JIM DiBenedetto has been coaching football for a long time and has dealt with virtually every situation. Today, however, he’ll face a new challenge.
“I’ve never coached a home game,” said DiBenedetto, who has been the head coach at Brooklyn Tech for 17 years. “I have no idea how I’ll deal with that or how the players will, either.”
For 78 years, the Engineers have played without a home field. They traveled like nomads throughout Brooklyn until this year, when their field, located several blocks away from the school, was completed just before the season began.
The team’s first home game was slated for Sept. 15 against Midwood, but that was canceled after the attack on the World Trade Center. DiBenedetto, who also played at Tech, will get to see his team host a game for the first time today when it plays Clinton at noon.
“It’s going to be crazy,” said DiBenedetto, the driving force behind the project for nearly two decades. “I’ve waited for this day for so long, it’s like a daughter getting married. And then to have it tragically delayed makes this game even more meaningful.”
The game itself packs a punch, since Tech enters 3-0 and Clinton 2-1.
“This will definitely be our biggest test,” DiBenedetto said. “They’re a tough team and we’ve never won a home game.”
They will now. Prediction: Tech 22, Clinton 14.
Canarsie at Fort Hamilton, today, 12 p.m.: Canarsie has been a traditional power and expects to be there at the end, while Fort Hamilton is trying to get that level. Both squads are 3-0. Prediction: Canarsie 21,Fort Hamilton 6.
Mount St. Michael at Iona Prep, today , 1 p.m.: The Mount has been the surprise of the CHSFL, convincingly knocking off defending champ Farrell last week, while Iona Prep is as good as people thought it would be. Prediction: Iona Prep 21, Mount14.
Lehman vs. Bayside, at Clinton, today, 12 p.m.: You almost have to root for Bayside. Over the past two weeks, the Commodores have played nine overtimes (yes, nine) and lost both games. This time, they won’t get to the extra session. Prediction: Lehman 22, Bayside 6.
Holy Cross at Msgr. Farrell, tonight, 7 p.m.: Both teams need wins to keep their seasons afloat. Prediction: Holy Cross20, Farrell 14.
Other games: Today – 10 a.m.: New Utrecht vs. Tottenville, at Erasmus; 11 a.m.: Flushing at George Washington, Campus Magnet at Springfield Gardens; Kennedy at Long Island City; Columbus at Beach Channel; 12 p.m.: Port Richmond at Tilden; Curtis at South Shore; Bryant at Grand Street; Far Rockaway at Erasmus; New Dorp at Madison; John Jay vs. Evander Childs, at Boys & Girls; Midwood at Jefferson; Lafayette at McKee/S.I. Tech. 1 p.m.: Lincoln at Wagner; Sheepshead Bay at August Martin; Xaverian at Stepinac; Moore Catholic at St. Peter’s. 1:30 p.m.: St. Francis Prep at St. Anthony’s. 2 p.m.: Fordham Prep at Kellenberg. 7 p.m.: Cardinal Hayes vs. Holy Trinity, at Riverbank. 7:30 p.m.: Christ the King vs. Chaminade, at SJU. Tomorrow – 1:30 p.m.: Xavier at St. John the Baptist; 2 p.m.: Stuyvesant vs. Boys & Girls, at Kennedy.