NASHVILLE — A conference championship is the prize in a COVID-shortened, spring football season devoid of the playoffs. Nashville and Benton had an opportunity to go one better, as the two teams who had clinched at least a share of the Mississippi and Ohio division titles met for Southern Illinois River to River supremacy.

Cole Malawy threw for 348 yards and four touchdowns. He ran in a fifth TD to lead Nashville to a 42-28 win. Isaac Turner was Malawy’s favorite target, hauling in seven passes for 213 yards and two touchdowns.

Keegan Glover threw for 312 yards and four touchdowns for the Rangers, with both Ayden Newcomb (145) and Wyatt McClintock (112) going over 100 yards receiving.

Nashville jumped out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter on a pair of Malawy touchdown passes. The Rangers were playing catch up the rest of the day.

Benton cut the deficit to 21-14 by halftime and had the ball first in the third quarter, but Buzz Ritzel intercepted Glover. Malawy scored on a 12-yard run three plays later for a 28-14 lead.

Benton cut it 28-20 on Glover’s second TD toss to McClintock, but three more turnovers hampered any Rangers’ comeback attempt. Nashville capitalized with a Malawy to Nick Miller 54-yard touchdown to make it 35-20 after three quarters. Luke Ehret then scored on an eight-yard run in the fourth to make it a three score game at 42-20.

This was a game that wasn’t even on the schedule when the season started and took an act of God to make happen. Nashville was scheduled to host Massac County, while Benton was to host Sparta. Sparta informed Benton a few weeks ago that they would not play because of a lack of numbers, leaving the Rangers in search of a game for week 5. Nashville’s game with Du Quoin last Friday was postponed until Monday due to storms and referee availability. IHSA rules require four full days between varsity contests, meaning Nashville had to play Saturday. Massac County could not play Saturday. The solution saw Massac County go to Sparta, and Nashville host Benton in a pseudo-conference championship game.

Both teams are now 4-1. The Hornets and Rangers will close out their seasons Friday by trying to win their division titles outright. Nashville will travel to Anna-Jonesboro, while Benton will host Herrin.