Benet senior Martin Radgowski says his parents aren’t particularly musically inclined.
But they were encouraging when Radgowski and his older brother, Charlie, expressed interest in playing instruments.
“They were always huge on letting us get loud and making noise,” Radgowski said.
Radgowski started playing guitar when he was in the seventh grade, following the lead of Charlie, who attends Dayton and is part of a rock band.
Radgowski doesn’t have a band, but to paraphrase Bryan Adams, he tries real hard.
“I’m a big musician,” Radgowski said. “I play the guitar, bass guitar and drums. I play with Charlie sometimes. I play with anybody I can, really.”
Radgowski leans toward playing the alternative rock hits he picked up around his parents.
On the football field, he gives and receives hits.
Benet coach Pat New expected Radgowski would be a key player for the Redwings. Radgowski had played safety and wide receiver last year. But his offensive role has dramatically changed. New did some tinkering in the preseason and had Radgowski play running back.
“He played mostly DB last year and a little receiver,” New said. “We’re really pleased that he’s been productive at running back for us. That’s been great because we originally had him at receiver. We kind of put him (in the backfield), and then it was really his success in games which is what opened our eyes.”
The 5-foot-11, 170-pound Radgowski had never played running back before, but he wasted little time before making an impact. In the second game of the season, he rushed for three touchdowns and returned a fumble for another score in Benet’s 49-29 win against Moline.
“He’s been huge,” New said. “It opens up our whole run game, which is great. I think we were kind of deficient in that area last year, so it really helps the offense to have a running game.”
That showed during Benet’s most recent game. Radgowski again put on a show, rushing 17 times for 98 yards as the Redwings (4-0) defeated previously unbeaten St. Viator 23-16 last week.
Did he expect to contribute so much at his new position?
“Not to the success that I’ve had,” Radgowski said. “I knew I was going to be a defensive guy, and they kind of got me on offense playing receiver.
“Then they put me at running back and got some success at that, and that’s why I’m here now. We’ve had a lot of success with it.”
Radgowski said he enjoys carrying the ball, even though it means more wear and tear on his body.
“It’s a lot more hits, a lot more getting tangled up in the line,” he said. “But you get the ball more, and it’s more guaranteed carries, a little more success.”
Benet quarterback Ryan Kubacki Jr., who has benefited the most from the improved running game, isn’t stunned by Radgowski’s performance.
“There’s no surprise there to any of our teammates,” Kubacki said. “He’s put on about 15 pounds of muscle, and he’s been working his tail off. He’s just all over the field. Every time, Marty is making a play. That’s what I like to see.”
Radgowski was just as impactful, literally, on defense against St. Viator. He had to leave the field after delivering a hard hit in the third quarter but returned for the next series.
“He’s an incredibly tough guy,” Kubacki said. “He was getting banged up. He was flying around the sidelines making deflections on defense, coming in and catching a pass and running the ball, and he’s never complaining.”
Radgowski is also a talented volleyball player. He played the sport his first two years at Benet but concentrated on football as a junior. He said he might return for one final season in the spring.
An excellent student, Radgowski said he has a 4.34 GPA and scored a 30 on the ACT. He plans to major in computer engineering but is not sure whether he will play football in college.
“It all depends on the success of this season,” he said. “Since I’ve had a lot of success, it’s opening things.”
Will Radgowski’s future include music too?
“I’ll just go with the flow, see where it takes me,” he said.
New is sure Radgowski is going places.
“He’s a multitalented kid,” New said. “He’s got a bright future.”
Matt Le Cren is a freelance reporter.
