John Benthin

Nov. 29, 2008. As he was walking around the field at Hillsboro Stadium that day, following his last high school football game for the Knappa Loggers — a 20-6 state championship win over Culver — John Benthin probably would not have been surprised if you had told him he’d still be playing football in 2016.

Playing, no … but for an Arena Football League team named the Los Angeles Kiss? Probably not, since the Kiss didn’t even exist in 2008.

At least not the football team. Of course, the rock group Kiss was still around. Actually, that’s where the football team gained its name, as the Los Angeles Kiss are under the ownership of Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, two of the four original band members of Kiss.

The team is based in Anaheim, and plays its home games at the Honda Center, also home to the NHL’s Anaheim Ducks.

“I love Los Angeles,” said Benthin, who recently wrapped up his first season with the football team. “Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley … they’re great people. Real nice guys. They went on tour about halfway through the season.”

Always a bummer, when the front office takes off to go on tour halfway through the season.

But Benthin doesn’t concern himself so much with the music as the football.

After graduating from Knappa, Benthin went to Western Oregon, had a brief tryout for the San Diego Chargers, and ended up in the Arena Football League.

After playing one game for the San Jose Saber Cats in 2015 before ending the season on injured reserve, Benthin was assigned to the Kiss in December after San Jose announced it would not field a team in 2016.

Arena football is a different game than your average NFL game, as far as strategies, formations and plays. But football is football, says Benthin. He can speak the language and play the game.

And play it well.

If anything, it’s tougher for a defensive lineman.

In arena football, quarterback sacks are almost nonexistent. After the ball is snapped, it’s usually out of the quarterback’s hands in less than 2 seconds.

“The game is a lot quicker,” Benthin said. “The ball’s out in 1.5 seconds every play. You have to beat your guy 100 percent clean just to make a hit. Sometimes the ball’s out in less than a second, so the chances of getting a sack are zero. It’s tough.”

After his 2014 tryout with the Chargers, Benthin didn’t make the team, but the experience was invaluable. And he hasn’t given up on the NFL.

“That’s the ultimate goal,” he said. “I’m basically playing in the minors, waiting to get called up. Guys (from the AFL) get picked up all the time. After our playoff, the Cleveland nose guard got picked up right after the game.”

From those Clatsop County state championship teams of 2008, only two players are still playing the game: Astoria High School’s Jordan Poyer with the Cleveland Browns, and Benthin.

Benthin is a free agent, and could end up anywhere next season, from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C., which was awarded a franchise (the Washington Valor) and will soon be selecting players in an expansion-style draft.

Benthin still hasn’t given up on his NFL dream, but for now, he enjoys the high-scoring, thrill-a-minute Arena Football League.

Just last year, the Kiss beat Jacksonville Sharks, Cleveland Gladiators, Portland Steel (twice), and won by scores such as 64-39, 66-27 and 63-61.

Los Angeles also lost to the Philadelphia Soul, 73-37, and after beating Cleveland twice during the regular season, the Kiss lost to the Gladiators in the first round of the playoffs.

Personally, “my first true season, getting to start every game … it wasn’t as great as I wanted,” Benthin said. “Everyone wants to be better.”

For arena players, it’s the offseason. And unless they’ve been lucky enough to get signed by an NFL team, the 2017 campaign doesn’t begin until March.

Benthin is spending his offseason in Knappa, offering his time and experience to the Logger team, serving as the line coach on Aaron Barendse’s coaching staff.

“I love this group,” Benthin said. “Aaron Barendse puts together a great staff, with Chris Geisler, Chad Harrington, Rusty Hebert and our new addition, Kirk Miller. It’s a great staff to work with.

“I’m really enjoying being able to share my knowledge of the game with the kids here. I’ve been to a lot of big cities, but there’s nothing like the hometown.”

And he says the Loggers have that same potential to be just as good as the ’08 version.

“We’re different than the team we had in ’08,” he said. “We passed the ball maybe 10 times the whole season. (Bryan) Sablan, Tevan (Klauser) and Eddie Corder were our running backs, and we basically ran the ball with those three.

“This (current) team is a little faster and not quite as big up front. But we definitely have a talented group.”

Next March, Benthin will suit up again, somewhere, and make the most of his opportunity in the AFL.

“I love it,” he said of the game he plays for a living, in whatever league it may be. “It’s something you dream about and never think will become a reality, but it’s working out so far.”

And the door to the NFL is still open — Benthin is just hoping to get his foot in for another shot.

“I’m still trying to work my way into that door. I’m not giving up any time soon, I can tell you that.”

— Gary Henley