Benaiah Amantea (left) will be plating football and studying in a trades program at the U of C. (Photo provided by the Holy Spirit Catholic School Division)

By Joel Mendelson

Catholic Central football player to play at University of Calgary

Feb 9, 2024 | 11:09 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Catholic Central High School (CCH) student and offensive lineman Benaiah Amantea has signed a letter of intent to play football for the University of Calgary Dinos (U of C).

The 6’8’’ lineman said, “This is probably the best feeling I’ve ever felt playing football, so I’m really excited to do this.”

Amantea said he is most looking forward to the intensity of the collegiate level of play. He remarked, “I can’t wait for the competition.”

He continued, “It’s a way different environment when you have a whole roster that got recruited the same as you. They’ve gone through the whole process and the level of skill will give me a huge chance to get better.”

Amantea was quite successful throughout his high school career. He was named a Southern Alberta High School Football League All-Star in both 2022 and 2023. He was also named the 2023 CCH Lineman of the Year and a member of Team Alberta in 2022 and 2023.

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Amantea will be studying a trades program at the U of C . He expressed that it was his intent to attend the Calgary post-secondary regardless of whether or not he was playing football.

He said, “The main decision, besides all the programs and the school, was the city. I like the city of Calgary and I had plans to move there either way, so once I got the offer to Calgary, I kind of already knew what I was going to do.”

Dustin Ledsham is one of the football coaches at CCH. He said this is a bittersweet announcement.

Ledsham said, “It’s tough losing a player like that, makes a big difference on the field, a big impact, but we’re all happy for him.”

He continued, “That’s our goal in the end, is to have kids go and play post-secondary so it’s great to see players like Ben go and excel after high school. Hopefully our future players will come in and look up at Ben and see that this is possible for them as well.”

Amantea will hit the field in Calgary in the spring.

Read more local sports at Lethbridge News Now.

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