by Steve Dunford

WEST FRANKFORT, IL –  My thoughts on this game were if Hamilton Page would pass for 250 yards plus the Benton Rangers would come away with the victory.  In my very unofficial stats he was 26-34 and passed for 323 yards, he also had 63 yards rushing on the afternoon.

The Rangers took advantage of five West Frankfort turnovers in the first half, and raced to a 28-0 lead at halftime, and went on to defeat the West Frankfort Redbirds this afternoon 47-14 this afternoon at Johnson Field in West Frankfort.  It was the 104th time these two teams have met, and I know it is about even over the years.  Benton has won the last three, and nine out of the last eleven.  It was also homecoming in West Frankfort,

On the first drive of the game the West Frankfort defense came out with some intensity as Benton was held to a six play drive, with Blake Engler picking up a big sack of Page rolling out of the pocket on 4th down and seven.

West Frankfort on the second play of their drive fumbles and gives the ball right back to the Rangers.

On a seven play drive Hamilton Page runs it in from seven yards at the 7:45 mark to put the Rangers on the board.  The extra point from Ian McMahon was good to put the Rangers up 7-0.

WF then gives it right back to Benton on the second play of the drive on another fumble.  The Redbirds get a quick stop.

After the Redbirds get the ball right back their ground game was effective.  On the first play of the drive QB Connor Eaton found Kyle Hammers for a 31 yard pass right off the bat.  That was the only yards the Redbirds would get in the air the rest of the day.  The Redbirds grind it out using their running game in eight more plays to  run out the clock in the first quarter with the score still being 7-0 Benton.

Immediately after the teams change sides, Eaton throws an interception.  A penalty riddled drive that was featured by a 36 yard run by Hamilton Page and the Redbirds take over own downs.

It then looks like WF is in business again with their ground game.  On the fifth play of the drive there is a Redbird fumble and Neal Carlton recovers deep in West Frankfort territory.

The Rangers have a quick three play drive with Page scoring another rushing touchdown with 5:26 to go in the first half.  The kick from McMahon was good to put the Rangers up 14-0.

The second play of the next drive, Connor Eaton was then intercepted  by Ty Gordon.

On a seven play drive Page has another run from five yards around the three minute mark of the first half, McMahon hits the extra point and it is 21-0 Benton.

On the first play of the next West Frankfort possession, Eaton is intercepted by Caleb Pemberton.  Then Page finds Cade Thomas for a 25 yard touchdown pass at the 1:28 mark of the first half.  The kick by McMahon was good and both teams go to the locker room with Benton up 28-0.

On the opening kickoff, Kyle Hammers has an awesome return that puts the Redbirds at the Ranger 15.  Madison Allen scores on a six yard run to get the Redbirds on the board.  The extra point failed and at the 10:44 mark of the third quarter, the score was 28-6, Rangers.

Page goes to the air and finds Joey Craig in the end zone on a very quick four play drive that Benton went to the air on.  The extra point was no good, and at the 9:51 mark of the 3Q the score was 34-6 Benton.

The teams exchange drives at West Frankfort puts together a good drive, Benton and West Frankfort exchange three and outs.

A punt that looked like it was from a Ranger deflection, gives Benton very good field position at the 22.  Blane Pankey rushes it in from the Redbird 18. The Kick from McMahon was good and the Rangers expanded the lead to 41-6 at the 3:45 mark of the third quarter.  It was starting to shape up like things could begin to get very ugly, and continuous clock was coming down the pike.

When the Redbirds get the ball back, Madison Allen rushes in for a 66 yard touchdown run on the third play of the drive.  Brendan Johnson runs in the two point conversion and the Redbirds cut into the huge Ranger lead 41-14.

Early in the 4th quarter, Hamilton Page rushes it in from the 18 to put the Rangers up 47-14, and that was the final on the afternoon.  Both teams began to mix and match starters and subs the rest of the way.

Benton Coach Bob Pankey had this to say about this afternoon’s win, “I can’t say enough about out our kids.  I thought they responded and bounced back well from last  week (the loss against Herrin). This group of seniors has played at a high level and in big games in multiple sports.” 

He also commented how receiver Bailey Hopson came up big for him and how he has improved throughout the year

West Frankfort Coach Brian Beery had this to say about this afternoon’s loss. “We did not execute, it is simple as that. They are a senior led team and they played like seniors.  We are a sophomore and junior led team and we played like sophomores and Juniors. 

Benton and West Frankfort have identical records of 1-1 in the SIRR Ohio, and 3-2 overall.  Benton hosts the Harrisburg Bulldogs on Friday, who were 34-14 winners at Massac County last night.  West Frankfort Travels to Murphysboro on Friday who fell to the Herrin Tigers 42-6 last night.

In the other game this afternoon the Vienna-Goreville Eagles defeated the Edwards County Lions, 19-13.

SCORE BY QUARTERS

Benton (3-2)(1-1)                     7     21     13     6   –  47

West Frankfort (3-2)(1-1)      0     0      14     0   –  14

Unofficial Stats

PASSING:

Benton:  Page 26-34  323, G.Gordon 1-2 4.  West Frankfort: Eaton 1-5, 31  2INT

RUSHING:

Benton:  Page 14-63, Pankey 6-29, Dunn 2-3.  West Frankfort, Allen 17-142, Eaton 15-58, Cooksey 4-17, Hammers 3-9

RECIEVING:

Benton:  Craig 5-89, Hopson 7-83, Thomas 5-49, Picklesmeyer 3-39, Stewart 2-35, Pankey 3-24 T. Gordon 1-4.   West Frankfort:  Hammers 1-31

TACKLES:  (assisted or unassisted)

Benton:  Pankey 8, Dunn 8, Carlton 7, Smothers 7,Sanders 3, Pemberton 3, Craig 2, Gordon 1, Stewart 1.  West Frankfort:  Souders 13, Brendan Johnson 10, Allen 7, Engler 6, Forgatch 6, Brock Johnson 5, VanZant 5, Cooper 4, Hammers 2, Kahl 2, Eaton 1, Croslin 1