Josh Overman and Ben Vanderheyden
On any given Saturday afternoon the Johnnies entertain and create excitement on both sides of the ball. An integral part of the Johnnie offensive attack is their passing game featuring seniors Josh Overman (3) and Ben Vanderheyden (89).
Tight end and wide-out Josh Overman hails from Albany, where the Johnnie offensive line coach Jim Mader had a successful high school coaching career, (228-64 over 24 years). ” I never played for Jim Mader.” Josh explained, “He asked me to go out for football my freshman year, but I had no plans to play football. I played basketball and golf. Mader retired from Albany before my sophomore year when I actually did go out for football. I didn’t get to play that year, but my junior year I played tight end and safety, and when I was a senior I played tight end and linebacker.”
Wide receiver Ben Vanderheyden went to Wayzata High School, playing receiver on two state tournament teams – winning the state championship his senior year. “Ben Dimond and I talk about the Wayzata-Minnetonka state championship game when I was a junior. Ben played for Minnetonka and they won that year (2004). My senior year we beat Cretin-Derham Hall 28-24 for the championship. Some say it was the greatest high school game ever played.”
Vandy #83 in the 2005 title game
Why St. Johns? “I visited some DII schools, Winona, North Dakota, and UMD”, recalled Ben, “The people at St. Johns were so welcoming and hospitable, I just fell in love with the place. And game day at St. Johns? There is no comparison”. Overman had a similar experience. ” I visited DII schools also, but I thought there was no point in working that hard. Besides, it is every kids dream from Albany and other schools in the area to play for St. Johns. I came here hoping to play receiver, but I found out I was too slow and couldn’t run routes, so I went back to tight end.” Vandy replied, “What does that say about me?, we have the same 40 time.” “Well, its the routes, then”, quipped Overman.
When asked about the difference between high school football and the college game, Ben quickly answered, “Here, the coaches rely on you much more. You’re expected to give feedback on what you are seeing on the field, and be ready to answer questions the coaches may have regarding the defense.” Overman added that he is “..having more fun than high school. I mean, I enjoyed the experience, but I don’t remember it as being fun. Now, I realize what a big deal it is to play for John, and I am having a great time.”
Mention John Gagliardi and both of these fellows light up. “John is an icon.” says Overman. ” He commands so much respect. He is Johnnie Football. He sees stuff no one else sees. John watches tons of film and has a big role in how we approach an opponent.” It is the lighter side of the famous coach that gets Josh animated. “He watches so much film, and he doesn’t miss anything. I remember one time he came up to me, and says ‘hi, how’s it going?’, I said ‘..fine, John.’, and he looked at me and said, ‘then why the hell did you miss that block on that D Back?.’”
“John recognizes when you are going to make a mistake.” Offered Vandy, “he is very observant, and has a full picture in his head of what is going on.”
Being a Johnnie starter can come with a little fame attached. Josh tells of a recent encounter: “I am talking to some random kid, and we start talking about football, and Vandy’s name came up. I told him that I knew Vandy and this kid says, ‘You know Vandy, really?. you know Vandy?’ Everybody thinks he is such a big deal. Nobody knows who the hell I am.”
There is an obvious difference in the offense of this year compared to last year. “Many times it was 3 and out last year, now we are having long drives, running and passing the ball”, said Vandy. “We are much more confident and Joe (Boyle) has a great command of the schemes. He knows what and when to call, whether to go left or right. He pretty much calls the plays. Sometimes he will see something, and just tell me what direction to run and he will throw the ball downfield.” Overman sees a much more aggressive team this year. “The offense and defense are just hitting harder. Last year, we just didn’t seem to hit very hard, this year we are challenging people and hitting much harder. When you hit somebody, things happen.”
Overman scores at Concordia
With the obvious improvement of the offense this year, and the ever-present stingy defense, the success of both efforts has resulted in a much greater sense of team unity. “I remember late in the St. Thomas game, we were going on the field and needed to score. Stanton came up to me and said, ‘believe it, we are gong to win.’ When the defense has faith in you, that really helps.”
Watching fine young men like Josh and Ben, we can enjoy Saturday afternoons with confidence in the future. Their parents, coaches and school can be very proud of these boys, and I appreciate what they deliver to us each week.
Yea, I know Vandy…and Josh.
