Prep of the Week: Ben Nelson

(ABC 6 News) — When playing football, one is bound to get bruises. It’s just part of the game.

The bruise on Ben Nelson’s leg is simply a battle scar he takes in stride.

The senior is a four-year letterman of the KoMets football program and has seen both ups and downs. Recently, it’s been more ups as the team won the Section 1AAAA Championship last season and came one game away from winning the Class AAAA State Championship. They came out the gates in 2022 with a loss to rival Byron but they have since course-corrected with their eyes on the prize.

“We’re planning on being back there,” Nelson stated. “That loss against Byron is over and we’re going to pound all the teams we play.”

The senior plays on both sides of the ball, but he’s been a pivotal piece on the offensive line for a unit that’s eclipsed more than 1,200 yards in just four games.

“I’ve been starting since I was a sophomore and it’s just being there for all the guys up in front it’s awesome,” Nelson said. “We’re all close and stuff and it’s awesome getting pancakes, just big blocks and all that.”

“He’s very aggressive off the ball,” KoMets head coach Joel Swanson mentioned. “Which is a really positive thing in the option offense and hopefully he’s accepted this leadership of helping out the guys around him because our two guards are returning starters but our other three, this is the first time they’ve started on the varsity level.”

What may wow one more about Ben is that he’s yet to commit any sort of penalty. Furthermore, he’s yet to allow any quarterback pressures as well.

“Can’t do nothing without the o-line right?” KoMets QB Kyle Nelson added. “It makes my job [a] heck of a lot easier. He’s been here a while so he kinda knows the reins, knows his job. So with that, he’s been a leader, been here a long time helping everybody out. So when he does his job it makes my job easier, it makes everybody around him a lot easier so he’s really helping us out.”

As the football season inches closer to a conclusion, Ben is relishing his final days donning the KoMet uniform and the home-field advantage of KM Telecom Stadium.

“The place is always packed and it’s always really loud our student section is crazy and it’s just always been fun to play here,” Ben summarized. “It was awesome watching the older guys when I was younger and it’s so surreal now playing right now.”