A pair of get-it-done players on the gridiron are the latest CSM Fall Athletes of the Week Presented by Dominos with Princeville’s Jett Benningfield and Manual’s Breyasia Grayson winning the honors after receiving the most votes in their respective polls.
The wide receiver Benningfield helped Princeville pick up win No. 7 of the season in a rivalry game against Stark County, which the Princes won 33-22. Grayson also did damage catching the ball as her Rams went on a playoff run to the regional championship game in the IHSA’s first sanctioned season of girls flag football.
Read more about our winners and get to know them in Q and A’s below:
Benningfield won CSM Boys Athlete of the Week with 42 percent of the vote total in the boys athlete of the week poll. The Princes’ junior wide receiver was a touchdown magnet in a 33-22 win over previously unbeaten Stark County on Oct. 11, catching three touchdown passes on three receptions from quarterback Jake Williams for 71 yards. Benningfield caught a 48-yard touchdown on Princeville’s first play from scrimmage and added scores of one and 22 yards, plus a two-point conversion, through the air to give the Princes an early 21-0 lead. Through eight games this season, Benningfield has caught 22 passes for 379 yards and eight touchdowns for the 7-1 Princes.
Get to know Benningfield in a Q and A here:
What’s been your favorite memory of the season/offseason so far?
“My favorite memory of the season has to be beating Stark county when I had three touchdowns against them. It meant a lot to me to beat them after they took us out of the first round of the playoffs last year and losing again before that. Especially having three touchdowns, it is a game I can’t forget.”
If you had to be stranded on an island with a teammate, who would it be and why?
“If I were stranded on an island, I would be with my teammate Logan Olshawsky because we go camping all of the time and catch and cook our own food. I think we would do just fine.”
Favorite music artist?
“My favorite music artist is [older music] from Kanye [West].”
Favorite food?
“Has to be tacos.”
Do you have any pregame routines/rituals?
“I don’t have a crazy pre-game routine or ritual, I usually just throw the ball as far as I can while our kickers warm up.”
Who’s your favorite college or professional sports team?
“My favorite college team is the University of Illinois because it is local and a past player from our school [offensive lineman Kellen Francis] is there.”
Do you have any hidden talents?
“My hidden talent is that I’m a pretty great fisherman.”
Who’s your role model and why?
“My role model is my grandpa because he always makes people happy, he is respectful to others, and he helps out whenever he is able…very good traits to have.”
Grayson won CSM Girls Athlete of the Week after receiving 39 percent of the votes in the girls athlete of the week poll. The multi-sport athlete at Manual who also plays basketball and runs track was arguably the Rams’ biggest reason why their flag football team made a run to the Kankakee Regional championship game as the No. 9 seed. Grayson put up stat lines 100 receiving yards, a touchdown and an interception not just once, but twice in wins over No. 6 seed Peoria High (10-8) in No. 1 seed Belleville East (20-14). The Manual junior led the team in rushing and receiving yards in their first season.
Get to know Grayson in a Q and A here:
What’s been your favorite memory of the season/offseason so far?
“My favorite memory is us being the underdogs being at the bottom of the rankings just for us to come back and make it all the way to regionals.”
If you had to be stranded on an island with a teammate, who would it be and why?
“If I was stranded on a island, I would pick Breasia White to be with me because she’s funny and always keeps me in a good mood.”
Favorite music artist?
“Rod Wave.”
Favorite food?
“Seafood.”
Do you have any pregame routines/rituals?
“Yes, me and my teammates pray before each game.”
Who’s your favorite college or professional athlete?
“My favorite college player is Flau’jae Johnson and professional player is Angel Reese.”
Do you have any hidden talents?
“No.”
Who’s your role model and why?
“My biggest role model would be my mom because she’s hard-working, she’s always there for people when they need her, she’s supportive, and she’s very smart.”
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