Derry quarterback is 1 of 11 on football field, 1 of 10 at home

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Friday, August 11, 2023 | 11:01 AM

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He comes from a big family — we’re talking jumbo package, here — so Mason Beeman is used to being in close quarters with a lot of people.

He also is used to earning his keep in a household where he is one of Michael and Trina Beeman’s 10 children.

The senior at Derry has earned a spot as a first-year starting quarterback for the Trojans. On the subject of close quarters, he will take them, especially if four of them lead to closer games. Anything that gives the Trojans a chance to win and begin a turnaround from a 19-game losing streak.

“I was a little nervous at first, but I am getting more comfortable with it, and more confident,” he said of playing QB.

A backup last year, he assumed the starting nod when Blake Revoir transferred to Latrobe.

Revoir, the leading passer and rusher last season for the Trojans, is not playing football at Latrobe.

Back to the Beemans: “I’m the fourth (sibling), and we range (in age) from about 30 to 2,” Beeman said.

Beeman has nearly the same head count at family dinners that he does at the line of scrimmage. His brothers and sisters are: Brett (28), Dakota (21), Dominic (19), Jaiden (14), Cameron (13), Jace (9), Braylon (5), Colton (3) and Michaela (2).

“I lose track of their ages sometimes,” Beeman said.

A strong-armed pocket passer who stands 6-foot-5 and weighs 210 pounds, his nickname is “Big Ben” — not “Steamin” Mason Beeman. (He has never seen “Any Given Sunday.”)

Beeman played about 15 quarters last year and started the Yough game.

“He runs the offense well, he’s a good leader, and he’s very smart,” Derry second-year coach Mike Arone said. “The kids all follow him. He is getting better with his decision-making. He has a decent arm, and he’s getting better.”

Beeman remembers his first pass attempt when he was a sophomore. It was a trick play.

“It was an (option play),” he said. “I took a screen pass and threw to Ahmad (Ward) downfield. The coaches liked it, and I started to work at being a quarterback from there.”

That meant offseason reps, watching film and learning the playbook. He fully gave himself over to the position.

Beeman, also a standout volleyball player, never played the position in youth football either, but now can’t imagine not lining up under center.

“I worked a lot in the offseason on my accuracy with coaches and receivers,” he said. “I learned about what I need to do in certain situations. I am learning the calls and what everyone is doing (in the offense).”

Junior Damauri Robinson, who led the Trojans with 20 receptions last year, believes he and Beeman can develop additional chemistry.

“He is very accurate,” Robinson said of Beeman. “He came from wide receiver, so he knows what to expect. I think we all want to play better as a team. Our line looks strong and is getting better.”

Beeman is working on getting the ball out faster, but some large humans up front should give him some time to be effective.

Derry brings back Maddox Bush (6-6, 300), Owen Monnich (6-0, 220), Jason King (5-11, 220) and Ethan Bendel (5-7, 210).

“It’s my last year here, so I don’t want to go out like we did last season,” he said. “The goal is to win some games and get back to the playoffs.”

While Beeman has shown poise dropping back, don’t discount his ability to runs for yardage.

“I am not the fastest, but I like to run the ball,” he said.

The playbook might allow Beeman to be effective in other ways than throwing the ball. He did, after all, play fullback, wide receiver, tight end and both inside and outside linebacker last year.

“He wants to run the ball,” Arone said. “With his size, he should be able to get us some tough yards. We have some power packages where he might be able to run the ball.”

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

Tags: Derry Area