BEN MACHA - C/O 1951

FB/HB/DB/Returner

Ben Macha only faced defeat 3 times in his varsity career as a Brave, and he was one of the main reasons why. As one of the Braves original track stars, his speed was a lethal threat in all phases of the game. He is the only Brave to hold an offensive, defensive, and special teams school record placing him as one of the greatest CG football players to don the Blue & Gold. His 4 defensive touchdowns are double 2nd place in the record books. To top this, he had 7 total return TDs in his career and 5 in a single season. Macha was the most dynamic return threat in CG football history. He once raced 97 yards for punt return TD - the longest play in Braves history.

Macha never had more than 100 carries in a single season, but he made his carries count. He averaged 12.7 ypc his senior season. His 1950 season shattered school rushing records that held for approximately 7 years. See his senior and junior statistics below:


Senior Year:

1,103 Rushing Yards

12.7 YPC

1,468 All-Purpose Yards

19 Total TDs


Junior Year:

890 Rushing Yards

9.9 YPC

1,440 All-Purpose Yards

17 Total Touchdowns


Macha is one of only two Braves to have over 1,400 All-Purpose Yards in two separate seasons (Luis Hill c/o '71 the other).

Macha earned Central Kansas All-Star (Top 22 in the region) from the Topeka Capital Journal for his 1950 performance. That is the equivalent of all-state in a classification today.