Playing the rest of his high school career in the southern United States, where football is akin to a religion, will give Klassen a better opportunity to fulfill his dream of earning an NCAA Division 1 scholarship, he said. note.
In order to pursue his dream of playing professional football in the future, Airdrie quarterback Ben Klassen moves to the United States to attend a private prep school with an elite athletics department.
The sophomore quarterback will spend his 11th year in Lilburn, Georgia, studying at Providence Christian Academy and playing for the school’s 5A football team – the Providence Christian Storm – under the new head coach. Joe Sturdivant.
Klassen, who was the Chargers’ starting center from Bert Church during his 10th grade season last fall, said the opportunity to attend the Georgia-based private school arose after he was scouted during tryouts. for the Alberta U16 team last summer.
After a visit to the Providence Christian campus and a meeting with Sturdivant, he said he knew the Storm was the right program for him.
“I like his philosophy and his offensive style,” Klassen said. “He was very interested in me and was committed to helping me develop. I just thought it was the right choice.
Providence Christian is known for its athletic programs — its boys’ basketball program is one of the top-ranked prep teams in Georgia, according to Klassen.
“Now they are trying to do that with their football program, bringing in this coach,” he said. “I’m very excited to be a part of it.”
Klassen said he would likely move to Lilburn in mid to late July in order to attend the Storm’s pre-season training camp before the school year and the start of the football season in August.
Playing the rest of his high school career in the southern United States, where football is akin to a religion, will give Klassen a better opportunity to fulfill his dream of earning an NCAA Division 1 scholarship, he said. note.
“That’s my goal – to play in Division 1 and pursue my football career as far as possible,” Klassen said. “I think this will give me the best chance of achieving those aspirations, which is why I’m taking a chance.”
Bert Church’s football coach Tony Lucas said the Chargers will definitely miss Klassen on the grill and in the locker room next season, but added the school wants the sophomore quarterback to do well. .
“What can you do? If someone has an opportunity, they have to take it,” he said. “We just wish the best for him, and that he remembers us when he gets famous. “
He added that Klassen has the technical and physical skills to be a great quarterback, but what sets him apart is his competitive spirit and love of the game.
“I’ve coached a lot of quarterbacks over the years, and I have to say he’s at the top when it comes to competitiveness and the desire to succeed,” Lucas said. “He loves the game. Those two things really made his training enjoyable.
Head coach Bert Church also touted Klassen’s tenacity, using an example from last season where he shoved his way into the end zone on a key play for a Chargers touchdown, despite a few bumps opposing defenders as an example.
“We had a game this year where he got knocked out at halftime scoring a touchdown where he ran over three guys on the last play of halftime,” he said. “If we don’t get that touchdown, we don’t win the game.”
Before Klassen heads south, he’ll enjoy one last hurray of local football as he prepares to play for the Airdrie Raiders midget team this spring, alongside several of his Bert Church teammates.
The 10th year student-athlete said he wanted to thank his family, coaches and teammates for supporting him throughout his football journey, adding that the opportunity to attend Providence Christian Academy does not would not be possible without them.
“My teammates at Bert and my coaches there as well, they helped me get the film I needed to get those schools interested in me,” he said. “I will miss them very much, but they are the main reason I have this opportunity and I’m really grateful.”