Marian Central’s Bentancur should see the ball plenty this season

WOODSTOCK – One practice in mid-March was all it took for Christian Bentancur to make a favorable impression.

Some injuries at wide receiver prompted Marian Central coach Darren Fortin to call Bentancur, who had been working with the junior varsity, up to the big club.

It immediately became apparent that the 6-foot-3, 190-pound freshman was not going back to JV.

“He was awesome,” quarterback Brendan Hernon said. “He showed out at practice. That first practice we knew he was going to be really good.”

Bentancur caught 36 passes, eight of which went for touchdowns, both area-high totals. He earned Northwest Herald All-Area first-team offense honors. Only Prairie Ridge quarterback Taidghin Trost (11), Richmond-Burton fullback Brock Wood (10) and Huntley running back Alex Janke (nine) scored more TDs among local players.

Hernon likely will be looking Bentancur’s way a lot this fall as the Hurricanes (2-3 in the spring) try to get back to the playoffs for the first time since 2017. Even with a move to the CCL/ESCC Red Division, Marian’s schedule is challenging, with nondivision games against IC Catholic, Providence, St. Rita and Fenwick.

The Hurricanes also are looking for a Week 4 game with the closing of St. Joseph, which would have been in the Red Division.

“No. 1, it’s nice to be working in the fall. It’s good to be here, it feels comfortable,” said Fortin, after the COVID-19 pandemic pushed the 2020 fall season to spring 2021. “It’s great to get the numbers back because you’re not competing with other sports.”

Bentancur averaged 17.2 points and 6.6 rebounds a game for the Hurricanes’ varsity basketball team right before going out to lead the area in receptions.

Fortin thought playing varsity basketball benefited Bentancur, helping him get accustomed to playing against bigger and stronger athletes.

“When we put him in there it was amazing, how he adjusted to the ball,” Fortin said. “Things you can’t teach. Long range, he’d go after the ball. We thought, ‘Let’s give him a shot out there.’ He did a phenomenal job.”

Bentancur wants to look ahead rather than regard his freshman accomplishments.

“You have to prove yourself when you’re the young guy, prove you’re the best and try to be the best out there,” Bentancur said. “I’ve been working hard. Hopefully in the new year even better things will come for us and the team. We can do some real damage this year. We have to keep working hard every practice, keep lifting, keep working.”

After Thursday’s practice, Hernon and sophomore backup quarterback Cale McThenia, who draws high praise from Fortin, threw to Bentancur and other receivers.

Offensive lineman Luke Dalton, a 6-foot-5, 290-pound senior who committed to Cincinnati on Sunday, smiled when he watched his teammates.

“Guys running routes after practice, putting in extra work, that kind of stuff is special,” Dalton said. “We’re in a much better spot than we were last spring and an even better spot than in 2019. I’d love to see us get to five wins. Knowing our schedule, we get in the playoffs, we get more realistic teams. I’d love to get some more wins.”

Hernon, a third-year starter, ranked sixth on the area rushing list with 530 yards in the spring. He also threw for 815 yards. Running back Dante Ricciardi rushed for 348 yards.

Dalton, R.J. Miner and Jack Hayden return on the offensive line, and junior Ryder Schingoethe is an addition who should help.

Hernon looks forward to leading the offense and hooking up often with Bentancur.

“He’s really smart, he runs really good routes, he knows everything,” Hernon said. “He catches everything. But the best thing is he knows where to go. We have a good connection.”

Fortin really appreciates the way Bentancur is able to use his size to an advantage.

“Like any young guy, he’s still learning it,” Fortin said. “He has to learn where the window is on a cover-2 and a cover-3. You have to understand what to do in man [coverage]. The uncanny thing he has is being able to go up and get the ball in a crowd. His catch at Marengo was unbelievable, between two defenders on the way down, and they had the ball played well, and somehow he came down with it. It was great to watch.”