Danny Czerwinski
Section618.com
BENTON – Two teams trying to remain atop the River to River Ohio battled in Harrisburg as Benton paid a visit to renovated Taylor Field. A game with plenty of drama, intrigue, big plays, and turnovers late ended with the Rangers leaving town with a 24-21 win over the Bulldogs.
This one started with a bang. Benton’s Isaiah Ward returned the opening kickoff 92 yards to the Harrisburg 3-yard line. On the very first play from scrimmage, before many fans even got into their seats, Benton quarterback Tiffin Kouzoukas plunged in from three yards out giving the Rangers a 7-0 lead 17 seconds into the game.
Harrisburg needed just 1:36 to answer, covering 80 yards in three plays. Karmello Downey’s 73-yard touchdown run plus the extra point made it 7-7 less than two minutes into the game.
Like last week versus West Frankfort, the turnover bug caught up to Benton. After a fumbled snap that Harrisburg recovered, the Bulldogs capitalized with a 41-yard touchdown pass from Owen Rain to Tevin Godsey for a 14-7 lead after the first quarter.
Benton’s defense stopped Harrisburg on downs with two minutes left in the first half. The Rangers then drove 50 yards in five plays with Kouzukas connecting with Grant Owens for a 22-yard touchdown pass making it 14-14 at the intermission.
Benton then regained the lead in the third quarter as Jesser Zepeda booted a 28-yard field goal to put the Rangers up 17-14.
However on the ensuing possession, the Bulldogs would get the lead right back. Downey capped an 80 yard, six play drive with his second touchdown run of the night. Downeys 35-yard TD gave Harrisburg a 21-17 lead at the end of three quarters.
Big games need big plays for a team to win, especially on the road. Benton did just that. The Rangers started a drive on their own 40 yard line. Facing fourth down and in punt formation, the Rangers dug into their bag of tricks. Zepeda faked the punt and found AJ Craven for a 17-yard pass completion and first down to continue the drive.
12 plays, 60 yards, and more than six minutes later, the Rangers took the lead for good when Kouzukas found Lucas Kinsman for a 5-yard touchdown pass. Trailing 24-21, Harrisburg tried to mount a potential game-winning drive, but it ended on a Lukas Wilson interception to seal the win for the Rangers.
Benton improves to 5-1 overall and 3-0 in Ohio Division play. The Rangers have won five in a row overall and 13 straight in conference play. They will travel to Massac County next Friday night. Harrisburg drops to 4-2 overall, 2-1 in the Ohio Division. The Bulldogs will travel to Murphysboro next Friday night.