BENTON — The Benton Rangers can’t wait to play a game on their brand new turf at Tabor Field. This week was originally scheduled to be the Franklin County showdown with rival West Frankfort. With the IHSA moving football to the spring, the Rangers will have to wait to play any games, including the rivalry game against the Redbirds.

Wanting to make sure a season happens at some point, a contingent of about 20 Benton coaches and players made the trip to Springfield this past weekend to take part in the #LetUsPlay rally at the capitol. Illinois is the only state in the Midwest that is not playing high school football this fall.

Across the country, several states that had originally moved their fall seasons to the spring have changed course and reinstated fall sports, with Minnesota being the latest Monday. Governor J.B. Pritzker says that will not happen in Illinois.

Despite the unlikelihood of a season happening in the fall, the Rangers are using their contact practice days to get better so they will be ready when the season rolls around.

Right now, official practice is scheduled to begin in mid-February with a seven-game regular season schedule starting in March.