Melbourne Central Catholic senior Grady Bonenberger entered high school with limited football experience. When he did play football, he was a quarterback before an injury forced him to change positions.
“I really didn’t play much football when I was younger except like flag. I played just one year of Pop Warner, but since freshman year I’ve been grinding,” Bonenberger said. “In eighth grade, I was throwing it around and I popped my elbow out of place and it was just never the same. I just can’t throw it the same.”
Bonenberger has since emerged into one of the premier pass catchers in the county. As he enters his senior season, he will look to lead the Hustlers deeper into the state playoffs.
“I’ve never been so excited,” Bonenberger said. “My past couple years have been a little rocky, but now we have a new coach, good quarterbacks and I’m excited for it.”
In three seasons at MCC, Bonenberger recorded 51 receptions for 891 yards and 10 touchdowns. He’s coming off his best season after catching 31 passes for 493 yards and 6 touchdowns.
“I’ve had a lot of good players in front of me, so I’ve just been watching them and they’ve been helping me a lot,” Bonenberger said.
Bonenberger is a rare three-sport athlete playing football, basketball and track and field. He’s averaged 8.9 points and 4.8 rebounds per game in two varsity seasons. In the spring, Bonenberger earned three state track and field medals in the long and high jumps and the 4x100 relay.
“I just play a lot of sports. I just feel like I can do it,” Bonenberger said. “I play basketball, I do track and it just helps me with just being an athlete. I played every single sport growing up. I just had nothing else to do.”
Bonenberger said he’s still undecided of where he’ll play college football next year. He said he’s not really thinking about recruiting right now.
“Still just trying to get a couple more (offers),” Bonenberger said. “This year’s got to be my year. I’m really trying to work hard and get some more.”
After reaching the regional semifinals last season, the Hustlers are looking to win a region title for the first time since 2016.
“My goal is for us to win,” Bonenberger said. “I think we can win the whole entire thing.”
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Dandy Dozen: Grady Bonenberger's injury sparked a productive career