2025 Player Profile: Getting to know Canon-McMillan OT Ben Gottschalk

Let’s get to know Ben:

How long have you been playing football?

I have been playing since third grade.

Why did you start playing football?

Always loved watching it on tv and wanted to play as soon as I got the chance.

Do you have a personal goal this year and if so, what?

Win the 6A WPIAL championship,

Who or what is your biggest motivation and why?

Making my family proud and helping the team have success. Because my family has supported me since the day I started playing and especially as an offensive lineman so much of what you do directly correlates with the success of a play and game.

What is a favorite moment with the team or play you remember from your high school career?

Our overtime win against Mt. Lebanon last season is a personal favorite. Being able to come back from down 8, with less than 2 minutes left, to force overtime and my teammate Ethan grabbing a walk off interception was special.

What are you going to miss the most about the class of 2025?

There were a lot of guys in that class I’d played with for a long time. I will miss the connection I had, especially with some of our 2025 lineman.

How do you think your role and leadership on the team has changed now that you are going to be a senior?

I have become a lot more confident in myself and comfortable with my teammates. It is become a lot more a second home and family than it was when things started.

What do you love about playing football for Canon-Mac?

Being able to play for Coach Evans is a really special experience. He is battling some medical problems right now, that he has beaten before and certainly will again, but I can not wait for the rest of the WPIAL to see the team he had such a huge part in developing and can play with anyone in the league-a belief he has given all of us.

Do you have any advice for underclassman?

Every players development and path is a lot different. My advice to our underclassman would be to trust that process and not become so focused with playing as much as the preparation you put in to get there.

What is your favorite pre-game song?

Thunderstruck by Metallica is a great one.

What is your pre-game routine?

Outside of my normal stretching, I try to get some pass sets in-first steps on run game and after that just get ready to play.

Do you have any game day superstitions?

I do not have any real superstitions. I usually park in the same spot at the stadium, but I did not really realize that till a couple weeks in!

What do you do for fun when not playing football?

Me and my dad love ATV riding & our big auto racing fans. Anything involving watching sports or being with friends is great as well.

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?

Charleston, South Carolina.

What is your dream job (besides a professional football player)?

Being a general manager of an NFL or MLB team.

What is your favorite subject in school?

History.

If you could have any person (living or not) come to one of your games, who would it be and why?

I would pick Sidney Crosby. He is one of my favorite athletes of all time and would be cool to meet.

What is your favorite sports stadium you have ever visited?

Ohio Stadium in Columbus.

Do you have any pets and if so, what?

I have two shih tzu dogs, Nellie & Teddy.

What is your favorite part of being a Canon-Mac student?

All the friends I have met over the years.