Lethbridge athletes sign with University of Calgary football team GeoTv News

It was as simple as putting ink on paper for Ben Amante to begin his fledgling football career with the University of Calgary Dinos.

The 6-foot-8 forward from Central Catholic High School oozes energy on the line.

“It's a great feeling,” Amantea said. “This is probably the best feeling I've ever had playing football. So I'm really excited to do it.”

Amanthia said playing with the Dinos in Calgary is the best option for him and he hopes to enroll in a trade program.

He was named a 2022 Southern Alberta High School Football League All-Star and 2023 CCH Player of the Year. Both years, Amantea was a member of Team Alberta.

The decision to sign the O-line was an easy one for the Dinos' new head coach.

“The attraction to Ben is obvious,” Ryan Sheehan said. “Someone with that athleticism and size is something you always look for in a football program.”

On his way to Lethbridge Collegiate Institute, defensive lineman Tejan Berberich has also signed with the Dinos and is looking forward to studying kinesiology.

He said he wasn't sure he could play college football after a knee injury and multiple surgeries during his freshman season.

“After two years and four surgeries, I decided to wear mesh for the second half of this first season and it's been a really good decision so far,” Berberich said.

Sheehan was surprised he wanted to return to football.

“Resilience is huge,” the Dinos coach said. “I think sometimes young people give up on life when they have a hard time and I'm proud of him for coming back. I think he has a bright future.”

Both players will head to Calgary in the fall to begin the next chapter of their personal and athletic lives.

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