No sophomore is ever going to complain about making a varsity team.
At the same time, growing pains are an inevitable part of the transition.
“I was used to being the man out there and at first, I didn’t like the idea of not playing,” said Barrington junior wide receiver Dylan Bingham, one of 10 sophomores on last year’s varsity team. “After a couple of weeks, I realized that varsity was a completely different level and I needed that year of experience to learn the ropes and find my role.”
For the final game of the regular season, Bingham earned his first start at wide receiver. Previously, he was a reserve safety and played on special teams. Bingham impressed as a wideout and continued to earn the trust of now-senior quarterback Dan Kubiuk.
Bingham only had one reception in the Broncos’ season opener Saturday at Jacobs, but it was the biggest play of the game, a 77-yard touchdown reception on the opening possession of the second half. The Broncos went on to post a 22-15 victory in a game that was delayed one day because of inclement weather.
“Huge play in terms of momentum; it gave us a jolt of energy that carried us through the rest of the second half,” Barrington coach Joe Sanchez said. “Daniel made a great read to get the ball to Dylan. He made one guy miss and then used his speed. Dylan has made great strides and progress throughout the summer to learn the nuances of a new position.”
Added Kubiuk, “It was a read-option play and Dylan was the hot route. I saw the safety was 10 yards back and I got the ball to Dylan and he made a great move and gave us the touchdown we really needed.”
After catching the ball just a few yards in front of the line of scrimmage, Bingham tried to split the safeties. With the help of a stiff arm, he succeeded.
“Once I got past the safeties, I knew that was it,” Bingham said. “It was an unexplainable feeling when I crossed the end zone.”
Kubiuk said Bingham has made great strides as a receiver in the offseason.
“He can be a dynamic player because has speed and can make some guys miss,” Kubiuk said.
Bingham is excited to be back on the offensive side of the ball. As a freshman, he was a running back.
“I love having the ball in my hands,” he said.
The Broncos came through with the go-ahead score at the 1:45 mark on Dylan Abel’s 3-yard touchdown run.
Following an uncharacteristic 3-6 season, the season-opening victory was particularly satisfying. After dropping a number of close games last year, a more experienced Barrington team found a way to get it done against Jacobs.
“I think the kids are building on our tradition of playing for each other,” Sanchez said. “They showed what it takes to finish off a game against a quality opponent.”
