Editor’s note: During the two weeks leading up to Week 1 of the  high school football season, VarsityWA is traveling around the state and  visiting preseason camps to catch up with some of Washington’s best  football programs. Follow along for updates throughout camp.

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KENNEWICK — One of the interesting aspects coach Randy Affholter changed  five years ago about his opening practice of preseason football camp at  Kennewick High School — all the Lions work on for the 45-minute morning  session is special teams.

By 8:45 a.m. Wednesday, the Lions were on their campus practice field in punt formation.

Junior  Carter Bendewald was the moving piece. First, he was one of the upbacks  calling out protections before the snap. And then, he was the punter —  booming kicks on the run and pinning the returner on one sideline.

CARTER BENDEWALD TALKS ABOUT HOW HE BALANCES TASKS

If you think that’s a lot of responsibility, take a look at what he is projected to do on offense and defense.

On  offense, right now he is the starting quarterback. Affholter hopes  eventually Bradley Parker will get prepared well enough to take the job  so Bendewald came move back to a “Slash” role as a quarterback, running  back and wide receiver.

On defense, Bendewald — who is 5-foot-11 and 180 pounds — will either play linebacker or strong safety.

Needless to say, he is the irreplaceable factor for Kennewick football heading into 2026.

“He does it all,” Affholter said. “Keeping him (healthy) is a big priority.”

Bendewald keeps his focus for a heavy workload simple.

“I try,” Bendewald said, “not to do everything at once.”