As long as there is a Bensman calling plays at Pope, the Greyhounds are going to be OK.
Last year it was quarterback Riley Bensman who led Pope to its first flag football championship. This time it was her sister, junior Abbey Bensman, who threw two touchdown passes and guided the Greyhounds to a 19-6 win over Pace Academy in the Division 3 final on Tuesday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
“Having a good quarterback is one of the things that is vital,” Pope coach Kevin Fraser said. “There were two of the best quarterbacks in the state in this game and that’s not a coincidence. Abbey has only been playing quarterback for six months, so we get a whole other year of her.”
Bensman completed 10 of 16 passes for 95 yards and two touchdowns, giving her 83 this season. She played on last year’s team and moved into a more high-profile role this fall.
“It means so much,” Bensman said. “I love everyone on the team, all my teammates, the coaches, all the fans who come out and support us. It’s honestly an honor being on this team.”
Pope (26-2) also got 34 yards rushing from Claire Huebecker, who caught two passes. Sarah Gentry completed two passes for 16 yards and intercepted a pass.
Pace Academy (21-4) was led by quarterback Harper Auchincloss, who completed 13 of 28 passes for 157 yards and one score. Katharine Nuckols, Lucy Fleming and Kiyah Burrell each had three receptions. Burrell had a game-high seven tackles.
The team swapped interceptions in the first quarter. Pace’s Lucy Fleming picked off Bensman on the first possession, but Pope’s Gentry returned the favor with a pick to end Pace’s first drive.
Pope converted that turnover into points whe Bensman found Julia Acker for a 6-yard touchdown. After Pace turned the ball over on downs, Pope took advantage of the short field and scored on a 23-yard pass from Bensman to Addie Daughtry, who was wide open for the score.
Pope put the game away with a fourth-quarter touchdown, a 1-yard run by Gentry.
Pace Academy got its only touchdown with 4:15 remaining on a 13-yard pass from Auchincloss to Fleming.
The program continues to be a family affair. Fraser’s father is even part of the coaching staff.
“They work hard and keep things going,” he said. “Our girls are so smart. Our team GPA is over 4.0 and they’re great kids, great families, great support. All that comes together kind of builds something pretty special, culture wise, and we were able to kind of use that as momentum.”
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