Benjamin Franklin Opens 2026 With Dominant 38-6 Win Over Dysart

Benjamin Franklin entered the 2026 season with unfinished business.

After finishing as the 3A state runner-up last season, the Chargers opened their new campaign Friday night with a 38-6 road victory over Dysart, the same program they faced in the opening round of last year's playoffs.

Benjamin Franklin took a 21-0 advantage into halftime and paired a balanced offense with a defense that repeatedly disrupted Dysart.

Senior quarterback Gavin Wyler led the Chargers through the air, completing 14 of 23 passes for 193 yards and three touchdowns. His three touchdown passes went to three different receivers: David Kleinman, Trent Dutkiewicz and Cooper Sorenson.

Kleinman led the receiving group with four catches for 79 yards and a touchdown. Dutkiewicz added four receptions for 30 yards and a score, while Sorenson caught two passes, including another touchdown.

The Chargers found similar success on the ground. Senior Aaron Dwiggins carried the ball eight times for 92 yards and a touchdown, averaging 11.5 yards per attempt. He added three receptions for 30 yards to finish with a team-high 122 yards from scrimmage.

While the offense produced 307 total yards, Benjamin Franklin's defense made life difficult for Dysart throughout the night.

The Chargers recorded 11 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks while intercepting three passes. Andrew Goddard finished with seven tackles, three tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. Tyler Sather led the team with eight total tackles and added 2.5 tackles for loss.

The secondary contributed to the disruption as well. Andrew Stebnicki Snower, Cooper Sorenson and Brody Madsen each recorded an interception, with Madsen returning his pick 10 yards.

The turnovers had an impact beyond simply ending Dysart possessions.

"It really builds up our offensive mentality and gives us a ton of support," Cash Hughes told Sharp Shooter Media. "Our boys just locked in on defense. It makes us wanna put in maximum effort to make plays and reward the team for their efforts."

Hughes was responsible for one of the Chargers' biggest defensive plays of the night. On a Dysart punt return, he forced a fumble, recovered the loose ball and took it back for a touchdown. MaxPreps credited Hughes with a 27-yard fumble recovery return. He also contributed offensively with a 46-yard reception.

Benjamin Franklin's special teams added another dimension. Senior Nathan Stineman sent all seven of his kickoffs for touchbacks, averaged 50.7 yards across three punts and connected on a 43-yard field goal. He also went 5-for-5 on extra points.

For a team coming off a trip to the 3A state championship game, however, the focus goes beyond starting the season 1-0. Hughes said finishing what the Chargers started last season is discussed regularly within the program.

"We talk about finishing the job almost every day," Hughes said. "Coaches tell us to do 'your job,' which helps the team to focus just on our responsibilities and to trust in the rest of the team to do theirs as well."

That message also shapes how the Chargers are approaching a season in which expectations extend well beyond Week 1.

"Collectively as a team, I know we try to focus only on what's in front of us and to take it one week at a time," Hughes said. "Stay focused on what matters now in time."

Benjamin Franklin leaves Dysart with a 38-6 victory and a 1-0 record. After finishing one win short of a state championship last season, the Chargers' first performance of 2026 showed the balance that has made them one of the teams to watch in 3A: 307 yards of offense, four forced turnovers and six points allowed.