Freshman Trey Anderson runs to join his teammates in the huddle at midfield, his cleats making foot print in the grass trailing behind his quick steps. In a matter of seconds, he is commanding the group of 11, setting the play into motion.

Just one year removed from tearing his ACL, Anderson is the starting quarterback for the Royals. Trey is the second Anderson to line up under center for Bethel, as his father, Trent, played quarterback in the late 80s. Trent is now the women’s golf coach at Bethel.

Trey’s football career began in third grade playing for his dad. According to Trey, his dad had a big influence on his athletics career, including his decision to play quarterback.

“He let us call all of our own plays,” Anderson said. “You think you know better than your dad, but you don’t. He was able to teach me more than an average coach would.” The lessons passed from coach to player were more than Xs and Os between the lines. “The biggest thing he taught me was how to love on my teammates. He said I had to relax, and that everyone looks to the QB for stability.”

Although the stage is much bigger now, Trey’s still able to apply the same principles as the signal caller for the Royals.

“Football is a lot of confidence,” Anderson said. “Playing for my dad made me more confident that I could do more, do anything I wanted.”

The injury occurred shortly after the start of his senior season, when Anderson attempted to make a simple cut and his knee gave out. A high school stand out on the basketball court and track as well, Anderson was forced to forego his senior seasons in all three sports. He was crushed, taking in the year from the sidelines as colleges slowed their recruitment. That isn’t to say that Anderson didn’t grow as a player, however.

“It gave me more of an understanding of mental part of the game over always being physical and being in there. Watching from the sidelines you can see what you should be seeing,” he said. “Seeing it from a different perspective gave me a better understanding of the game and of just how you have an influence on people no matter where you are and how you can’t take that for granted.”

His mental approach is something his teammates noticed as soon he arrived on campus. Fellow freshman, running back Gunnar Bloom, said Anderson is “composed and calm” in games, calling him “mature beyond his years.”

Anderson said his favorite moment of the season was sharing a touchdown with Bloom in front of the home crowd against Carleton. As Bloom crossed the goal line, Trey shouted in excitement for his friend, and ran down to congratulate him.

Expectations on the gridiron have been sky high for the Royals lately, but Anderson doesn’t put any undue pressure on himself.

“I don’t hype it up. Don’t make it a bigger deal than it is supposed to be,” Anderson said. “Know that you are going to do your job the best you can.”

Perhaps most importantly, Anderson is confident he has the support of the whole team.

“The amount of love on the team covers up all the differences and makes the group have chemistry, and everyone can just be themselves,” he said.

The community at Bethel is the reason Trent came to play for the Royals in the 80s, and he’s excited his son gets to be a part of a loving team like he did.

“He a natural born leader, he doesn’t get too amped up,” Trent said about his son. “He is competitive but doesn’t let his emotions go wacko.”

Trey and the Royals are 4–2 on the season, and return to action on Oct. 24 in St. Paul against the University of St. Thomas. Kickoff is at 1 p.m.