After coming within one game of a state championship a season ago, Lincoln senior Benjamin Bell enters his final high school football season with unfinished business.
For Bell, the motivation goes beyond wins and statistics. As he prepares to wear the Lincoln Leopard uniform one last time, he wants to leave a lasting impact on everyone connected to the program.
“I am most excited to put on the Lincoln Leopard uniform for one last year and represent God, my family, my coaches, my friends, my school and my community and bring excitement and joy for those watching me play football,” Bell said. “I’m also looking forward to taking a bigger leadership role and teaching the next generation of Lincoln Leopards some of the stuff I know.”
That leadership has been evident throughout the offseason. Bell has been a fixture in Lincoln’s team workouts and weightlifting sessions while also making weekly trips to Moundridge to train with Kegan Schumann at Revive Performance. He supplemented those workouts by attending multiple college camps, using every opportunity to sharpen his game.
“I have been practicing and lifting with the team, as well as going down to Moundridge every week to work out with Kegan Schumann and Revive Performance,” Bell said. “Additionally, I attended and performed at many college-level camps and have taken what I learned and shared it with my team.”
While Bell has already established himself as one of the top two-way players in Kansas eight-man football, he focused on refining the mental side of the game this offseason.
“I wanted to improve on my football IQ, learn how to read opposing offenses, as well as work on my technique at both wide receiver and safety,” Bell said. “To work on those, I have talked with respected high school and college coaches in my area, picking their brains and learning techniques and IQ.”
The results from last season illustrate why Bell is one of the state’s premier playmakers.
Despite playing only 35 quarters because of numerous mercy-rule victories, Bell rushed for 503 yards and six touchdowns on just 48 carries, averaging 10.5 yards per attempt. As a receiver, he hauled in 43 receptions for 783 yards and seven touchdowns, averaging 18.2 yards per catch.
Defensively, Bell was equally dominant, recording 117 tackles and seven interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown. His performance earned him first-team All-State honors at defensive back in Eight-Man Division I.
Still, Bell’s focus isn’t on individual accolades.
The sting of finishing as state runner-up continues to fuel both him and his teammates.
“My goal for the team is to win a state championship,” Bell said. “We were so close last year, and it’s a gut-wrenching feeling having to live with the feeling of second place.”
Although team success remains the priority, Bell has set high personal expectations as well.
“Personally, some of my goals are to be a huge part in my team’s success, as well as earn all-state recognition,” he said.
