GLENN RUSSELL, Free Press Staff

Benoit Lifts CVU Football

By Mike Donoghue for the Burlington Free Press

Champlain Valley Union running back J.P. Benoit wanted to remember his grandmother, who died Thursday, in a special way.

The senior speedster scored three touchdowns Saturday as the Redhawks posted a 21-3 win over Mount Mansfield in a Division II high school football contest.

The loss of his grandmother Marilyn Palmer, a longtime Hinesburg resident, was clearly on his mind as Benoit arrived at the field several hours early and recollected earlier times with her.

“I switched my (uniform) number from 21 to 17 because it was her softball number. It meant a lot,” said Benoit, who scored on a 31-yard punt return, a 1-yard run and a 9-yard pass.

“I was expecting it to be a lot closer,” said Benoit, who finished with 17 rushes for 116 yards. Quarterback Konnor Fleming had 10 carries for 43 yards.

“He was playing like a man possessed. It doesn’t surprise me at all,” CVU head coach Jim Provost said. “He’s had a really rough week and dedicated the game to his grandmother. He played like it. I’m proud of him.”

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