own.
“It’s good for Josh to get some more independence,” she said. “I know it is a bit far, but he will always still be a phone call away.”
And Benson won’t be completely alone as he and Reed have already agreed to live together.
“Of course,” Reed said. “It’s going to be great to room with someone I have known since I was in ninth grade.”
And considering the Wildcats duo already has their television picked out, smooth sailing can be expected for the remainder of their decisions.
Selecting a TV isn’t the only crucial choice the soon-to-be Coyotes have made as both have majors in mind. Benson will study criminal justice, with an eye on getting involved in the investigation field following graduation, while Reed will major in athletic training.
“Maybe I can tape us up on the side,” he said with a laugh.
Though they took different routes before signing together this week, it isn’t surprising that Reed and Benson are both remaining on the athletic path.
“It was a big sigh of relief to get this done,” Reed said. “I think my life would be pretty empty without sports.
The same might be said about Benson.
“After the season ended this past year I was heartbroken for Josh that it was over,” Wilshire said. “But now he gets to go on and play again. That’s his dream and seeing him accomplish that is what makes me happiest.
“This is the next step of Josh’s life and it is a good setup for him. For both of them.”
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