There weren’t a ton of bright spots for South Hardin on Friday afternoon, but one couldn’t leave its matchup with West Lyon and say the Wildcats went untested. Sam Benson was a key reason why.

The senior receiver and defensive back hybrid showed off the ball skills that carried he and the ariel attack of the Tigers all season long — on offense and defense. Hauling in some difficult catches to finish with three catches for 51 yards, along with an interception he contorted his body to high point and haul in, Benson was effective on both sides of the ball. He finished with nine tackles, as well.

With the seventh-most receiving yards in all classes on just 20 catches so far this season, Samuel Benson Samuel Benson 6'2" | 190 lbs | WR/DB South Hardin | 2026 IA of South Hardin has registered 550 yards on 27.5 yards per catch to start the year. Benson is right up there with Ethan Headings Ethan Headings 6'2" | 190 lbs | ATH Iowa City West | 2026 State IA (who we previously highlighted as an offensive stock-riser), who has caught 27 passes or 746 yards and eight touchdowns, averaging 27.6 yards per catch for Iowa City West.

That, and just under 50% of his catches have been touchdowns, as he’s already caught eight so far this season.

A fixture in the offense for the Tigers since his sophomore campaign, Benson broke onto the scene as a junior in 2024 with 54 catches for 1,003 yards and ten scores, and he’s on pace to surpass those numbers in a big way this fall. If South Hardin can continue their team success into the playoffs, he should blow those numbers out of the water. Undefeated through five games so far, the Tigers are set to take on the 1A defending champions this Friday at Grundy Center for the Spartans’ homecoming.

After finishing with 54 catches for 1,003 yards and ten touchdowns in 2024, Samuel Benson Samuel Benson 6'2" | 190 lbs | WR/DB South Hardin | 2026 IA is the top receiver whose team is staying in 1A.

Quarterback, Peyton Welch’s primary target in the passing game last fall, Benson out-produced his nearest pass-catching teammates by nearly 40 catches, over 800 yards and at least six touchdowns. The safety net for Welch when the pocket collapsed and his go-to in any other normal passing situation, it’s a wonder the 6’2″, 190-pound wideout didn’t face more double-coverage in 2024. With the ability to track the deep ball, a wide catch-radius and his knack for late extension to grab passes, Benson is one of the more natural receivers in this class.

Benson hauled in 54 catches for 1,003 yards and 10 touchdowns as a junior in 2025. He also delivered 42 solo tackles (1.0 TFL) and intercepted five passes. Benson’s 11th-grade highlight video features a versatile athlete capable of helping a college program in all three phases. As a receiver, he sells his routes, running them crisply and getting defensive backs out of position early. When they stick with Benson, his frame helps him win contested throws. Benson looks solid as a safety, too, thanks to sound technique and a knack for diagnosing of plays quickly.