High school football: Highland's Ben Coyne is combo of brains, brawn

Ben Coyne is a man's man. He's 6-foot-4, 255 pounds, starts at offensive right tackle for the Highland football team, loves nothing more than to bury opposing defenders into the FieldTurf and even owns beyond-his-years grilling skills. The senior also has a 4.5-grade point average due to a schedule loaded with advanced placement classes. His 1280 SAT score ranks in the 89th percentile and, perhaps most unique on the field, he makes all the pre-snap line audibles despite the center traditionally handling that role. While first-team All-Ohio left tackle Carson Noonan (6-3, 270) is a manchild and left guard Josh Messina (5-11, 240), center Ryan Zywiec (6-3, 260) and right guard Brady Bendau (6-0, 285) are maulers inside, they all look to Coyne to be the rock of a line that is in the conversation as best in school history. The second-seeded Hornets (11-0) will get another chance to add to their legacy Friday in a Division II, Region 6 quarterfinal against No. 10 Toledo St. Francis de Sales (8-3) in Coyne's final game under the lights at North Gateway Tire Field. They're locked, loaded and ready to roll. "It's funny," Coyne said. "Normally in the classroom, I'm quiet and sit in the back of the classroom and listen to the teacher and all that. "On the field, it's a completely different story. There is just something that angers me about it. Whenever I walk on the field, I'm ready to go and get after it." Coyne is the unsung hero considering Noonan and Zywiec grab headlines as two-way players, Bendau is an accomplished heavyweight wrestler and Messina is a starting defender for the lacrosse program. Jersey No. 58 is fine with that, however, because he'd rather challenge himself to be great than fight for the spotlight. Coyne was a second-team All-Suburban League American Conference selection as Highland went 10-3 and reached the Region 6 championship game last fall. An offer from D-II Clarion (Pa.) followed in May, but Coyne is open to playing for local D-III schools Case Western Reserve, John Carroll and Mount Union. When in the classroom, Coyne is laid back and attacks the task at hand, reveling in challenges that test his mental acumen. On the field, he's often the last to get in his stance because he's dissecting the defensive front to make sure his boys are all on the same page before unleashing fury. Considering the Hornets average 45.4 points and running back Casey Myser and quarterback Dylan Borla have obliterated numerous school records, whatever Coyne and Co. are doing is working. "It's funny, I'm always the last one to get down in my stance because I'm always trying to see the backers," a grinning Coyne said. "The backers normally have a tell if they're dropping back into coverage or if they're blitzing. You can also look at the overhang linebackers and see what they're doing. You're also always looking at what front they're in to determine how we're going to block." Coyne was honored with a relatively new Highland tradition that involves the position groups having their own cookouts on Thursday evenings. An honorary grilling spatula is passed down from a senior to an underclassmen, and Coyne received his from 2023 center Brodie Davis. While the cookouts may seem insignificant to outsiders, they're priceless for camaraderie throughout a long season. "They're great. They're amazing," said Coyne, adding he has yet to decide who will receive the spatula for next season. "It just builds our bond so much more than you'd ever think." Coyne isn't one to back down from a challenge, and he'll arguably get his biggest of the season Friday against St. Francis de Sales. Junior defensive end Jermaine Polk (6-3, 250) has a rare blend of size and quickness that has led to four D-I college offers, while nose tackle Deon Banks (5-10, 250) has proven to be a game-wrecker. Coyne raved about the talents of both. The Knights also tend to blitz from a variety of angles to help protect man coverage in the secondary — most high school teams play zone due to spread offenses — so Coyne's ability to read what's going to happen will be critical if Highland is going to score in bunches. Coyne, of course, can't wait to show what his team can do. He feels the Hornets are undefeated for a reason. "Last year, it was my first year playing — I'm brand new — so there were a lot of jitters," Coyne said. "You're worried going out onto the field that you're going to mess up. "This year, everyone is more calmed down. We have a better bond than last year, and everyone's excited to play. Everybody is happy to get out on the field together." Contact Albert Grindle at (330) 721-4043 or agrindle@medina-gazette.com.